Nurses from Egypt to Germany: recognition, B2, Cairo visa

In short: Egyptian nurses can work in Germany after recognition by the federal state where they will work and German at B2. Egypt is not on the WHO safeguard list. The Goethe-Institut runs exams in Cairo and Alexandria; the German Embassy Cairo is responsible for applicants who live in Egypt and books employment-visa appointments through TLScontact.

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.

Is recruitment from Egypt allowed?

Yes. Egypt is not on the WHO Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List 2023 (55 countries; checked on 18 October 2026). For countries on that list, § 38 of the German Employment Ordinance (BeschV) bans private recruitment and placement into health professions. Berlin Tehran follows this rule.

Recognition path

Apply to the authority of the federal state (Land) where you will work. Each Land has its own recognition office; our city guides name the office for Hamburg, Berlin, Bavaria, Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia. You can apply from abroad.
Equivalence check. The authority compares your nursing qualification with the German nursing training (Pflegefachfrau/Pflegefachmann, § 40 PflBG). If there are substantial differences you receive a deficit notice (Defizitbescheid).
Close the gaps: choose a knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or an adaptation course (Anpassungslehrgang) – see knowledge test or adaptation course?
Licence (Berufserlaubnis). At the end you prove German language skills, health and a clean criminal record. Only then may you work as a registered nurse.

The German Embassy Cairo asks for Egyptian documents in translated, certified and legalised form (embassy checklist for nurses, as of March 2022).

Documents: see the documents checklist and processing time and costs.

German language levels

B2 is the usual level for the nursing licence. Hesse, for example, accepts Goethe-Zertifikat B2, Goethe-Test PRO Pflege, telc Deutsch B2 or B2 Pflege, ÖSD B2, TestDaF level 3, ECL B2 and the FSP Pflege exam.
A2 (“hinreichende Deutschkenntnisse”) is the legal minimum for the recognition partnership under § 16d (3); many employers expect more.
For a visa for an adaptation measure under § 16d (1) you need German matching the measure – as a rule at least A2.

More: German for nurses.

German exams in Egypt

The Goethe-Institut Egypt offers exams in Cairo and Alexandria. Other accepted providers (telc, ÖSD, TestDaF, ECL) may also have licensed centres.

Visa routes

§ 18a – recognised nurse. Recognition completed (or no deficits) plus a job offer.
§ 16d (3) – recognition partnership. Enter with a job offer and German A2, then complete recognition while working for your employer. See recognition partnership explained.
§ 16d (1) – adaptation measure. With a deficit notice you come to Germany for the course or the knowledge test.
§ 81a – accelerated procedure. Your employer can start it at the immigration office in Germany; see § 81a explained.

German Embassy Cairo

The embassy is responsible for applicants whose habitual residence is in Egypt. For employment visas you book your appointment with TLScontact; the embassy says national visas often take several weeks to months because authorities in Germany are involved. Its checklist for nurses with a partial recognition asks for the deficit notice and proof of registration for the adaptation course or knowledge test.

Since 1 January 2025 national visas can be applied for online through the Federal Foreign Office’s consular services portal (Auslandsportal) at all German visa sections; an in-person appointment remains necessary.

Programmes and advice

The Egyptian-German Centre for Jobs, Migration and Reintegration (EGC) in Cairo, run with GIZ, gives advice on regular migration to Germany. The Federal Employment Agency’s THAMM Plus project with Egypt focuses on technical trades, not nursing. There is no Triple Win nursing programme for Egypt.

Timeline: what the official sources say

Recognition decision: usually a few months after the file is complete – Hamburg’s service page states up to four months (up to two months in the accelerated procedure), Berlin’s about three to four months, NRW’s two to four months.
Accelerated procedure (§ 81a): the recognition authority should decide within two months; after the pre-approval, the visa appointment should be given within three weeks and the visa decision as a rule within another three weeks.
Embassy Cairo: several weeks to months for national visas (embassy information).
German B2: depends on your starting level and course intensity – plan this first, because it is usually the longest step.

See the step-by-step timeline.

Free tools: Can I work as a nurse in Germany? (eligibility check) · Nurse net salary calculator 2026 · City guides: Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Cologne

How Berlin Tehran helps

Berlin Tehran is based in Hamburg, with a team in Iran. We have no office in Egypt. 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 do not provide legal advice; authorities make all decisions.

Apply as a healthcare professional Our ethical recruitment rules

Related guides

Frequently asked questions

Where do I apply for the visa?

At the German Embassy Cairo if you live in Egypt. Book the appointment for employment visas through TLScontact.

Do my documents need legalisation?

The embassy’s checklist for nurses asks for Egyptian documents in translated, certified and legalised form.

Is there a government nursing programme for Egypt?

No Triple Win programme. THAMM Plus covers technical trades. The EGC in Cairo advises on regular migration.

Where can I take a German exam?

At the Goethe-Institut in Cairo or Alexandria, or at licensed centres of other accepted providers.

Nurses from Egypt: pathways to working in Germany