Questions worth
a clear answer.
A guide for foreign nurses planning to relocate to Germany, covering qualifications, recognition, language, visas and working life.
Getting your
qualification
recognised.
Yes. To work as a nurse in Germany your professional qualification needs to be officially recognised. If you are still in the process of getting it recognised, contact us and we will look at your options together.
You submit your application to the competent recognition authority (Anerkennungsstelle) in your chosen state, with translated and authenticated copies of your diplomas, transcripts, licences and work experience. You also take the required German language exam. Email info@billela.com and we will go through the documents and procedure for your situation.
It usually takes around four months.
That is not a problem. You make up the difference through an adaptation period (Anpassungslehrgang), during which you work as an assistant. At the end of the adaptation period you receive your licence as a fully recognised nurse in Germany.
It depends on the number of hours set for you by the German authority. The hours are individual, so no two applicants are the same.
Your practical experience, the hours recorded during your nursing training, and the courses you took during that training.
Reaching the
level you need.
For your qualification to be recognised you will usually need a B2 level German certificate. If you have not reached that level yet, we can help you improve your language skills and prepare for the exam.
At any German language institute, or with us. We have qualified teachers on the ground. Your final B2 examination must be taken at a recognised German language centre such as the Goethe-Institut.
This depends on how seriously you take it and the hours you put into self-study. From our own data, most students reach B2 within a year.
Yes. You can begin the recognition process once you reach German language level B1.
Getting there,
and settling in.
A Recognition Visa (§17a) if you need to complete adaptation training in Germany, or an Employment Visa (§18a) if you already have full recognition and a job offer. Visa processing usually takes six to twelve weeks. You may bring your spouse and children later through family reunification (Familiennachzug).
Yes. We assist with everything from qualification recognition and visa applications through to registration and health insurance.
We help you find an apartment and support you through the moving process.
Yes. You receive a structured onboarding plan with a dedicated contact person who guides you step by step and gives you time to settle in.
What the work
actually looks like.
38 to 40 hours per week, with shift rotations covering days, nights and weekends.
After recognition, typically €3,500 to €4,000 gross per month depending on your experience and the region. Germany also has strong labour protections, 24 to 30 days of paid leave, and regulated working conditions.
You have completed training as a nursing professional, you genuinely enjoy caring for patients and working in a team, and you are reliable, friendly and open to learning. Your nursing qualification should meet German standards, which means a three-year professional diploma or a four-year bachelor degree. You will need a valid passport and authenticated copies of all documents, and at least B1 German, with B2 preferred.
Moving to a new country can be challenging, so you never have to do it alone. Our team guides you personally through the entire application process, with honesty, transparency and genuine care.
No. Registering starts a conversation about your pathway. Employment, recognition and visa outcomes depend on your eligibility, the relevant requirements, and decisions made by the institutions and authorities involved.
Go straight
to the source.
Official German information on recognition, employment and language certification.
Recognition in Germany
Federal Employment Agency
Goethe-Institut, language learning
Ask us.
We answer plainly.
If your situation is not covered here, write to us and we will tell you what we know and what we do not.
Let’s take the
next step.
Together.
Whether your journey is about your career or your care, it starts with a conversation.