In short: Filipino nurses can work in Germany after recognition of their BSN and reaching the required German level. Philippine rules allow private recruitment for Germany only through agencies licensed by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) – and without a placement fee for nurses. The government programme Triple Win also recruits Filipino nurses through the DMW.
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.
Two official channels
- Triple Win (government-to-government): run by the Federal Employment Agency and GIZ together with the DMW. Selection rounds are announced by the DMW.
- DMW-licensed private agencies: the Philippine authorities (then POEA, now DMW) allowed licensed agencies to recruit nurses for Germany without charging them a placement fee. Check the agency's licence on the DMW website.
Recognition and language
Your BSN is compared with the German nursing qualification by the competent state authority. Gaps are closed with a knowledge test or adaptation course. For the full licence, German at B2 is generally required, often with a nursing-specific exam.
Visa and contract
Most Filipino nurses enter with a concrete job offer, for example via the recognition partnership (§ 16d (3)). Philippine rules also require the employment contract to go through the overseas employment process (including verification by the Migrant Workers Office) before departure – your agency or the DMW will explain the current steps.
Changing employers in Germany
The Philippine Embassy in Berlin has warned about offers that target Filipino nurses already in Germany to change employers, with misleading salaries or failed permit processing. Verify any such offer with the Migrant Workers Office in Germany before you resign.
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.
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Next steps
- Check in 2 minutes: can I work as a nurse in Germany?
- Nurse net salary calculator 2026
- City guides: Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Cologne
- All country guides
Related guides
- Country guides overview
- Ethical recruitment: WHO list and employer pays
- Recruitment fees and scams
- Knowledge test or adaptation course?
- Apply with Berlin Tehran
Frequently asked questions
Do Filipino nurses pay a placement fee for Germany?
According to the Philippine rules for Germany, licensed agencies may not charge nurses a placement fee. The German state seal "Faire Anwerbung Pflege Deutschland" also follows the employer-pays principle.
How do I join Triple Win from the Philippines?
Watch for selection rounds announced by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and read the official Triple Win page for the Philippines.
What German level do I need?
Generally B2 for the full licence, often with a nursing-specific exam; for the recognition partnership, A2 at entry.
Can Berlin Tehran recruit me directly in the Philippines?
Recruitment in the Philippines must go through DMW-licensed channels. Contact us and we will tell you honestly how we can support you within these rules.