Nursing Jobs in Germany for Indian Nurses

Nursing jobs in Germany for Indian nurses are limitless as the country faces an acute shortage of nurses and other qualified health care professionals.

Germany is one of the most developed countries globally and the economic centre of Europe.

Germany is always one step ahead in technology, engineering, medicine, health care, and many more compared with many other countries.

Germany’s unemployment rate is meagre, and now a country of employment for people from other European and non-European countries. 

Germany offers lucrative salaries, and the country tops the world for work-life balance as far as the job is concerned.

Suppose you are registered in your country and have at least six months post-registration work experience as a nurse. In that case, you can consider looking for an opportunity to migrate to Germany if you are interested. 

Nursing jobs in Germany for Indian nurses are real as nurses from India are considered qualified and hard-working health care workers by many countries in Europe, including Germany, the UK and other parts of the world, for a long time.

Each year over a thousand nurses immigrate to Germany to qualify to work as registered nurses. 

Currently, there are permanent vacancies across the country because the nurse-patient ratio is too alarming!

There is a shortage of nurses already, and on top of that, many are retiring every year.

There are even Government initiatives like Grants to cover the cost of preparatory programs in Germany that help foreign-educated nurses to qualify for a nursing license, making this country one of the most sought after places in Europe, after the UK for the foreign-educated nurses.

Let’s see why nursing jobs in Germany for Indian nurses are that much attractive!

Why Germany?

Nursing practice in Germany is considered one of the most respected professions. 

Germany has one of the best health care service systems, and public health is paramount for the country. 

Since Germany’s greying population is a reality and most employees retire every year, Germany faces a massive shortage of skilled workers.

According to the RWI Research Survey, there could be a widening gap of 84% between the nurses and patients if the foreign nurses are not allowed to come.

Realising this situation, Germany is now open for qualified nurses from other countries, especially India, to come in and work in the hospitals and other medical centres throughout the country. 

Germany requires around 200,000 nurses annually!

What are the Eligibility Criteria for the nursing jobs in Germany for Indian nurses?

There are a few criteria one should need to meet successfully to apply for a license to practice nursing in Germany. Firstly, you must have completed a bachelor’s degree course in nursing or at least a three-year diploma in General Nursing. Secondly, you should be a registered nurse in your home country or the country from where you got your training.

What is the German Language Requirement for Pursuing Nursing as a Career in Germany?

The third and most important criterion is that you must know the German language at the B2 level, as that is the level of the language skills required to communicate well in a workplace in Germany. 

A person of zero level knowledge has to start with the beginner’s level and work for at least 110 hours to complete it before progressing on to the primary level. To cover this level, one needs to attend another 110-120 hours of lessons.

The intermediary level, the B1 level, will require 150 hours of lessons to complete.

Finally, the B2 level, the upper intermediary level, is generally divided into B2.1 and B2.2. Each may require 100 hours to cover the lessons.

The number of days, weeks, or months required to attain a B2 level depends on how many hours you can spend per day and how serious you are with the learning process.

Those who wish to learn the German language, no matter where they are now, may contact the Language Learning Centre of KCR CONSULTANTS and start attending your lessons online.

What are the Important Documents required for Nursing Jobs in Germany for Indian Nurses?

One should prepare and keep a few prerequisite documents before applying for the nursing vacancies in Germany. The following is a list of the essential documents you will need for verification purposes in the beginning:

• Curriculum Vitae detailing your Expertise and Work Experience 
• Work experience certificates (as mentioned in your CV)
• Nursing Registration certificate
• Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree Certificate
• Academic Transcripts and Certificates
• Birth Certificate

Moreover, documents such as the Police Clearance Certificate and the medical fitness Certificates may be required in the later stage of the process. 

So start learning the German language, prepare and take your B1 level German test before applying for the Police clearance and medical certificates.

What is the process, and how and where to start?

There are two options for nurses to choose from, to immigrate to Germany!

Option 1. Qualified nurses meeting the academic and professional qualifications may start learning the German language. Progress steadily and achieve a B1 level before searching for an employer.

