A guide to Studying Nursing in Germany as an International Applicant

TL;DR

• You can qualify as a nurse in Germany through paid vocational training or a qualifying nursing degree.
• A nursing degree can combine an academic qualification with professional nursing qualification, but check that the specific course does both.
• Entry routes differ: verify school qualifications, German level, practical placements and application steps for each provider.
• Already a nurse abroad? Check professional recognition before starting a new course.

Choose your route

Germany offers two main routes into nursing for school-leavers. Both combine theory with supervised patient care.

Route	Qualification	Duration	Learning locations
Nursing vocational training, called Ausbildung	State-recognised professional nursing qualification	Usually three years full-time	Nursing school and healthcare facilities
Qualifying nursing bachelor’s degree	Bachelor’s degree plus professional nursing qualification	At least three years; check the course	Higher education institution and healthcare facilities

Both routes are paid. Vocational trainees receive training remuneration. Students on qualifying nursing degrees also receive remuneration, but check the amount and conditions in the practical training contract.

For a degree, look for primärqualifizierend. This means the course provides your first professional nursing qualification. Its state examination is integrated into the university examination.

Nursing degree examples

These examples combine academic study with professional nursing qualification. They are examples to explore, not a ranking. Compare the linked courses on Kursa, then confirm current admission requirements, language rules and practical-contract details with each university.

• International Degree Programme in Nursing B.Sc. at Hochschule Bremen — a primary-qualifying degree with a state licensing examination. The course is taught in German and lists C1 German as an admission requirement.
• Nursing B.Sc., dual at Hochschule Osnabrück — an eight-semester dual degree combining university study, vocational-school teaching and practical training; graduates receive a bachelor’s degree and professional nursing qualification.
• Nursing B.Sc., dual at Fulda University of Applied Sciences — an eight-semester German-taught degree leading to a bachelor’s degree and professional registration. Applicants with an entrance qualification from a non-German-speaking institution need C1 German and a practical training contract.

Check your eligibility

School qualifications

For a bachelor’s degree, your school certificate must qualify you for higher education in Germany. Depending on your qualifications, you may need previous university study or a Studienkolleg, a preparatory college followed by an assessment examination. The university makes the final admission decision.

Vocational training has different rules. The standard route requires an intermediate school qualification or equivalent completed ten-year general education. Alternative routes exist with a lower school qualification and suitable prior vocational training. Ask the provider how your foreign certificate must be assessed.

German language

Vocational nursing training generally requires B1 or B2 German, depending on the federal state. Universities can set higher requirements. A verified qualifying nursing degree requires C1 and is taught in German despite having “international” in its name.

Check accepted certificates and submission deadlines. Our German language requirements guide explains the wider university context.

Apply step by step

1. Verify the course. Confirm its professional qualification, entry requirements and deadline.
2. Check the practical contract. Some qualifying degrees require parallel applications to the university and a partner healthcare facility. An academic application alone may not be enough.
3. Use the correct application route. Follow the university’s instructions for applying directly or through uni-assist, which assesses international applications for participating institutions.
4. Prepare your documents. Confirm exactly what must be translated, certified or assessed before submitting.

Use this starting checklist, then adapt it to your provider’s requirements:

• Passport and school certificates with grade records
• Required translations and qualification assessment
• Accepted German language certificate
• Curriculum vitae and motivation letter, if requested
• Practical training contract, where required
• Medical fitness and criminal-record evidence, where requested

Medical fitness and reliability are explicit requirements for vocational nursing training. Ask when and how to provide the evidence.

Plan your budget

Generalist vocational nursing training charges no school tuition and pays an allowance. Qualifying nursing degrees also pay remuneration, but check university charges and contract conditions rather than assuming every expense is covered.

Budget using net pay, the amount left after deductions. Include rent, food and transport, plus upfront expenses such as translations, language exams, travel and a rental deposit. Compare your offer with our cost-of-living guide.

Check your visa

Vocational training and university study have separate residence-permit routes. Whether you need an entry visa depends on your nationality. For a paid dual nursing degree, confirm the correct route with the German mission using both your admission letter and practical contract.

Training pay can count towards proof of living costs for company-based vocational training. Additional funding evidence may be necessary if it is insufficient. A paid place does not automatically remove the funding requirement.

For university study, read our student visa guide, then follow your German mission’s current document list.

Already qualified abroad?

Start with professional recognition. Nursing is regulated, so a foreign degree alone does not authorise you to practise in Germany. Recognition generally requires at least B2 German, medical fitness and evidence of reliability. A knowledge test or adaptation period may be needed, depending on the assessment.

Browse courses

FAQ

Do I need a degree to become a nurse?

No. Generalist vocational nursing training leads to professional qualification without a university degree. A qualifying bachelor’s adds an academic qualification.

Can I qualify through an English-only course?

Don’t assume so. Vocational nursing training requires German, and a verified degree with an international focus requires C1 German. Check both admission and clinical-placement language requirements.

Will I be paid during a nursing degree?

Qualifying nursing degrees provide training remuneration. Check the practical contract for your pay and conditions. This does not mean every healthcare-related degree is paid.

What does nursing work involve?

Qualified nurses provide personal hygiene, eating and mobility support alongside assessing care needs, documentation and clinical tasks. Basic personal care is part of the profession in Germany.