Berlin TehranHealthcare professionals for Germany

Ethical recruitment of nurses for Germany: WHO list, fees and fair practice

Last updated: Berlin Tehran editorial team

In short: German law allows only the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) to recruit or place health and care workers from the 55 countries on the WHO Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List 2023. Private agencies, including Berlin Tehran, may not do this. For all other countries, Germany's state quality seal "Faire Anwerbung Pflege Deutschland" sets the standard: recruitment must be free of charge for nurses (employer-pays principle).

Note: This page provides general information and is not legal advice. The law and the decisions of the competent authorities are decisive; rules can change. As of October 2026.

Why there is a protected-country list

The World Health Organization (WHO) publishes a list of countries whose health systems have too few doctors, nurses and midwives. The current WHO Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List 2023 names 55 countries. WHO asks recruiting countries not to actively recruit health workers from them, so that their own health systems are not weakened.

Germany made it law: § 38 BeschV

Germany turned this recommendation into binding law. Under § 38 of the Employment Ordinance (Beschäftigungsverordnung, BeschV), recruitment in, and job placement from, the countries listed in its annex for health and care occupations may only be carried out by the Federal Employment Agency. The annex mirrors the WHO 2023 list. In practice this means: any private agency that recruits nurses from these countries for Germany is acting unlawfully.

The 55 countries are: Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Micronesia, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Samoa, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Always check the current official annex, as the list can be updated.

What this means if you are from one of these countries

  • You are still allowed to move to Germany and work as a nurse on your own initiative – the law restricts recruiters, not you.
  • Agencies may not recruit or place you. If an agency offers to do so, treat that as a warning sign.
  • You can use official, free channels: the Federal Employment Agency's International Placement Services (ZAV), the "Make it in Germany" portal and the recognition portal "Anerkennung in Deutschland".

Our policy at Berlin Tehran

Berlin Tehran is a private service. We therefore do not recruit or place healthcare workers from any country on the § 38 BeschV list, and we do not advertise to these countries. If you apply from one of them, we will point you to the official channels above instead.

The employer-pays principle and the "Faire Anwerbung Pflege Deutschland" seal

"Faire Anwerbung Pflege Deutschland" is a state quality seal owned by the Federal Ministry of Health. It is awarded as an RAL quality mark to recruitment agencies and employers that pass an audit. Its core rules include:

  • Employer pays: nurses must not pay any costs directly or indirectly connected with the placement – this covers agency fees and related costs such as language training and flights.
  • Full transparency about the process and contact persons.
  • Key rights and duties in writing, in a language the nurse understands.

The official list of seal holders is public. As of 11 October 2026, Berlin Tehran is not on that list, and we do not claim the seal. You can and should check any agency against the list yourself.

Government programme: Triple Win

The Federal Employment Agency and the German development agency GIZ run "Triple Win", a government-to-government programme for nurses. Its current partner countries are India (states of Kerala and Telangana), Indonesia, the Philippines and Tunisia. If you live in one of these places, compare Triple Win with any private offer.

How Berlin Tehran helps

We help healthcare professionals prepare their documents in an orderly way and coordinate with employers in Germany, following a transparent 8-step process with up to 90 days of support after arrival. We are specialised in Iran and support healthcare professionals from all countries where private recruitment is permitted. We do not provide legal advice; authorities make all decisions.

Apply as a healthcare professional Our ethical recruitment rules

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Frequently asked questions

Can a private agency recruit nurses from Nigeria, Ghana or Pakistan for Germany?

No. These countries are on the annex to § 38 BeschV. For health and care occupations, only the Federal Employment Agency may recruit or place workers from these countries.

Can I still work in Germany as a nurse if my country is on the WHO list?

Yes. The rule restricts recruiters, not individuals. You can apply for recognition and jobs on your own and use official free channels such as the Federal Employment Agency (ZAV) and Make it in Germany.

Should I pay an agency to get a nursing job in Germany?

Under the employer-pays principle of the state seal "Faire Anwerbung Pflege Deutschland", nurses should not pay placement-related costs. Ask any agency in writing who pays what before you sign anything.

Does Berlin Tehran hold the Faire Anwerbung seal?

No. As of 11 October 2026 Berlin Tehran is not on the official list of seal holders, and we do not claim it.

Sources (official, as of October 2026)