Studying nursing in Germany is not only a regular vocational training program but also the shortest and safest way to own a solid career with an attractive nursing salary in Germany. Are you wondering about the entry requirements, the salary for nursing training in Germany, or worried about visa application procedures?
I. Overview of nursing study in Germany
1. What is the nursing study abroad program?
Nursing training in Germany (Ausbildung Pflege) is an official dual training program of the German Government. "Dual" means that students will spend a balance of time between theory at vocational schools (Berufsschule) and direct practice at hospitals, nursing homes, or health care facilities.
The core difference between studying nursing in Germany and studying abroad is that students receive a salary during the 3-year study period. After completing the nursing Ausbildung program, students will receive a degree recognized throughout Europe, opening up a solid career path and attractive opportunities to settle in Germany.
2. Why should you choose nursing in Germany?
Choosing nursing in Germany brings many outstanding advantages, solving the biggest concerns of young Vietnamese people:
- Severe shortage of human resources:Germany is a country with a rapidly aging population, leading to an extremely high demand for nurses. The opportunity for German nursing jobs after graduation is almost 100%, no need to worry about unemployment.
- Tuition Free:Students participating in vocational nursing study in Germany are exempted from all tuition fees for the entire 3 years of study.
- Get paid while you study:The salary for nursing apprenticeships in Germany is quite high, averaging from €1,000 - €1,300/month (depending on the region and recruiting unit), enough to cover all living expenses in Germany.
- Expanded settlement opportunities:The German government has many preferential policies for skilled workers, especially in the medical sector. After graduating and officially working, the path to settling in Germany and obtaining citizenship will be very clear.
3. Advantages of studying nursing in Germany
Studying nursing in Germany not only brings a stable job but also a ticket to the future:
- Attractive German nursing salary after graduation:After graduating and becoming an official nurse, the starting nursing salary in Germany ranges from €2,800 - €3,500/month (not including night and weekend allowances).
- Conditions for studying nursing in Germany are clear:The program has clear entry requirements, focusing mainly on high school diploma and B2 German level. This is a big advantage compared to university study abroad programs with more complex requirements.
- Career development opportunities:After gaining work experience, you can further your studies, become a team manager, or continue your studies at a medical-related university, increasing your nursing salary in Germany and your self-worth.
Studying nursing in Germany is an ideal choice for those who want a sustainable career, good income and wish to settle in Germany long-term without having to worry about the high cost of studying nursing in Germany.
II. Conditions for studying nursing in Germany
To start the nursing Ausbildung program in Germany, candidates need to meet some basic but mandatory criteria. Understanding the conditions for studying nursing in Germany will help you prepare your application effectively and save time.
1. Age and educational requirements
The educational and age requirements for vocational study in Germany are often flexible, but the following criteria must be met:
- Academic qualifications
Applicants must have graduated from high school in Vietnam. This is a basic requirement for vocational schools (Berufsschule) and German partners to accept your application. If you have higher qualifications such as intermediate, college, or university (especially in fields related to medicine and pharmacy), it will be a great competitive advantage when employers review your application.
- Age
Most recruitment agencies and vocational schools in Germany give priority to candidates between the ages of 18 and under 30. However, many programs still accept applications up to the age of 35 if the candidate has a valid reason and shows seriousness and determination to pursue nursing in Germany.
2. German language certificate B2 - Mandatory requirement
Unlike other professions, Ausbildung Pflege is directly related to human life and health. In the working environment of hospitals or nursing homes, you have to communicate medical information, understand medical orders, grasp patient psychology and exchange complex technical information in German.
Having German B2 is not only a condition for applying for a German nursing visa but also a survival skill in the job. Without B2, it will be difficult for you to sign an official nursing Ausbildung contract.
3. Other requirements for health and nursing study abroad records
- Occupational health
Candidates must undergo a rigorous medical examination and must have a certificate of physical fitness to work as a nurse. Nursing in Germany is a profession that requires endurance, stamina and the ability to work in shifts (including night and weekend shifts).
- Personal profile and contract
The application must be complete and accurately translated and notarized. In particular, you need a nursing Ausbildung contract signed between you and a partner/medical facility in Germany. This is the most important evidence confirming your acceptance into the program and is the key to applying for a German nursing visa. The Motivation Letter must be carefully written, clearly expressing the desire to work and settle in Germany in the medical industry.
- Proof of financial means (Sperrkonto)
Although the nursing study abroad program in Germany has a salary (the German nursing study salary is enough to cover living expenses), in some cases, the Visa issuing authority still requires you to prove that you have enough money in a blocked account (Sperrkonto) to cover living expenses in the first stage (about €11,208/year).
If the apprenticeship salary is not guaranteed from the first month or as a contingency. However, if your German nursing contract already specifies a living wage, this proof can be waived or reduced.
