In short: Recognition, rents and pay differ by federal state and employer. These guides cover five large cities: who recognises your nursing qualification there, what the official rent index says, how public transport works and which collective agreements the big public hospitals apply. Berlin Tehran has one office, in Hamburg; we do not have local offices in the other cities.
Note: general information, not legal advice. Rents, pay and rules change; check the linked official sources. As of October 2026.
Hamburg
LPA recognition (online application), rent index 9.94 €/m², HVV, UKE – and Berlin Tehran’s only office.
Berlin
LAGeSo recognition (164 € fee), rent index 7.71 €/m², BVG, Charité and Vivantes.
Munich
LfP Amberg for all of Bavaria, rent index 15.38 €/m², München-Zulage at München Klinik.
Frankfurt
HLfGP Hesse, rent index 12.28 €/m², TV-UKF at the university hospital, TVöD at Höchst.
Cologne
Two-step NRW procedure (Münster, then Cologne), rent ranges 4.20–17.90 €/m², TV-L at Uniklinik.
What is the same everywhere
- German at B2 for the nursing licence.
- The Deutschlandticket (63 € per month since January 2026) is valid in every city.
- Pay follows the employer’s collective agreement – check with the net salary calculator.
Coming from abroad? Start with the eligibility check and the country guides.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is best for international nurses?
There is no single answer: Munich pays a city allowance at München Klinik but has the highest rents; Berlin has the lowest rent index of the five; NRW has a two-step recognition. Compare recognition, rent and the employer’s pay agreement.
Do I apply for recognition in the city where I will work?
In the federal state where you will work. Bavaria (LfP), Hesse (HLfGP) and NRW (ZAG-PuG) have one office for the whole state; Hamburg and Berlin are city-states.
Does Berlin Tehran have offices in these cities?
No. Our only office is in Hamburg, with a team in Iran.