Option 2. Start learning the German language, prepare documents to present to an employer, and apply for registration or assessment of qualifications at a German state office/state nursing council.

One will be required to translate all your qualifications into German and get it certified. The documents include

• Your current and valid nursing license
• Nursing qualification ( degree or diploma)
• All semester transcripts of the nursing qualification
• High school certificates
• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate, if applicable
• Affidavit if there are any differences in your name mentioned in your passport and the academic /professional documents
• Police clearance certificate
• Medical certificate
• Passport

You may start attending the interviews conducted by employers and receive an offer for a job that begins with an adaptation training programme and additional German language learning to achieve a B2 Level German in Germany.

Once you have arrived in Germany, you will start with a B2 Level German and an Adaptation training programme to qualify for a German nursing license.

Generally, the employer sponsors the B2 level German language course and the adaptation programme. 

The training programme of adaptation could be for 6 to 12 months, attending lectures and supervised placements. The state nursing council will accept you into the registry of registered nurses once the adaptation programme is completed successfully.

Achieve B2 level skills in the German language in your country and migrate to Germany to become a licensed nurse!

Even after clearing the German B2 level test in your home country, you should attend adaptation training in Germany if found your professional qualifications are not matching with the German nursing qualifications. 

You will need to send all your relevant documents via physical post to the German state you plan to practice nursing for assessment. It is like exactly how you are applying for a license directly! The assessment process will take place automatically.

A consultant company like KCR CONSULTANTS may do this on your behalf.

This process is usually time-consuming and can take up to 6-9 months in some states, depending on the German state you are applying for a nursing licence or assessment.

You will be working as an auxiliary nurse or attending training while you wait for the decision of the state nursing council.

What is the Application Process for a visa?

European Union or EU citizens do not require a visa to work in Germany; however, almost all non-EU citizens require a resident permit visa to immigrate to Germany.

There are a few easy yet crucial steps you need to take in this regard. Especially if you are an Indian nurse, you need to follow the steps mentioned below:

• Firstly, you should arrange all the essential documents required for the visa application process.
• Book an appointment to apply for a visa at the German consulate or a VFS centre near your place.
• Submit the necessary documents and your visa application form to the consulate per the appointment received.
• It may take a couple of months for the consulate to complete the process and decide on your application.

What are the Documents Required for the Visa Application?

The following are the essential documents you will need to submit along with your duly filled visa application form:

• A Cover Letter
• Valid Passport
• Offer Letter received from the German company
• Your Qualifications
• Three passport-sized photographs
• A Demand Draft for the visa fees

You will need two complete sets of applications with xerox copies of the documents.

You will also need to have a set of all the originals in case of any verification.

What are the Benefits for Indian Nurses Taking Up a Nursing Job in Germany?

As observed above, there are several reasons why opting to work as a nurse in Germany. 

The following are why Indian nurses immigrated to Germany to work as nurses.

Job security

There is immense job security for the healthcare workers in Germany. Some organisations support workers’ rights and provide grievance redressal to nurses. Hence, you can work without stress from any form of downsizing, with complete security.

World-class working conditions

Germany has set international standards to provide its workforce with a quality culture, atmosphere, and good working conditions. This ensures the nurses are offered maximum comfortability since they work rigorously throughout the day. Proper hygiene and safety standards are taken care of and regularly audited.

High demand for quality nurses

There is a relatively high demand for healthcare professionals such as nurses compared to other professions.

Immense job growth possibilities

With proper experience and expertise, you can continue gaining appraisals and bolster your position in the workplace. This makes nursing practice more lucrative.

Get your family to Germany and live together.

After settling down initially, you may get your family too to Germany. It may take 3-4 months. Your spouse can also work, and your children can attend a world-class education for free. 

These make Germany one of the most attractive countries for foreign-educated nurses.

The choice for permanent residency

You can apply for a Permanent residency permit in Germany after five years of stay on the German mainland. This is one of the most significant benefits for any foreigner who wishes to settle in a country where they can enjoy almost equal rights.