Your Opportunity as a Care Professional in Germany: How to Get Qualified Recognition
Care Shortage: Germany’s Problem Is Your Opportunity
Germany’s care sector faces a major challenge: as of October 2024, about 34,000 positions in care were unfilled. Over the next 25 years, hundreds of thousands of roles may remain vacant due to a shortage of skilled workers.
For you as a care professional, this is a significant opportunity.
However, to work in Germany as a care professional, you must have your foreign professional qualification officially recognized. Care is a regulated profession in Germany.
Recognition as a Care Professional in Germany: What You Need to Know
We support you on your path to recognition with high-quality certified translations of your certificates and documents. Thanks to qualified electronic signatures, you can also use these translations directly for your job applications.
Requirements for Recognition:
- Professional qualification: Proof of your training and work experience.
- Language skills: German at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
- Personal suitability: A current certificate of good conduct (police clearance) from Germany and from your country of origin; generally not older than three months.
- Health suitability: A medical certificate confirming you are fit to work in care.
Which Documents are required?
You must provide suitable certificates and other documents to prove you meet the requirements for recognition as a care professional.
- All documents must be presented in the original and in a certified translation.
Check in advance which documents you need to submit in your specific case and whether they must carry an apostille.
Please note that some documents have an expiry date.
You can order certified translations of your qualification certificates and language certificates directly via our shop. Take a look at the category Certified Translation of Certificates for more information about recognition. If your document is not listed, simply send it to us via the contact form and we will create a tailored package for you.
Qualification as a Care Professional
Have you completed vocational training or a university degree in nursing or elder care in your home country and can provide the corresponding certificates?
Great!
For recognition in Germany, you must have your certificates translated and certified if they are not in German. These translations must be done by sworn translators authorized in Germany.
German Skills
If you live abroad and must prove German language skills at B2 level (e.g., for recognition as a care professional in Germany), there are several options:
- Goethe-Zertifikat B2 – widely accepted by German authorities; the Goethe-Institut has many branches around the world.
- Make sure the examination center is officially recognized!
1. Telc B2-Zertifikat
Telc B2 certificate – highly recognized in Germany, especially in the care sector; exams are offered at telc test centers abroad. Find international test centers on the official telc website.
2. Goethe-Zertifikat B2
Goethe Certificate B2 – widely accepted by German authorities; the Goethe-Institut has many branches around the world.
3. TestDaF
TestDaF – more academically oriented, but sometimes accepted; also available at many test locations worldwide.
- Make sure your certificate is still valid!
Depending on the authority, a language certificate may not be accepted if it’s older than two years.
Certificate of Good Conduct (Police Clearance)
An important component for recognition as a care professional in Germany is the certificate of good conduct (police clearance).
If you’re already in Germany, you can apply through your local residents’ registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt). If you have an electronic ID card or residence permit, you can request it online via the Federal Office of Justice.
If you’re living abroad, you need a certificate from your home country. It usually must be not older than three months and accompanied by a certified German translation to ensure authorities can clearly assess your personal suitability.
You can order a certified translation of your police clearance certificate directly through our shop—that’s where you’ll find all the information you need.
Health Fitness
Now to the final point: proof of your health suitability.
Caring is a demanding profession, both physically and mentally. That’s why you need a medical certificate confirming you are fit to work in care.
If you’re in Germany, this certificate must be issued by a German doctor.
If you’re still abroad, a medical certificate from your home country may suffice—but many authorities also require a certified German translation. Some recognition offices require an additional medical examination after your arrival in Germany. So please check early with your responsible authority for their exact requirements.
Which Authorities are responsible for Recognition?
In Germany, recognition of care professions is handled at the state level. That means the responsible authority depends on the federal state in which you intend to work. Key points of contact include:
- State authorities for health or care: e.g., LAGeSo in Berlin; Oberbayern Regional Government in Bavaria; District Governments (e.g., Cologne, Münster, Arnsberg) in North Rhine-Westphalia; Regional Councils (e.g., Stuttgart, Karlsruhe) in Baden-Württemberg.
- Central Office for Professional Recognition (ZSBA): If you are still abroad and need support, the ZSBA can help. Use the search tool on anerkennung-in-deutschland.de to find your responsible authority.
- IQ Network recognition counselling: Free counselling is available throughout Germany via the IQ Network. Find local centres at netzwerk-iq.de.
- Nursing chambers (only in some states): In a few states like Lower Saxony or Rhineland-Palatinate, nursing chambers offer additional advice. The formal recognition is still handled by state authorities.
🔎 In summary
- 🏛️ Recognition: through the regional authorities of the federal state where you want to work
- 🤝 Support: through the ZSBA or IQ Network
- 📋 Special case advice: through the nursing chamber (where available)
Your Experience Counts!
Are you working as a foreign care professional in Germany? Share your experiences with us! What challenges did you face during the recognition process — and was it worth it?
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