Short answer: It depends
Yes, once your nursing qualification is recognised against the German Pflegefachfrau or Pflegefachmann qualification and you reach B2 German; with an offer you then move on the Skilled Worker Visa (Qualified). If you are not there yet, the recognition partnership lets you start working in Germany with A2 German and finish recognition on the job. The EU Blue Card does not apply to nursing.
The programmes that apply to nurses in Germany
Fees, salary floors and processing times below come from the official sources in Transita's visa database. Processing is an estimate from the published figure, not a promise.
| Programme | Fee | Salary floor | Processing | Job offer | PR after |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker Visa (Qualified) | $100 | None set | 2–5 months | Yes | 4 years |
| Job Seeker Visa (Chancenkarte) | $100 | None set | 2–4 months | No | No direct route |
- Skilled Worker Visa (Qualified): The work permit for a nurse with full recognition and a job offer. Also the permit family that the recognition partnership route sits in.
- Job Seeker Visa (Chancenkarte): Lets you look for a nursing job in Germany. You cannot work as a registered nurse until recognition is complete.
Step one: recognition and German
The federal recognition portal lists general nurse as regulated in Germany. According to Make it in Germany, your qualification is compared with the German reference occupation (Pflegefachfrau, Pflegefachmann or Pflegefachperson), and you apply to the competent authority in the federal state where you plan to work. Once granted, recognition is valid across Germany.
Full recognition requires German at B2 or higher.
The recognition partnership: arrive first, finish recognition later
The recognition partnership lets you move before recognition is complete. The Recognition in Germany portal sets three conditions: a nursing qualification that is state-recognised in the country where you trained, German at A2, and an employer in Germany. You then work for that employer while you complete recognition, with full recognition expected within a fixed maximum period.
For many nurses this is the realistic route, because it removes the wait between learning German at home and finding an employer.
Fees and timeline
The skilled worker permit costs $100, processing takes about 2–5 months and the permit runs for up to 4 years. It can lead to permanent residence after 4 years. Recognition runs alongside and is often the longer part, so start it first. For how Germany compares with other countries for nurses, see the best countries for nurses.
Who sponsors nurses in Germany
Transita does not hold a German sponsor register. For the recognition partnership the employer is one of the three conditions, so the employer you choose matters as much as the visa. Ask how it supports recognition before you sign.
The Transita sponsor register collects the official sponsor lists we hold, so you can check an employer before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
Can I work as a nurse in Germany with a foreign qualification?
Yes, after your qualification is recognised by the competent authority in the federal state where you will work. Nursing is a regulated profession in Germany.
What level of German do nurses need in Germany?
B2 for full recognition. The recognition partnership route starts from A2, with the rest completed while you work.
Can nurses use the EU Blue Card in Germany?
No. Make it in Germany states that the EU Blue Card does not apply to nursing professionals. Nurses use the skilled worker permit or the recognition partnership.
What is the recognition partnership for nurses?
A route that lets you move to Germany and work for an employer while you complete recognition. It needs a state-recognised nursing qualification from your country of training, A2 German and an employer.
How much does the German skilled worker visa cost for nurses?
The government fee in Transita's data is $100, with processing of about 2–5 months.
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- Can I Move to Germany as a Software Engineer? Blue Card 2026
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- Every visa route to Germany
Plan your recognition and visa together
Transita keeps the recognition steps, German milestones and skilled worker documents in one plan, so you know what to start first. Answer 8 questions and your routes, documents and dates are set up for you. Free.
Build my workspaceofficial sources: §18a AufenthG · make-it-in-germany.com·§§20a, 20b AufenthG · auswaertiges-amt.de