Free practice for nurses preparing to work in Germany. No account needed.

German for nurses

To work as a nurse in Germany you need to prove German language skills as part of having your qualification recognised. Recruitment programmes typically train to B1 before departure and B2 after arrival, but the exact level is set by the recognition authority of the German state you apply to, so confirm yours before you book an exam.

Germany recognised 32,500 foreign nursing qualifications in 2024, more than any other profession. The language requirement sits inside a wider recognition process, and the two are easy to confuse: your qualification is assessed separately from your German.

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Game 1 of 3 · Medication & documentation terms

Match each German medication and documentation term to its English meaning.

0 of 12 matched. Tap a term, then its match.

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Which level and exam do you need?

B1 or B2, Goethe or telc or ÖSD, and who decides: the requirements differ by German state, and getting this wrong costs an exam fee.

German levels and exams for nurses

Frequently asked questions

What is A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2 level in German?
These are the six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). A1 and A2 are basic, B1 and B2 independent, C1 and C2 proficient. For nursing in Germany the levels that usually matter are B1 (you can handle routine work situations and describe experiences) and B2 (you can follow complex discussion in your own field and talk to patients and colleagues without strain).Source: Council of Europe, CEFR
Is B1 enough to work in Germany as a nurse?
It depends on the state you apply to, and the honest answer is that the public record is not consistent. The Triple Win programme run by GIZ and the Federal Employment Agency trains nurses to B1 before departure and to B2 after arrival, with the employer paying for the B2 step. Some employers and some states expect B2 before you start. Treat B1 as the point at which the process can begin, not the point at which it ends, and confirm the requirement with the recognition authority handling your file.Source: Triple Win (GIZ / Bundesagentur für Arbeit)
Which German language certificate is valid in Germany for nurses?
The certificates generally accepted are the Goethe-Zertifikat, telc and ÖSD. telc also publishes profession-specific exams for nursing (telc Deutsch B1·B2 Pflege). Which certificate and which level your authority accepts is set at state level, so check the list published by the authority you are applying to rather than assuming.Source: ÖSD; telc
Can an Indian nurse work in Germany?
Yes. India was among the largest source countries for recognised foreign qualifications in Germany in 2024, with roughly 4,900 recognitions across all professions, and Kerala and Telangana are partner states in the Triple Win recruitment programme. You will need your nursing qualification assessed for equivalence and the required German language certificate.Source: Destatis, press release Nr. 321 (2025-09-04)
What is a nurse called in Germany?
The current professional title is Pflegefachfrau (female) or Pflegefachmann (male), sometimes written Pflegefachperson. Older terms you will still hear are Krankenschwester and Krankenpfleger, and Gesundheits- und Krankenpfleger appears on older qualifications. Make it in Germany treats Pflegefachfrau/-mann as the reference occupation your qualification is compared against.Source: Make it in Germany (Federal Government portal)

Sources

Requirements differ by German state and can change. The authority handling your recognition file is the only binding source.