Free practice for nurses preparing to work in Germany. No account needed.
German levels and exams 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.
What the levels mean for nursing work
Introductions, simple questions, everyday phrases. Not enough for clinical work, but where most people start.
You can handle routine situations, describe symptoms and experiences, and follow familiar workplace conversation. This is the level Triple Win trains to before departure.
You can follow complex discussion in your own field, talk with patients and relatives, and take part in handovers without strain. This is the level most employers and authorities work towards.
Beyond what nursing recognition normally asks for. C1 is the target for the doctors' Fachsprachprüfung, which is a different process.
Which certificate counts
Acceptance is decided at state level, so the authority handling your file publishes the list that actually binds you. These are the ones generally accepted.
Profession-specific: built around nursing situations rather than general German. Published at both B1 and B2.
General German, internationally recognised, offered at each CEFR level.
General German, recognised across German-speaking countries.
Before you book an exam
Sources disagree on whether B1 or B2 is required, because the answer genuinely differs by German state and by employer. An exam booked at the wrong level is a wasted fee and several months. Confirm the level and the accepted certificate with the recognition authority handling your file before you pay.
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