Erlaubnis zum Führen der Berufsbezeichnung Altenpfleger oder Altenpflegerin bei Berufsqualifikation aus Drittstaaten Erteilung

The profession of geriatric nurse is regulated in Germany. This means that in order to work as a geriatric nurse in Germany, you need a state permit. With the permit, you can use the job title “geriatric nurse” and work in the profession. You can also apply to use the job title “geriatric nurse specialist”.

Even if you have a professional qualification from a so-called third country, you can still obtain state permission from the relevant authority in Germany. Third countries are all countries that are not part of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland. To obtain permission, you must have your foreign professional qualification recognized.

On January 1, 2020, nursing training was reformed in Germany and the new Nursing Professions Act came into force. There is a transitional period for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications on the basis of the Elderly Care Act. Your foreign professional qualification may still be temporarily recognized under the old Elderly Care Act until December 31, 2024. The responsible authority will advise you.

During the recognition process, the responsible body compares your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification and checks their equivalence. The equivalence of the professional qualification is an important prerequisite for the granting of state permission.

You can also forego an equivalence test and complete a knowledge test or an adaptation course directly. In this case, the responsible body will not carry out an equivalence test.

In addition to the equivalence of the professional qualification, you must also fulfill other requirements for the permit to be granted.

If your professional qualification comes from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, different rules apply.

You can also apply for the procedure from abroad.

• Application (available online)
• Documents according to leaflet (available online)
• Proof of language proficiency B2/ technical language test (see leaflet)
• Medical certificate (available online)
• Official certificate of good conduct according to § 30 Para. 5 BZRG

• You have successfully completed training as a geriatric nurse outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland and are entitled to work as a self-employed geriatric nurse there.
• You want to work as a geriatric nurse in Germany.
• Personal suitability: You are reliable for work as a geriatric nurse and have no criminal record.
• Medical suitability: You can work mentally and physically as a geriatric nurse.
• You have German language skills at the required language level. This is usually language level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

• You submit an application to the responsible authority for permission to use the professional title “geriatric care specialist”, “geriatric nurse” or “geriatric nurse”. You can submit the application and the documents to the responsible authority, send them by post or upload them electronically. Do not send originals.
• The responsible body will then check whether you meet all the requirements. An important requirement is the equivalence of your professional qualification. The responsible body will compare your professional qualification from abroad with the German professional qualification as a geriatric nurse in accordance with the Nursing Professions Act or the Geriatric Care Act. The professional qualification is equivalent if there are no significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification.
  • You can also forego an equivalence test and complete a knowledge test or an adaptation course directly. In this case, the responsible body will not carry out an equivalence test.
• If your professional qualification is equivalent and you meet the other requirements, your foreign professional qualification will be recognized. The responsible authority can confirm the result to you in writing. You will then be given permission to use the professional title "geriatric care specialist", "geriatric nurse" or "geriatric nurse".
  • Are there significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification? Perhaps you can compensate for the differences with your professional experience, other knowledge, skills or competences (lifelong learning). Knowledge, skills and competences must be certified by an authority in the state in which you acquired the knowledge, skills or competences.
  • It may be that the essential differences cannot be compensated by your professional experience, knowledge, skills or competences. In this case, the competent authority will tell you the essential differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification and why you cannot compensate for these essential differences. The competent authority will also tell you compensatory measures that you can take to compensate for the essential differences. If you decide not to take compensatory measures, your professional qualification will not be recognized. You will then not be allowed to work as a geriatric nurse in Germany.
  • There are various compensatory measures:
    • Adaptation period: The adaptation period lasts a maximum of 3 years.
    • Knowledge test: The knowledge test tests your knowledge in certain subjects and areas. The knowledge test includes an oral and practical part.
  • If you successfully complete the compensatory measure and meet all other requirements, you will be permitted to use the professional title “geriatric care specialist”, “geriatric nurse” or “geriatric nurse”.

• up to 2 months in the accelerated procedure
• up to 4 months in the regular procedure

The permit procedure (recognition procedure) also generally includes an examination of equivalence. You can apply for a separate notice of the result of the examination.

As a late repatriate, you can choose to go through the recognition process according to the laws mentioned here or according to the Federal Expellees Act. You can decide for yourself. The responsible authority will advise you on which process is right for you.

• To work as a geriatric nurse in Germany you need a government permit.
• With this permission, you can officially call yourself a “geriatric nurse” or “elderly care professional” and work in this profession.
• You can also obtain state permission in Germany if you have a professional qualification from a so-called third country. Third countries are all countries that are not part of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.
• On January 1, 2020, nursing training was reformed in Germany and the new Nursing Professions Act came into force. There is a transitional period for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications on the basis of the Elderly Care Act. Until December 31, 2024, foreign professional qualifications can, under certain circumstances, still be recognized on a transitional basis under the old Elderly Care Act.