Work in Germany as a Nurse: Your Full Journey with TERN

Want to move to Germany as a nurse but not sure how to go about it?

Here's what that process actually looks like - step by step - through the journey of one nurse.

Every month, hundreds of nurses from India and beyond express interest in working in Germany. But navigating the path - from applications to language training to visas - is often too complex to do alone.

This is the real, complete end-to-end journey of what happens when a nurse reaches out to TERN for Germany-bound nurse migration.

We've also included real-life testimonials from nurses like Asha, Shiba, and Krishna, who've gone through the process and are now living and working in Germany. Their experiences bring clarity, reassurance, and a human perspective to every step of the journey. Scroll down to find them!

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Part 1: Getting Started - From Sign-Up to Selection

The process typically begins with a message - either through WhatsApp, email, or by signing up directly on the TERN platform.

Once they register, a candidate submits their resume and basic details (including education, current job, and language level). The resume is then reviewed, standardized, and refined by TERN's internal team to ensure it meets the expectations of German employers hiring international nurses.

At this point, the candidate is also assessed for their readiness - are they A2 or B1 in German? Do they have their diplomas and transcripts in place? Do they have any previous work experience in healthcare?

Once these basic checks are cleared, the candidate is assigned a profile on the TERN platform and automatically matched to relevant nursing job opportunities in Germany. Interviews are then scheduled directly with German employers - mostly hospitals and senior care homes - depending on the nurse's preferences and qualifications.

While interview preparation is happening, German language training for nurses begins in parallel.

TERN offers language training in two ways:

• Through an AI-based platform for German language learning, helping candidates practice vocabulary, grammar, and real-life healthcare dialogues.
  
  
• Through real-time classes led by TERN's network of qualified German language instructors, with an emphasis on passing the B1 and B2 exams for nurses.
  
  

Language progression is tracked weekly. Once a candidate clears their interviews and is progressing in language, the employer may issue a conditional job offer for nurses in Germany - contingent on B1/B2 certification and further documentation. 

This phase - from sign-up to interview and initial selection - usually takes around 2 to 4 months, depending on the nurse's readiness and employer timelines. 

A few examples of nurses from TERN who have successfully completed this process and secured their jobs are Vikash Kumar, Mohammad Abubakar, Bhawna Asrani and Taniya Khattar. 

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Part 2: Pre-Departure - Documentation, Visa, and Travel

(As undergone by Asha, who completed all paperwork requirements with the help of TERN and set off for Germany in early 2025)

Once a candidate clears their interview and receives a job offer, the next stage begins: document verification and Germany work visa processing for nurses.

This is often the most time-consuming part of the journey and involves multiple parallel steps. TERN assigns a dedicated operations coordinator to each candidate to guide them through the following:

1. document collection and verification

• University degrees, marksheets, and transcripts must be notarized and sometimes apostilled, depending on the employer's state requirements in Germany.
  
  
• The Nursing Registration Certificate is verified and, if needed, translated.
  
  
• Experience letters are collected and standardized.
  
  
• Passport validity is checked; renewals are advised if the expiry is near.
  
  
• TERN assists in getting certified German translations for nurse documents through a partner network of sworn translators.
  
  

2. professional recognition

A core requirement for practicing nursing in Germany is formal recognition of international nursing qualifications. TERN handles the full recognition process by:

• Submitting documents to the relevant recognition authority in the target German state.
  
  
• Coordinating with the employer on any additional requirements (e.g. adaptation period, knowledge test, etc.).
  
  
• Tracking the file status and managing communication between the candidate and the authority.
  
  

3. visa application

Once professional recognition is underway or complete, the candidate prepares for their Germany employment visa for nurses at the German embassy or consulate in their home country.

TERN supports the nurse with:

• Preparing the blocked account if required.
  
  
• Booking the visa appointment.
  
  
• Providing templates and guidance for all forms.
  
  
• Preparing the motivation letter.
  
  
• Compiling and checking the final visa file before submission.
  
  

TERN's in-country team (e.g. in India) often accompanies candidates to VFS for visa submission support for nurses, ensuring smooth handling.

4. pre-departure briefing

After the visa is approved, the flight is booked based on the employer's suggested arrival date. TERN organizes a pre-departure orientation for nurses, covering:

• What to pack
  
  
• What to expect on arrival
  
  
• Whom to contact in case of issues
  
  
• Accommodation details
  
  
• Overview of life in Germany
  
  

On the day of departure, many nurses are dropped to the airport by TERN's field staff - a symbolic but important gesture of support, especially for first-time international travelers.

Here from Asha herself about her experience here.  

Learn more about the step by step requirements to reach Germany as a nurse here.

Part 3: Arrival in Germany - Settlement and Integration

(As experienced by Shiba and Krishna, who both landed in Germany in December 2024)

When the nurse arrives in Germany, the process doesn't stop. In fact, the next phase is just as critical: settling in after migrating to Germany as a nurse.

TERN's on-ground team in Germany coordinates the arrival process closely with the employer.

1. airport pick-up and accommodation

• A TERN representative or a designated contact picks up the candidate from the airport.
  
  
• Accommodation is pre-arranged - typically shared or single housing close to the workplace.
  
  
• The candidate is given access to local SIM cards, transportation guidance, and grocery essentials.

‍2. administrative setup

Over the first 2-4 weeks, TERN helps candidates with:

• Residence registration at the local town hall
  
  
• Opening a German bank account
  
  
• Registering for health insurance
  
  
• City orientation (nearest transport, stores, pharmacy, etc.)
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TERN also supports them in navigating the probation period for internationally recruited nurses, ensuring clarity on shift patterns, documentation, and cultural expectations at the workplace.

3 Continued Language Support and Recognition Finalization

If the candidate had not completed full recognition (e.g. if they're undergoing adaptation), TERN ensures they are enrolled in:

• A local adaptation program (adaptation measure)
  
  
• Or are preparing for the knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung)
  
  

German language classes for nurses in Germany may continue, either virtually or in-person, until B2 certification is reached (if not already achieved).

Conclusion: A Multi-Month, Fully Guided Journey

From first contact to full settlement in Germany, the process typically spans 9 to 14 months, depending on:

• Language level at entry
  
  
• Speed of document gathering
  
  
• Interview performance
  
  
• State-specific recognition requirements
  
  

It is complex. But for every nurse who finishes it, the outcome is life-changing, with an impact that goes beyond salary and career progression, extending to their family's long-term future.

For nurses like Asha, Shiba, and Krishna, the result is not just a job in Germany - it's access to stable, regulated employment for nurses abroad, the chance to grow professionally, and the ability to support their families back home.

And for many, it starts with a simple message.

At TERN, our job is not just to connect talent with opportunity - it's to make the process human, clear, and end-to-end supported.

‍Thinkingof working as a nurse in Germany?
Take the first step today by signing up on our TERN platform or reaching out to our team directly via WhatsApp. We're here to guide you through every step.

Scroll down to watch the real stories of Asha, Shobha, and Krishna, as told by them - and see what this journey looks like, from day one to destination.

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