For nurses
How to become a nurse (Pflegefachkraft) in Germany
Explore nursing recognition, language evidence and work while you wait, then create your personal roadmap.
Free, no account needed. Supported professions get a personalized roadmap; others can join the waitlist.
The example is for Nurse. Other qualifications on this page have separate requirements.
Services
How we help you
The three services that help most in your profession. You find all others in the overview.
Recognition and the Erlaubnis for nurses
The nursing title and certain core care-planning tasks are regulated. The Erlaubnis lets you practise under the protected title across Germany.
A general-care nursing qualification covered by EU automatic recognition rules follows that route. Paediatric and geriatric nursing have separate protected titles; other qualifications may need an individual equivalence assessment.
If substantial differences remain, the authority names the applicable compensation measure. Depending on the route, this can be an adaptation period or a knowledge or aptitude test.
Which title is yours?
The protected nursing titles are separate. Your Erlaubnis names the one that matches your qualification.
General nursing
Pflegefachfrau / Pflegefachmann / Pflegefachperson
Paediatric nursing
Gesundheits- und Kinderkrankenpflegerin / -pfleger / Gesundheits- und Kinderkrankenpflegefachperson
Geriatric nursing
Altenpflegerin / Altenpfleger / Altenpflegefachperson
Documents and German-language evidence
Check the competent authority’s list. Typical requirements are:
- Nursing qualification, curriculum and placement hours in acute hospital care, long-term care, outpatient care and relevant paediatric or psychiatric settings.
- Professional licence, registration and practice evidence where applicable.
- Identity, reliability and health documents requested by the authority.
- B2 German; the accepted certificate or specialist exam depends on the state.
- For the EU automatic route, the required conformity or acquired-rights evidence. Provide certified copies and translations as requested.
How long recognition takes and what drives the cost
The decision period begins when the file is complete. Automatic EU recognition can be decided within three months; third-country individual assessment is generally up to four months, with extensions possible.
A compensation measure, if required, adds time. Fees, translations and language evidence vary by state and case.
- EU automatic route
- Usually up to 3 months from complete application
- Individual assessment
- Generally up to 4 months; extensions may apply
- German
- B2; proof varies by state
Which office decides in your state
Apply to the competent nursing authority in the state where you intend to work.
| Federal state | Recognition office |
|---|---|
| North Rhine-Westphalia | Bezirksregierung MünsterMünster |
| Bavaria | Bayerisches Landesamt für PflegeAmberg |
| Baden-Württemberg | Regierungspräsidium Stuttgart - Referat 98 - Landesanerkennungsstelle für GesundheitsberufeStuttgart |
Confirm the authority and route for your specific nursing qualification before filing.
Working while you wait: Pflegehelfer and Anerkennungspartnerschaft
Care assistant work may be possible while recognition is pending, but the protected nursing title and reserved tasks require the Erlaubnis. Your role and supervision must match the permission you hold.
An Anerkennungspartnerschaft may allow qualified applicants with an employer to begin the recognition process after arrival. Check eligibility and residence requirements for your case.
Nurse salary in Germany: the TVöD pay table
Municipal hospitals and care homes pay nurses from the TVöD pay table. Gross monthly pay from 1 May 2026:
| Pay grade | Role | Gross per month |
|---|---|---|
| P 7 | Nurse with at least three years of training | €3,510.30 to €4,305.40 |
| P 8 | Particularly demanding nursing work, or practice instructor with the required teaching qualification | €3,701.21 to €4,488.98 |
| P 9 | Nurse with completed specialist training (Fachweiterbildung) working in that specialty | €3,992.39 to €4,662.42 |
On top, each month: a care allowance of €141.82 and a flat allowance of €25 (€35 in Baden-Württemberg). New staff usually start at step 2 of their grade; credited relevant experience can place you higher. You then move up with time in the grade.
The table applies to employers bound by the TVöD, mostly municipal hospitals and care homes. Other employers pay under their own agreements or contracts, so compare any offer with it.
Source: TVöD, Anlage E (Pflegedienst), valid from 1 May 2026
Nurse jobs in Germany
Hospitals, care homes and outpatient care services employ nurses. Apply for roles that match the title you hold or are being recognised for: general, paediatric or geriatric nursing.
Questions we hear most
Check your roadmap
Check availability for your profession. Build a free roadmap where supported, or join the waitlist.
Check roadmap availability