The French healthcare system has procedures that foreign nurses may find unfamiliar at first. The education system and professional registration process may differ from those in your home country, and strong French skills are essential for nursing education and workplace communication. These factors can create barriers to entry. However, with careful planning and hard work, foreign nurses can work toward practicing in France.
The qualities that make France appealing to many visitors also make it an attractive place to live and work. Living there immerses you in a distinctive culture. You’ll also be able to visit sites such as Mont Saint-Michel, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower. The food can be another major plus.
If you’d like to work in France, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we’ll go through the main steps you need to take to become a nurse in France.
How to Become a Nurse in France
Step 1: Obtain a Nursing Education
How you proceed depends on your nationality and where your nursing qualification was issued. If your qualification falls within the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) recognition rules, it may be eligible for recognition under the applicable conditions. You must still register with the Ordre National des Infirmiers before practicing. Some EU or EEA cases require an individual authorization process and, where substantial differences are identified, a compensation measure such as an adaptation period or aptitude test. A nursing qualification obtained outside the EU or EEA generally does not, by itself, authorize you to practice in France.
France has universities and specialized institutions, and the structure varies by subject. For nursing, a nursing school is an Institut de Formation en Soins Infirmiers, or IFSI. The qualification is the diplôme d’État d’infirmier, or DEI. For students entering training from September 2026, the standard program is organized over six semesters and validated with 180 ECTS credits.
France is transitioning to new DEI training rules. For students entering training from September 2026, holders of a nursing qualification obtained outside the EU or EEA that allows them to practice in the country where it was issued may apply to an IFSI for an adapted pathway leading to the DEI. Admission is not automatic. Foreign applicants must provide evidence of B2 French proficiency. The pathway includes specified assessments and two full-time nursing placements totaling 10 to 33 weeks. Students who began training before September 2026 remain under the previous rules. Check with the relevant IFSI to confirm which framework applies to your intake.
You can also apply for the standard DEI route without a prior nursing qualification if you meet the admission requirements. For students entering from September 2026, applicants must generally hold the French baccalauréat or an equivalent qualification and be at least 17 years old by December 31 of the year they enter training. Initial-training applicants use Parcoursup, and a continuing education route is also available. AP-HP publishes a current list of its IFSIs.
Step 2: Learn French
French proficiency is required to practice nursing in France. Applicants for registration must have the language knowledge needed for the profession, and the Ordre National des Infirmiers may check whether an applicant’s French is sufficient. Strong French skills are also essential for training and for communicating safely with patients and colleagues.
Depending on your pathway, you may need to provide documentary evidence of French proficiency. Two widely recognized qualifications are the DELF and DALF. The DELF covers levels A1 to B2, while the DALF covers levels C1 to C2. For eligible foreign applicants using the adapted DEI pathway from September 2026, a B2 French certificate is required.
Step 3: Register with the agency
The administrative process has changed. To practice nursing in France, you must register with the Ordre National des Infirmiers. Registration is mandatory regardless of whether you work in the public sector, private sector, or independently.
Step 4: Find a Job and Apply for a Work Permit
The final step is to find a nursing job. Nurses can work as salaried employees in the public or private sector or practice independently. You can search employer career pages and general job portals such as Glassdoor and LinkedIn.
If you are a national of a country outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland and your immigration status requires work authorization, your employer will generally need to request authorization before you start work. The visa category depends on factors such as your contract and the length of your stay. Review the work permit in France guide and use the official France-Visas website to check the requirements for your situation.
People who work or reside in France on a stable and regular basis can receive healthcare-cost coverage through the French health insurance system, subject to the applicable conditions. Leave entitlements depend on your employment status and sector. In the private sector, statutory paid leave accrues at 2.5 jours ouvrables per month, equal to 30 jours ouvrables, or five weeks, for a full year of work. Employers may use an equivalent workday-based calculation.
We hope this article on the steps to becoming a nurse in France was helpful. Be sure to also check out the Study in France and Available Programs in Europe pages for more study opportunities!
