Preparations after recruitment

Once a company has successfully recruited a nursing professional from a country outside the EU for a position in Germany, the intensive phase begins, during which entry into Germany as well as living and working arrangements must be prepared.

This marks the beginning of a process that is often underestimated in terms of time and effort, during which formalities must be completed that are necessary for entering Germany and starting work as a nursing professional. Depending on the countries involved, various review and approval authorities must be involved. The following areas or processes need to be coordinated:

• Employment contract

The employment contract plays an important role in the procedure for the immigration of the professional as well as for the relationship between employer and employee. Employers should send the employment contract to the foreign professional in writing – in German, English and ideally also in their native language before starting work.

• Visa for Germany
  

Third-country nationals require a visa for entry that entitles them to take up paid employment. The visa procedure is preceded by procedures required for a residence and employment permit as well as for the recognition of the equivalence of the foreign professional qualification.

The duration of visa procedures can vary greatly in some cases and depend on the type of procedure chosen. There are predefined deadlines for the fast-track procedure for skilled workers (according to § 81a AufenthG). For the procedures outside of § 81a AufenthG, the time window for a visa application appointment varies depending on the capacity of the respective German mission abroad. Longer waiting times will be published on the websites of the embassies concerned, so that applicants and institutions can take this into account during their plans.

The Foreign Office’s Auslandsportal provides basic information on visa procedures and entry requirements for Germany. Users can find guidance on different visa categories as well as the application process.

• Recognition procedure

You can find information on the recognition procedure at Organisation of the recognition process.

• Knowledge of German language

For the issuance of a visa to participate in a compensatory measure in Germany under § 16d of the Residence Act (AufenthG), German language skills at level B1 are often sufficient. Further language skills can be developed once in Germany.

The requirements regarding language proficiency for obtaining a professional license to practice are currently being revised. In some federal states, a specialized professional language exam in nursing at level B2 must be taken. In other states, general language skills at level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) are sufficient.

Since 2024, several federal states have begun introducing or preparing specific professional language exams for foreign nursing professionals. The purpose of these exams is to assess job-related language competence at level B2 according to the CEFR. In some states, these professional exams replace the previously recognized general B2 certificates, while in others they complement them.

This federal inconsistency means that foreign nursing professionals must meet different requirements for professional recognition depending on the federal state. It is therefore advisable to review the specific requirements for the relevant state individually and well in advance.

General information can be found here, and further details are available under Promoting Language Development.

• Approval of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency)

In order to obtain a residence permit the nurse needs to have a job. The Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency) also examines the suitability of the compensation measures for the recognition of the foreign vocational qualification. In the case of public or state-accredited educational institutions as well as publicly funded or certified measures, you can assume that they will be assessed as suitable. The Ausländerbehörde (Immigration Office) and the diplomatic mission abroad adopt the examination result of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency).

You can find more information via this Link.

Experience has shown that the processes of document management, visiting the authorities and learning the language can take a long time. Only when these processes have been completed can the date of leaving/arrival actually be bindingly organised. This joint undertaking can then move to the next planning phase, for the recruiting company and the nurses. Until this point is reached, the recruiting company should find a way to keep in reliable, close and professional contact with the new employees who, at this point, are still living in their country of origin. To this end, a contact person should be appointed in the company, who can stay in touch with the future employee. If it is possible to use this time constructively, a robust trustful relationship can develop and many topics can be discussed for the time following entry into Germany, and the respective preparations can be made.

Companies should use the period of document management and waiting to enter Germany to adapt to the new situation. As well as the preparations after the recruitment, the Welcome Culture & Integration Toolbox covers other topics that can be prepared before the arrival.

To make productive use of the waiting period before entry, employers can direct newly arriving employees to information resources for initial orientation in Germany.

The Goethe-Institut’s website “Mein Weg nach Deutschland” provides newly immigrated nursing professionals with accessible, practical information on topics such as language, work, housing, and daily life in Germany. By sharing these resources early, employers can effectively support the orientation and integration of their future employees even before their arrival.

The website “Make it in Germany” is the federal government’s central portal for international skilled workers who want to live and work in Germany. It offers information on entry, visas, recognition of foreign qualifications, and includes a job portal. Additionally, it provides individual advisory services and practical assistance. Professionals can also find guidance on everyday life in Germany, such as finding housing, childcare, or language courses.