German for nurses: requirements, exams and the path to Germany

Germany is looking for nurses: the opportunity is real

Germany has a structural shortage of nursing staff (Pflegekräfte). Hospitals, care homes and home-care services hire thousands of foreign professionals every year, and Latin America is one of the most common regions of origin. But the path is demanding: German and degree recognition are the two filters.

What level of German you need

• B2 general (telc or Goethe certificate) for degree recognition in most federal states.
• Fachsprachenprüfung (FSP): a medical-German exam taken in Germany before the competent authority. It tests patient conversations, shift handover reports and documentation.

Some states accept B1 to start as an auxiliary while you finish the process, but the real goal is B2 + FSP.

Recognition (Anerkennung) of your nursing degree

1. Apply for recognition in the federal state where you will work.
2. The authority compares your training with the German one. If there are "substantial differences", you get two options:

• Kenntnisprüfung: a knowledge exam.
• Anpassungslehrgang: an adaptation course with supervised practice.

1. With recognition and B2/FSP you receive the German professional title Pflegefachfrau / Pflegefachmann.

Since 2024 there is also the Anerkennungspartnerschaft: you start working with a specific employer while finishing your recognition.

How much does a nurse earn in Germany?

Salaries vary by state and collective agreement, but as a guide: a qualified nurse usually starts at around €3,000–3,500 gross per month, plus supplements for night shifts and weekends. Auxiliaries in the adaptation period earn less.

The path step by step

1. German up to B1 in your home country (6–12 months of serious study).
2. B2 and nursing-specific preparation.
3. Apostille and sworn translation of degrees and documents.
4. Recognition application and employer search (many clinics sponsor the process).
5. Skilled worker visa or Anerkennungspartnerschaft.
6. In Germany: FSP and, if needed, the Kenntnisprüfung or adaptation course.

Common mistakes

• Studying only "general German" to the end. From B1 onwards, mix in medical German: anatomy vocabulary, handover reports, patient conversation.
• Signing with agencies that charge the candidate. In Germany the employer usually covers recruitment costs; distrust anyone asking you for thousands of euros.
• Underestimating the FSP. Many people fail it the first time; you can retake it, but practise the format with mock exams.

How we help at Moin Alemania

We run German courses aimed at healthcare professionals and support recognition and arrival. See our courses and our migration support.

Official sources: [Make it in Germany](https://www.make-it-in-germany.com), [Anerkennung in Deutschland](https://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de). Verified in October 2026.