DIH Recruiting · Free placement for registered nursesFor employersFor nurses
For registered nurses from abroad

Work as a nurse in Germany: free placement with a signed contract before you travel

German hospitals, rehabilitation centres and care homes are looking for registered nurses. We place you with vetted employers, manage recognition, German course and visa, and stay with you on WhatsApp.

Free for you · Reply within 48 hours · English, German, Turkish and more

Nurse holding her passport before travelling to Germany
€0placement fee for you
Contractbefore you travel, with salary and location
350+professionals supported since 2020
7 languagesadvice on WhatsApp

Requirements

What matters is your qualification, your experience and your willingness to learn German, not your passport.

Qualification

State-recognised nursing qualification: Bachelor (4 years), diploma or a programme of at least three years. A four-year Bachelor makes the equivalence check much easier.

  • B.Sc. Nursing, GNM (India), BSN (Philippines)
  • Hemşirelik Lisans (Turkey)
  • Licenciatura en Enfermería (Latin America)
  • Licence / Bachelor (Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco)
  • Medical secondary school plus practice (Balkans)

German

A1 or A2 is enough to start. We plan your path to B1 (entry) and B2 (licence) with you, including nursing terminology and exam preparation.

  • Online courses and partners in your country
  • Employer often covers the course
  • telc, Goethe or ÖSD certificates

Experience and attitude

Hospital experience in ICU, theatre, geriatrics or psychiatry is a plus. More important than a specialisation is your readiness for a new country and a new team.

  • Police clearance and medical certificate
  • CV in German format (we help)
  • Video interview with the employer

How it works

Authority processing times are outside our control. We still state them openly.

1

WhatsApp consultation

Diploma, experience, German level, preferred region. You get an honest assessment and a timeline.

1 to 3 days
2

Documents and German course

Certified translations, CV, language course to B1/B2. We organise and accompany.

2 to 9 months
3

Employer and contract

Introduction to hospitals or care homes, video interview, employment contract with salary and location before you travel.

2 to 4 weeks
4

Recognition and visa

Application to the state authority, deficit notice, accelerated skilled-worker procedure under § 81a through the employer.

2 to 4 months
5

Arrival and start

Housing, registration, bank account, health insurance. Start as nurse in recognition, then full licence.

4 to 6 months overall with B1/B2

What to expect in Germany

Salary and security

Collective-agreement salary in hospitals from about €3,400 gross as a recognised nurse, shift allowances, 30 days of leave, permanent contracts. Slightly less during recognition, full rate after the licence.

Salary in detail →

Recognition with support

If your training differs from the German one, you close the gap through a knowledge test or an adaptation period while already working. We coordinate school, authority and employer.

Recognition and German →

Family and future

Family reunification in the same procedure, child benefit, permanent residence after a few years. Many of our nurses bring partners and children within the first year.

Visa and family →

Where our nurses come from

TurkeyIndiaPhilippinesMexico, Colombia, Brazil, ArgentinaTunisia, Egypt, Jordan, MoroccoSerbia, Bosnia, North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo

No recruitment from countries on the WHO safeguards list. Your country of training counts, not your nationality.

Frequently asked questions

Does the placement cost me anything?

No. DIH does not charge nurses a placement fee. The employer in Germany pays our fee after the contract is signed (employer-pays principle). Translations, authority fees and language exams are costs within the process; many employers cover part of them, and we put that in writing before you sign.

Which qualification do I need?

A state-recognised nursing qualification: Bachelor (B.Sc. Nursing, BSN, Hemşirelik Lisans, Licenciatura en Enfermería), diploma or a programme of at least three years such as GNM. Hospital experience helps. We check your documents free of charge before you apply.

How much German do I need?

The German states require B2 for the full licence. For entry into the adaptation period most states accept B1; with a recognition partnership even A2 is enough. Many employers finance the course; we connect you with subsidised courses in your country and online.

How long does it take until I can travel?

With B1 or B2 typically 4 to 6 months; starting from zero German 12 to 18 months including the language course. The accelerated skilled-worker procedure (§ 81a) shortens the visa stage to a few weeks.

Can my family come with me?

Yes. Spouses and minor children can join you, often within the same procedure. Requirements are adequate housing and secured income. We discuss this in the first conversation.

Ready for the first step?

Send us a photo of your diploma and your CV on WhatsApp. We reply within 48 hours with an honest assessment.

Send your application

Required fields are marked. Attach your CV and diploma as PDF or photo, or send them later on WhatsApp.