III. Salary for nursing study abroad in Germany
1. Nursing apprenticeship salary in Germany
|
Apprenticeship Year |
Average salary (EUR/month) |
Converted salary (VND/month, ~25,000 VND/EUR) |
|
Year 1 |
1,100 – 1,200 |
27,500,000 – 30,000,000 |
|
Year 2 |
1,150 – 1,250 |
28,750,000 – 31,250,000 |
|
Year 3 |
1,250 – 1,300 |
31,250,000 – 32,500,000 |
2. Official nurse salary in Germany after graduation
|
Work location |
Average salary (EUR/month) |
Converted salary (VND/month, ~25,000 VND/EUR) |
|
Newly graduated nurses |
2,500 – 2,800 |
62,500,000 – 70,000,000 |
|
Experienced nurses |
3,000 – 3,500 |
75,000,000 – 87,500,000 |
|
Highly skilled nurses |
4,000 – 4,500 |
100,000,000 – 112,500,000 |
IV. Procedures for applying for a visa to study nursing in Germany
Applying for a German vocational training visa (National visa/D-Visa) is the final and mandatory step for you to enter and start the nursing Ausbildung program in Germany. This process requires careful and accurate preparation of documents, especially documents related to work and language.
Step 1: Complete basic conditions and sign the contract
The first step is to fully meet the conditions for studying nursing in Germany and get a guarantee from Germany. You need to complete the German B2 certificate - this is the key language requirement to be able to apply for a German nursing visa.
At the same time, you must make an effort to find and sign an official nursing Ausbildung contract (Ausbildungsvertrag) with a medical facility in Germany. This contract is the most authentic proof that you have been accepted into the program and will receive a German nursing apprenticeship salary during the entire course of study.
Step 2: Prepare personal and financial documents
After having a German nursing contract, you prepare your personal and financial documents as required by the Embassy/Consulate. Personal documents include: visa application, passport photo, valid passport, curriculum vitae (CV) and motivation letter with notarized translation.
Financially, because the nursing study abroad program in Germany is paid, you are usually exempted from proving your financial resources through a blocked account (Sperrkonto) if the salary stated in the contract is higher than the minimum living expenses in Germany. However, if the first year's salary is not enough, you still have to open a blocked account with the required amount (about €11,208 for 1 year).
Step 3: Make an appointment and attend the visa interview
Once your application is complete, you will need to make an appointment to submit your German nursing visa application at the German Embassy or Consulate in Vietnam. The review process can take from 1 to 3 months. During the interview, the consular officer will check the authenticity of the documents.
In addition, questions are asked about the reasons for choosing nursing in Germany, your career goals, and your ability to adapt to life in Germany. The ability to communicate fluently in German B2 during the interview is a decisive factor in the approval of your German nursing visa application.
Step 4: Receive visa and complete post-entry procedures
If your application is approved, you will receive a short-term (3-6 months) German nursing visa (usually a National visa D-Visa) to enter the country. Immediately after arriving in Germany, you need to complete the required administrative procedures.
Specifically, you must register your residence (Anmeldung) at the population registration office and then apply for a long-term residence permit at the Foreigners' Office (Ausländerbehörde) to continue your Ausbildung Pflege program, opening up a stable career path and the opportunity to settle in Germany in the future.
V. Job opportunities and future permanent settlement
- Employment rate is almost absolute (100%)
The need for nurses in Germany is urgent due to the aging population. After completing the Ausbildung Pflege program, international students are almost certain to find employment in hospitals, nursing homes or medical centers. This is a sustainable industry and is less affected by economic fluctuations.
- High and stable salary after graduation
Newly graduated nurses receive around 62-70 million VND/month, and can reach 100 million VND/month in high-level professional positions. Stable income, enough to live comfortably and save, clearly different from many other industries. Salary also increases according to seniority, experience and additional professional certifications.
- Clear and prioritized settlement path
The nursing industry is given special priority by the German Government, helping to shorten the time to apply for a permanent residence card. After 5 years of work, you can legally settle down, sponsor relatives and enjoy full European social benefits. This is the ideal choice for those who want to build a career and a long-term life in Germany.
- Opportunities for professional development and advancement
Nurses can pursue further professional qualifications, take on managerial, teaching or research roles. The profession not only offers high income but also opens up a long-term and sustainable career path. Furthermore, the modern German medical environment will create conditions for you to continuously improve your skills and update your knowledge.
VI. Difficulties and challenges when studying nursing in Germany
- Language barriers and cultural communication
You need to master German B2 and complex medical terminology, and at the same time understand the serious communication and working culture of German people. Practicing the language early will help you be more confident in studying, practicing and integrating with colleagues. In addition, good language skills are also the key to furthering your nursing career in Germany.
- Work and physical stress
Nursing in Germany requires great stamina, shift work (night shifts, weekends, holidays) and often has to face difficult physical and mental situations. This is a big challenge but also trains you in patience, perseverance and pressure management skills.
- Initial financial issues and spending management
You must fully prepare the initial cost of studying nursing in Germany and learn how to manage your personal account effectively even though you have a salary from studying nursing in Germany. If you know how to spend reasonably, you can still accumulate savings for the future. This is also a valuable lesson in personal financial management skills.
- Challenges of administrative procedures and integration
You need to proactively handle the procedures for residence registration (Anmeldung) and residence permit extension at the Foreigners' Office, and at the same time make efforts to integrate into German social life. Joining international student groups or the Vietnamese community in Germany will help you receive a lot of practical support.
Conclusion
Studying nursing in Germany is a smart investment decision, bringing double value: receiving a prestigious international degree and being guaranteed a stable nursing job in Germany with a high nursing salary in Germany. If you are ready for a humane and sustainable career in Europe, start preparing your application today.
