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FAQ

 Which documents do I have to submit?

curriculum vitae, passport photo, copy of your diploma, language certificate (if existing)

2. Which language level is required?

Language level B1 is required in order to apply for the visa. Level B2 is required for the job recognition. However, we already conduct interviews in your national language before you start your German language training

3. Which obligations do you have towards us?

You have no obligations towards us. We expect you to be honest, reliable and fair.

4. How long does the whole process take?

The duration of the whole process from the first contact to the actual start of work is different in every federal state of Germany. The process consists of the following steps:

  • process of application (interview, job contract),
  • language course (as needed; 0 to 8 months),
  • process of labour market admission (about 1-2 months),
  • waiting period for an embassy appointment (1-3 months; depending on the country),
  • process of job recognition (about 3 months)

We openly offer you all this information, which reflects the current experience of affairs, because openness and transparency are our top priorities.

5. Do I have to complete a hospitation? If so, who will bear the costs?

A hospitation will only take place if the employer requires or you yourself ask for it. Many of our clients bear the costs of your journey incl. Overnight stay up to max. 250€.

6. What is my salary as a nursing assistant?

As a nursing assistant your gross monthly salary will be about 2.000€ plus 20-30% allowances (such as extra shifts, night shifts etc.).

7. What is my salary as a nurse with a German job recognition?

As an officially recognized nurse your gross monthly salary will be (depending on the country) between approx. 2.300€ and 2.600€ plus 20-30% allowances (such as extra shifts, night shifts etc.).

In Germany there is no nationwide standardized salary. There are numerous wage agreements which only differ slightly from each other regarding the listed wages. Therefore the salary levels depend upon the wage agreement of the respective hospital. The individual particulars of each candidate (working experience, special qualifications etc.) play a role for the classification into the different salary levels. As a result of this we can only try to give you a first impression based on an example:

In the health care sector there are different wage agreements, but the gross monthly salary for a “normal” working time (about 38,5 hours per week) is approximately between 2.300€ and 2.600€. Usually there are extra allowances (mostly plus 20-30%) for longer working hours (especially for taking on weekend-shifts). How much net income will be left over from the gross income depends on different personal conditions, especially the family status and the involved tax class.

Here we present two example calculations:

status July 2018 (all data in Euro)

Example no.1Example no.2
gross salary2.300,00 €2.800,00 €2.300,00 €2.800,00 €
social contributions:
       statutory pension insurance217,35 €264,60 €217,35 €264,60 €
       unemployment insurance34,50 €42,00 €34,50 €42,00 €
        health insurance188,60 €229,60 €188,60 €229,60 €
        nursing care insurance29,33 €28,70 €29,33 €28,70 €
income tax278,50 €412,75 €74,66 €188,50 €
solidarity surcharge15,31 €37,14 €0,00 €0,00 €
church tax25,06 €22,70 €6,71€0,00 €
net wage1.511,35 €1.762,51 €1.748,85 €2.046,60 €

In case of a submission of a tax return at the end of the year, parts of the paid income tax can be refunded. It is worth mentioning here that the personnel will benefit from all the advantages of the German social system (especially health insurance) and will be entitled to pension and leave.

8. Will work experience be expected?

That depends on the employer. Work experience increases the prospect of a faster job recognition (for non-EU-countries).

9. Do I receive with an EU-degree in nursing a job recognition straight away?

The necessary documents have to be submitted to the district government. Your job recognition depends on the notice of the government. A German language certificate with level B2 is essential for the job recognition.

10. As a citizen of a non-EU-country, will I receive a German job recognition straight away?

For the authorization to work in Germany as a nurse a job licensing (also called “job recognition” or “use of a professional title”) is required. In order to receive the German job recognition, you have to have your foreign qualification recognised by the government.

During the recognition process the responsible recognition authority will verify the equivalence of your foreign work qualification with a German reference profession (there should not be any significant differences). In order to evaluate this, the responsible authority needs certificates and documents that inform (amongst other things) about the contents and the duration of your qualification. Your working experience is also of relevance.

There are mainly three types of job recognition to be distinguished: full recognition, partial recognition and no recognition. “Full recognition” means your qualification is equivalent to a German reference profession. “Partial recognition” means there are relevant differences between your qualification and a German reference profession. In this case you can receive the full recognition by completing an adaption training period or certain compensatory measures successfully. “No recognition” means the  differences between your qualification and the German reference profession are too significant.

If your own personal job training differs too greatly from the German job training for nurses concerning the total number of educational hours, the equivalence of the educational level is not fulfilled.

An equivalence can only be identified if there are no relevant differences between your qualification and the German qualification standards for nurses.

The German job training for nurses lasts for about three years and is completed by passing a State examination including oral, written and practical aspects.

It is composed of theoretical and practical courses (at least 2.100 hours) and a practical education period in the form of practical training in hospitals, ambulant care facilities, stationary nursing facilities or rehabilitation centres (for at least 2.500 hours).

If  there are essential differences between your qualification and a German reference profession you can still receive the job recognition by either passing a knowledge examination or by completing an adaption training period successfully (which finishes with an examination in the form of a concluding conversation about the contents of the training period).

One of these two alternatives can be chosen.

The knowledge examination is organised and carried out by state-approved schools following the Nursing Act. The examination is composed of a practical part (nursing situation in stationary care) and an oral  part (based on case examples).

Further details depend on the accreditation notification of the respective federal state. We will explain the contents of the notification to you and support you choosing the appropriate adaption measure in order to receive your job recognition.

It is important to note here that the adaption measures are performed during normal working hours. Until the completion of the chosen adaption measure (knowledge examination or adaption training period) you will be working as a nursing assistant and receive a monthly gross salary of about 2.000€ plus 20-30% allowances (such as extra shifts, night shifts etc.).

After you have received your German job recognition your monthly gross salary will be raised up to about 2.300€ – 2.600€ plus 20-30% allowances (such as extra shifts, night shifts etc.).

11. Will the employer provide accommodation?

Unfortunately, only a few employers have their own accommodation facilities for their staff. If necessary, we will find a temporary accommodation for our applicants (usually a furnished room).

12. Will the employer pay for food?

In Germany employees usually pay for board themselves. Occasionally, in retirement homes or hospitals there is a chance of receiving low-price meals in the canteens.

13. What are the usual working- and holiday-periods?

The regular working week comprises about 38,5 hours; five weekly working days are standard. Usually nurses work in one, two or three shifts (early shift, late shift and night shift). It depends on the employer, but it will certainly be agreed upon by contract. Weekend shifts are also common (these will be compensated for by off-work days during the week). The annual leave consists of 26 to 30 days (depending on the wage agreement).

14. Will I receive an open-ended employment contract?

All German employers are interested in a permanent, long-term employment relationship and mostly start with a probation period of 6 months. After that the employment contract is usually unlimited. Occasionally the employment contracts are limited to one year, but these contracts will automatically be extended.

15. Will aid money be provided for EU-citizens?

Yes, it will. The costs for language training, for travel expenses (in order to attend job interviews) and also moving expenses are partially reimbursed by aid money. We can assist and support you with that.

16. Who can help me with my health insurance?

We will help you with your health insurance and support you during the related registration process.