ISLAMABAD: Germany is facing a severe shortage of healthcare workers. The crisis has created new job opportunities for Pakistani nurses and other skilled professionals.
Pakistan’s Bureau of Immigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE) said German authorities are ready to allow Pakistani citizens to work in Germany. Applicants must meet required educational and professional standards.
The bureau said the most critical step is official recognition of credentials by German institutions. Without this approval, no work visa is issued. Authorities assess education, work experience, and German language skills during the process.
BEOE said German language proficiency at B2 level is generally required. Candidates who fall short of German standards may need to complete additional courses or pass equivalency exams. German authorities make the final decision.
Germany’s nursing shortage remains serious and continues to grow. In 2023, about 1.69 million qualified nurses were employed in the country. This figure rose by 10,000 from the previous year but still failed to meet demand.
Germany’s Federal Employment Agency said only 44 candidates were available for every 100 nursing vacancies in 2023. On average, 35,000 nursing positions remained unfilled during the year. Between 2023 and 2024, a total of 47,400 healthcare jobs could not be filled, including 7,100 nursing posts.
Germany’s Federal Statistical Office projects that the number of people needing care will rise to 8.2 million by 2055. Authorities estimate that at least 150,000 additional nurses will be required by 2040.
Another report warned that 21,350 healthcare and nursing positions could remain vacant by 2028. Hospitals, elderly care homes, and home-care services face the worst shortages.
The German government has launched initiatives such as the Triple Win program to address the gap. More than 8,000 foreign nurses have been placed under the scheme since 2013. However, strict immigration rules and bureaucratic delays continue to slow progress.
The temporary nurse staffing market is also expanding. It was valued at $1.6 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $2.7 billion by 2033, highlighting the depth of the crisis.
How to Apply
Pakistani nurses and skilled professionals must first secure recognition of their academic and professional qualifications.
German law requires formal recognition of nursing degrees and certain other qualifications earned abroad. Without approval, employment authorization and work visas are denied.
Applicants must check official German government portals to identify their profession’s category and the responsible authority. Each profession has a designated German body. In healthcare, provincial authorities handle most assessments.
Candidates must then prepare required documents. These include academic degrees, experience certificates, and identification papers. Certified translations into German or English are usually required. Incomplete applications risk rejection.
German authorities compare the credentials with national standards after submission. The process can take time. Full recognition is granted if requirements are met. Otherwise, additional training or exams may be required.
After approval, candidates can apply for a German work visa. Language proficiency, complete documentation, and legal compliance remain essential. Employment can begin after visa issuance.
BEOE clarified that it does not charge any fee for this process and does not act as a recruitment agency. Applicants were urged to avoid unregistered agents and carefully review all requirements.
Nurse Salaries in Germany
Nurse salaries in Germany vary by experience, location, specialization, and sector.
After tax and social security deductions, net income falls, but benefits include health insurance, pensions, and paid leave.
In 2025, the average annual salary for a registered nurse ranges from €33,000 to €57,000. Monthly gross pay ranges from €2,800 to €4,800.
Also Read: UK tightens visa rules, introduces higher English Language requirement for foreign workers
Entry-level nurses earn about €2,500 to €3,000 per month. Net income usually ranges from €1,800 to €2,200. Senior or managerial nurses earn between €4,500 and €6,000 per month. Salaries in major cities such as Munich can exceed €6,000.
Experts said the situation presents a major career opportunity for Pakistani nurses and skilled professionals as Europe faces an urgent healthcare workforce shortage.
