In short: These guides explain, country by country, how qualified nurses get to Germany: recognition, German level, local German exams, the visa route and the bilateral programmes that really exist. We only publish guides for countries that are not on the WHO Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List – for those 55 countries, § 38 BeschV bans private recruitment into health professions, and we respect that.
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.
Free tools: Can I work as a nurse in Germany? (eligibility check) · Nurse net salary calculator 2026 · City guides: Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Cologne
New and updated: Iran, Türkiye, Jordan, Egypt and the Western Balkans
Iran
Recognition, B2, the German Embassy Tehran’s TLScontact waiting lists and the § 81a fast track.
Türkiye
Recognition, B2, Goethe-Institut exams in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, iDATA appointments.
Jordan
Recognition, Goethe-Test PRO Pflege in Amman, Auslandsportal visa, status of Triple Win.
Egypt
Recognition, Goethe exams in Cairo and Alexandria, embassy Cairo via TLScontact, EGC advice.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Recognition, Goethe in Sarajevo, § 16d / § 18a and what the Westbalkanregelung does not cover.
Serbia
Recognition, Goethe in Belgrade, country-specific documents, Westbalkanregelung explained.
Albania
Recognition, Goethe-Zentrum Tirana, VisaMetric appointments, Westbalkan waiting times.
Kosovo
Recognition, Goethe-Zentrum Prishtina, VisaMetric, why Westbalkan approvals take longer.
Asia, Africa and Latin America
Philippines
DMW-licensed agencies and the DMW no-placement-fee rule, Triple Win, recognition and German B2.
India
Recognition of BSc/GNM, German B1–B2, visas, Triple Win in Kerala and Telangana.
Indonesia
Recognition of D3/bachelor nursing degrees, German B2, visas via Jakarta, Triple Win.
Tunisia
Recognition of the nursing bachelor, German B2, visa via Tunis, Triple Win.
Vietnam
Paid nursing training in Germany (§ 16a), recognition for qualified nurses, language and visas.
Kenya
The 2024 Kenya–Germany migration partnership, recognition, German B2 and licensed recruiters.
Morocco
Recognition, German B2, visa via Rabat, THAMM Plus context, fair recruitment.
Brazil
Recognition of your nursing degree, German B2, visas; APAL for nursing apprentices.
Mexico
Recognition of your nursing degree, German B2, visas; APAL for nursing apprentices.
Colombia
Recognition of your nursing degree, German B2, visas; APAL for nursing apprentices.
Government programmes at a glance
- Triple Win (Federal Employment Agency and GIZ): Philippines, Tunisia, Indonesia, Kerala and Telangana (India) – as listed on the Triple Win website in October 2026.
- APAL (Federal Employment Agency): nursing and medical apprentices from El Salvador, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia and Ecuador.
- Westbalkanregelung: work in non-regulated jobs for nationals of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia – not a substitute for nursing recognition.
Where you will live matters too: see our city guides for the recognition office, rents and pay in Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt and Cologne.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there no guide for my country?
If your country is on the WHO Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List, § 38 BeschV bans private recruitment into health professions, so we do not publish recruitment guides for it. For other countries we add guides over time.
Which countries have a government nursing programme with Germany?
Triple Win currently lists the Philippines, Tunisia, Indonesia and the Indian states of Kerala and Telangana. APAL places nursing apprentices from El Salvador, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia and Ecuador.
Is the German level the same in every country?
Yes. The licence usually requires B2 everywhere in Germany; only the exam centres differ by country.
Sources (official, as of October 2026)
- WHO Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List 2023
- § 38 BeschV – no recruitment from WHO-list countries
- Triple Win (BA and GIZ) – current partner countries
- Federal Employment Agency – APAL nursing apprentices from Latin America
- Federal Employment Agency – Westbalkanregelung (processing dates as of 14 Oct 2026)