Why Germany is looking for nurses
An ageing population and the lack of a new generation to replace retiring workers keep demand for nurses high in hospitals, care homes and home care. For a Spanish professional it is a market with almost guaranteed employment if you meet the requirements.
Requirements: recognition and German
The two filters are recognition of your qualification and your German level. Neither can be skipped:
Key points
- Recognition of your qualification (Anerkennung) before the authority of the Land where you will work
- German B2 for full recognition; B1 as a minimum starting point in many cases
- Job offer from a German healthcare centre
The Triple Win programme
It is the most widely used route from Spain. The German government programme, managed by GIZ, recruits healthcare staff from abroad with a guided process that includes the language course, preparation for recognition and placement in a hospital.
As a Spanish citizen you do not need a visa or work permit, which simplifies the whole procedure compared with professionals from outside the EU.
Salary and conditions
A nurse with a recognised qualification in a public hospital earns between €51,000 and €68,000 gross a year, depending on experience, region and collective agreement. Full time, that is between €2,900 and €4,000 gross a month.
On top of that there are 25 to 30 days of holiday, social contributions covering healthcare, pension and unemployment, and the possibility of progressing within the sector's collective agreement system.
First steps from Spain
Start with the language until you reach a B1-B2 level, apply for the Anerkennung of your qualification and look for an employer that manages the process. Many hospitals cover the German course and part of the paperwork if you sign a contract.
Having the recognition process underway before you arrive puts you in a much better position to negotiate salary and location.
