How to Study Nursing in Germany (8 Steps)

Pursuing a nursing career in many countries requires completing an approved nursing program and passing a licensing examination. Then, you can further your career by taking a master’s degree in Nursing. Many universities combine lectures with supervised clinical practice. If you are an international student or a foreign-trained nurse who wants to work abroad, there are requirements to follow. For example, in the United States, internationally educated nurses generally need to meet the requirements of the state board of nursing and pass the NCLEX-RN; requirements can vary by jurisdiction. Germany, however, uses a different nursing education pathway, with vocational nursing training and academic nursing degrees regulated separately.

For foreign nurses to work in Germany as nurses, they must have their foreign professional qualification recognized and obtain permission to use the protected nursing professional title. If you are starting from the beginning, the main vocational route is generalist nursing training, known as Ausbildung, to become a Pflegefachfrau, Pflegefachmann, or Pflegefachperson. Full-time vocational nursing training takes three years, or up to five years part-time, and combines at least 2,100 hours of theoretical and practical instruction with 2,500 hours of practical training. During training, trainees commonly receive gross monthly remuneration, which can be around €1,416 in the first year, €1,477 in the second year, and €1,578 in the third year under the public-sector training agreement, although actual amounts depend on the employer and collective agreement. If you wish to study nursing in Germany, several universities and universities of applied sciences offer nursing programs, and primary-qualifying nursing degrees often take seven or eight semesters. You can also explore other courses in Germany if you want to compare related degree options, tuition fees, and study opportunities before deciding on a nursing pathway. In the third year of vocational training, students may choose long-term care, pediatric nursing, or continue with the generalist nursing qualification. After qualification, nurses can pursue further training in areas such as intensive care, surgery, geriatric psychiatry, case management, leadership, practical instruction, and advanced clinical nursing.

Once you finish German nursing training or a primary-qualifying nursing degree, you must pass the state examination and meet the requirements for permission to use the protected nursing title. If you already earned your nursing qualification outside Germany, you need professional recognition, known as Anerkennung, before working as a nurse in Germany. Recognition procedures vary by federal state, so it is best to use the official Anerkennung in Deutschland portal to find the responsible authority and requirements for your case. This article contains detailed instructions for studying nursing in Germany as an international student. It covers the first step to the last and the main requirements needed to pursue nursing education in Germany.

Steps on How to Apply for a Nursing Program in Germany

Step 1. Know the Requirements to Become a Nurse in Germany

To become a nurse in Germany through the vocational route, most new entrants complete state-regulated nursing training in hospitals, care facilities, or outpatient nursing services together with a nursing school. Generally, the vocational program takes three years full-time or up to five years part-time. The practical part is more extensive than the theoretical part, and the training ends with a state examination. Academic nursing degree routes are also available, so not every nursing pathway is a traditional apprenticeship.

Aside from vocational training, some German universities and universities of applied sciences offer bachelor’s, master’s, and postgraduate degree programs. For example, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing as a cooperative degree program that combines an academic degree with vocational training for a professional nursing license. Hochschule Bremen City University of Applied Sciences offers the International Degree Programme in Nursing B.Sc., an eight-semester, 240-credit, primary-qualifying program that leads to both a Bachelor of Science and the state licensing examination as a nursing specialist. At the graduate level, the University of Bremen offers a German-language M.Sc. in Community Health Care and Nursing: Health Care Research and Health Care Planning.

Step 2. Research Nursing Schools and Have a List

Academic nursing degrees are still a more specialized route compared with Germany’s long-established vocational nursing training system. There are two common pathways to research: vocational nursing training through a nursing school and practical training provider, and university-based or cooperative nursing degree programs. Both types have their pros and cons, so it is best to research the type of school and qualification you want before applying.

To begin a nursing career, research the top schools to study nursing in Germany. Many schools have websites in German, and some universities also provide English information pages. These pages can help you compare the course structure, admission requirements, training partners, semester contributions, and tuition fees, if any. It is also important to consider the location of the school, whether you want to study in a city or in a smaller town. Knowing the location will help you understand the cost of living in the area and estimate the amount of money you need to prepare as an international student.

Step 3. Be Proficient in German

Studying abroad usually requires international students to know the language of instruction and present a certain level of language proficiency. If you plan to work as a nurse in Germany or complete vocational nursing training, German at B1 or B2 level is usually necessary, depending on the federal state and training provider. For recognition of a foreign nursing qualification, B2 German is commonly required. University nursing programs may require a higher level, such as C1 German.

At Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, and Hochschule Bremen, the main language of instruction for the nursing-related programs discussed here is German. It is best to start learning the German language early if you want to study here. It will not only be useful for school but also for your day-to-day communication in the country and during clinical training.

Step 4. Prepare Financially

Knowing the cost of studying nursing in Germany beforehand will help you be financially prepared for your overall studies. Living in Germany can be affordable compared with some other European countries, but costs vary greatly by city and lifestyle. For visa purposes in 2026, many international students must show proof of at least €11,904 for one year, or €992 per month. Using the European Central Bank reference rate of EUR 1 = USD 1.1648 on May 18, 2026, this is about $13,860 per year or about $1,155 per month. Your actual expenses may be higher in large cities such as Hamburg or Munich.

Public universities in Germany usually do not charge general tuition fees, but students must pay a semester contribution. For example, studying nursing at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences currently requires a semester contribution of €379, including the semester ticket and Germany-wide rail pass, and the cooperative nursing degree is completed in seven semesters. At Hochschule Bremen, the current semester fee is €418.90. Private institutions and some special programs may charge tuition, so always check the official fees page of your chosen school.

Step 5. Obtain Application Materials

Each school has its own specific requirements for studying nursing in Germany. You can learn about them on the nursing school’s website, which should indicate the application schedule, qualifications, language requirements, and educational background requirements. In general, vocational nursing training requires a suitable school-leaving certificate, sufficient German language skills, physical and mental fitness for the profession, and proof of reliability, such as a criminal record certificate. University nursing programs usually require a higher education entrance qualification or equivalent, German language proof, and sometimes English language proof or a training contract with a cooperating practical training provider.

Hamburg University of Applied Sciences requires a higher education entrance qualification and a training contract or binding commitment from a cooperating institution that provides the practical part of the nursing training. International applicants also need proof of German at C1 level for most bachelor’s degree courses at HAW Hamburg. Once these documents are ready, the school or training provider will review your application and may invite you to an assessment, entrance procedure, or interview.

Step 6. Apply to Nursing Schools in Germany

The first thing to do is to prepare the necessary requirements for your school of choice. If you are applying for a cooperative or primary-qualifying nursing degree, you may need to secure a training contract with a cooperating practical training institution before or during the university application process. Once your documents are ready, you can submit your application and wait for the school’s decision. If you are chosen, you may be invited for an interview or assessment. Upon passing the first stage, the school or training provider will give more information about the program and additional requirements.

Additional requirements can include proof of financial resources, a medical certificate, a criminal record certificate, a relevant professional qualification, proof of health insurance, and visa or residence permit documents. It is important to arrange valid health insurance because proof of health insurance is required for university enrollment and, in many cases, for visa or residence procedures.

Step 7. Apply for Student Visa

For many international students, a student visa is required to study nursing in Germany. EU citizens, as well as citizens of Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland, generally do not need a visa or residence permit to study or train in Germany. Many non-EU citizens need a national visa for stays longer than 90 days. The type of visa depends on whether you are entering Germany for university study or for vocational training, so check the German mission responsible for your country before applying.

According to the Federal Foreign Office, national visa applications can take several months to process, so you should apply well before your intended start date. The German Consular Services Portal now supports online applications for study, vocational training, work, and family-reunion visas, although an in-person appointment may still be required to present original documents, provide biometric data, and pay the application fee. Documents vary by country and visa type, but they usually include a valid passport, biometric photo or biometric data, a completed application, proof of financial resources, proof of health insurance, and admission or training documents from Germany. Once approved, you can receive the visa that allows you to enter Germany and complete the next residence steps.

Step 8. Final Preparation

Now that you have a university or training place and the required visa, it is time to find a place to stay in Germany. You can choose from a university residence, shared apartment, or private rental. After moving into accommodation in Germany, you generally need to register your address at the local Residents’ Registration Office within 14 days. If you are a non-EU student or trainee, you may also need to apply for a residence permit before your visa expires. You will also benefit from having a German bank account because it is commonly used to pay rent and semester fees and to receive your training salary. Lastly, continue improving your German skills to prepare for your studies, clinical training, and everyday life.

FAQs: Enrolling in a Nursing Program in Germany

All the information you learned in this article will help you prepare in advance and organize the step-by-step process of your application. We hope that this article on studying nursing in Germany was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Germany and Study in Germany for more information about studying abroad!