Nurse salary in Germany 2026: realistic figures
Gross, net, collective agreements, allowances and living costs: the numbers you can use to make your decision for Germany, without marketing promises.
Every offer with salary and location in the employment contract before you travel
Nursing salaries in Germany 2026
| Situation | Gross per month (full-time) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse in recognition (before the licence) | €2,800 to €3,200 | Usually graded as nursing assistant with allowance; rises with the licence |
| Registered nurse in a hospital, collective agreement (TVöD-P, entry) | €3,400 to €3,800 | Plus shift, night and weekend allowances, annual bonus |
| Registered nurse in a care home (collective or church agreement) | €3,200 to €3,800 | Since 2022 care homes must pay at collective-agreement level |
| With allowances (night, weekend, public holiday) | +€300 to €600 | Depending on the shift model |
| With specialist training (ICU, theatre, anaesthesia) | €3,900 to €4,600 | Training in Germany possible after recognition |
| Ward manager, practice instructor | from €4,500 | After a few years of experience in Germany |
Guide values from employment contracts of our placements, collective agreement tables and the pay atlas of the Federal Employment Agency, as of 2026. Your employment contract, which you receive before you travel, is binding.
What is left after tax
From €3,600 gross, a single nurse (tax class I, no church tax) keeps about €2,450 net. Rent, electricity, internet and transport come off that; health insurance is already included in the net figure. Typical warm rents for a two-room flat: €600 to €900 in medium-sized towns, €1,100 to €1,500 in Munich, Frankfurt or Stuttgart.
- Health, pension, care and unemployment insurance are already deducted in the net figure
- Child benefit of €255 per child per month (2026) comes on top
- Many employers provide transitional housing or pay allowances
- Pay rises come with the licence, with allowances and with further training
Salary compared with your home country
For nurses from India, the Philippines, Turkey, Latin America, the Arab countries or the Balkans the German salary is a multiple of the level at home, combined with a permanent contract, regulated hours and 30 days of leave. What matters, however, is the net after rent: we calculate it with you for the specific city before you sign and say openly where Munich and Hamburg are more expensive than Saxony or Lower Saxony.
Frequently asked questions
Do I get the full salary during recognition?
No, usually somewhat less, because the licence is still missing. €2,800 to €3,200 gross is common. After recognition the salary rises to the level of recognised colleagues; we have that written into the employment contract.
Is my salary fixed in the contract before I travel?
Yes. You sign the employment contract with salary, working hours, leave and location before the visa application. The Federal Employment Agency checks that the conditions match those of German employees.
How much leave do nurses have in Germany?
At least 20 days by law for a five-day week; 30 days under collective agreements are common. Public holidays come on top, 9 to 13 per year depending on the state.
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.
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