Visa for Healthcare Professionals
Visum für Gesundheitsfachkräfte · §18a / §18b / §16d Aufenthaltsgesetz
What this visa is
Germany has a documented shortage of over 300,000 healthcare professionals — making nurses, doctors, pharmacists, physiotherapists, dental assistants and care workers among the most actively recruited international talent in the country.
There is no single dedicated “healthcare visa” — instead, healthcare professionals use Germany's standard skilled worker visa framework, but with additional requirements specific to regulated healthcare professions. The right visa depends on your qualification and how far along the recognition process you are.
The three main routes
Route 1 — Your qualification is fully recognised in Germany
Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa (§18a for vocational qualifications such as nursing, §18b for university degrees such as medicine or pharmacy) with a concrete job offer. You must also hold a professional licence (Berufsurkunde or Approbation) authorising you to use your professional title and practise in Germany.
Route 2 — Your qualification is only partially recognised
Apply for the Recognition Visa — Qualification Measure (§16d Abs. 1) to complete the specific measures required to achieve full recognition, while based in Germany.
Route 3 — You have a job offer but recognition is not yet complete
Apply for the Recognition Partnership (§16d Abs. 3), introduced in March 2024, which allows you to enter Germany and begin working before recognition is finalised.
Key facts across all routes
- ✓German language requirements are higher for healthcare than most other professions: generally B2 for employment, with C1 medical German (Fachsprachprüfung) required for full professional licensing (Approbation) in medicine
- ✓Nursing (Pflegefachperson) is a regulated profession — full recognition and a professional licence are required before independent practice
- ✓Germany has a documented shortage exceeding 300,000 healthcare positions, meaning qualified candidates are in extremely high demand
- ✓Settlement permit possible after 3 years for skilled workers under §18a
How MiGreat can help
Healthcare recognition in Germany is complex — the right route depends on your exact qualification, country, and profession. We map your specific situation to the right route, initiate the recognition process, and support you through every step from application to arrival.
Find out which healthcare route is right for you