Berlin TehranHealthcare professionals for Germany

Nurses from Türkiye: pathways to working in Germany

Last updated: Berlin Tehran editorial team

In short: Nurses trained in Türkiye can work in Germany after recognition of their qualification by the federal state where they will work and German at B2. Türkiye is not on the WHO safeguard list. German exams are offered by the three Goethe-Instituts in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, and visa appointments at the German missions in Türkiye are handled through the service provider iDATA.

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 Türkiye allowed?

Yes. Türkiye 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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).
  3. Close the gaps: choose a knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or an adaptation course (Anpassungslehrgang) – see knowledge test or adaptation course?
  4. 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.

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 Türkiye

The Goethe-Institut has three institutes in Türkiye (official list):

  • Istanbul: Yeni Çarşı Cad. 32, Beyoğlu
  • Ankara: Atatürk Bulvarı 131K/1, Çankaya
  • Izmir: Mithatpaşa Caddesi No: 907/2, Göztepe

Other accepted providers (telc, ÖSD, TestDaF, ECL) also run licensed centres; check the provider’s own centre search.

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 missions in Türkiye

Visa appointments are booked through iDATA, the external service provider of the German missions in Türkiye; the national visa application itself can be prepared online in the Auslandsportal. Check the missions’ page on employment visas before you book.

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.

Bilateral programmes

There is no Triple Win programme for Türkiye; Triple Win currently recruits from the Philippines, Tunisia, Indonesia and Kerala and Telangana (India). Private recruitment is permitted.

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.
  • 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 Türkiye. 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

Türkçe: Türkiye’den Almanya’ya hemşire rehberi · Almanya’da hemşire olmak · çalışma vizesi ve iDATA

Related guides

Frequently asked questions

Where can I take a German exam in Türkiye?

At the Goethe-Instituts in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, or at licensed centres of other accepted providers such as telc or ÖSD.

How do I book a visa appointment?

Through iDATA, the external service provider of the German missions in Türkiye. Prepare the national visa application in the Auslandsportal.

Is there a government programme for Turkish nurses?

No. Triple Win does not cover Türkiye. You can apply to employers directly or through a recruiter that does not charge nurses.

Which German level do I need?

Usually B2 for the nursing licence; A2 is the legal minimum for a recognition partnership.

Sources (official, as of October 2026)