Informative Materials – Germany

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1 Informative Materials – Germany
1.1 Education paths leading to professional caregiving in Germany
1.2 Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning
1.3 Information for foreigners who want to become or work as formal caregivers in Germany
1.4 Employment conditions in Germany; recognition procedures for the purpose of work; language requirements; employment regulations
1.5 Specific training for people who come from specific countries to Germany (as low-skilled foreigners)
1.6 Information on earning
1.7 Job offers
1.8 Some statistic data
1.9 Link to relevant websites in country
1.10 Useful materials
1.11 References

Education paths leading to professional caregiving in Germany

A nursing assistant (‘Gesundheits- und Krankenpflegehelfer’) is not a regulated profession in Germany. But, nursing assistants in Germany, also known as healthcare assistants, typically attend one-year vocational programs in the same schools as nurses. They have to demonstrate their fitness for the job to the local health authority of the federal state to be allowed to practice their profession. The EQF is required for caregiving.

But, even if you still do not possess the right qualifications, you can complete vocational training in Germany (it can be free of charge) to become eligible for the German labour market.

For some offers of traineeship for becoming caregivers, you can see the following link:

Apprenticeship to become a qualified carer with the AWO

Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning

Foreigners wishing to work in Germany as nursing assistants/caregivers will also have to submit their diplomas, proof of professional experience and other relevant documents (language certificate, medical certificate and criminal record certificate) to the local health authority of the corresponding federal state. This procedure is state-specific, and it is not as strictly regulated as that for a nurse. There is no registration, just a permit to practice the profession, also based on practical exams.

Information for foreigners who want to become or work as formal caregivers in Germany

Foreigners who want to become professional caregivers in Germany should ask for legal recognition of their titles obtained in the country of origin.

For this procedure, you can  ask the German National Enic – Naric center: Germany – ENIC-NARIC

For the recognition of your diploma, you will need to have your qualifications recognized by the German health authority in the federal state where you wish to seek employment. The procedure depends on the country where you earned your qualifications (either an EU/EFTA country or a third country).

Employment conditions in Germany; recognition procedures for the purpose of work; language requirements; employment regulations

For general employment conditions information regarding EU citizens in Germany, you can  see the following official page of the European Commission: Living and working conditions: Germany

For the procedure of recognition of diplomas for work purposes, please see the following official page of the German government: Recognition Portal

Language requirements: to perform their tasks correctly and cooperate with employers, families, other professionals and, of course, seniors, aspirant foreigner caregivers need to have an adequate command of the German language.

In Germany, you can work as a caregiver if you have the right qualifications and experience and can speak German at least at B2 level.

In the unlikely event that the qualifications of a nursing assistant are found to be inadequate, applicants may be asked to complete vocational training in Germany or in their home country for up to one year in duration. In case of insufficient language proficiency, they may be asked to take an intensive language course.

Here is a helpful link for learning specific German for caregivers: German for doctors and caregivers | Communication Akoun Scholten

Specific training for people who come from specific countries to Germany (as low-skilled foreigners)

There are no specific trainings for low-skilled foreigners who come to Germany

Information on earning

Since January 1st, 2023, the minimum gross salary of a senior caregiver working in the public sector in Germany is 18.25 euros per hour (i.e., 3,175 euros a month), whereas the minimum salary of a junior caregiver is 15.25 euros per hour (2,654 euros a month). A caregiver with 10 or more years of experience can earn up to 3,550 euros a month gross. These salaries apply to a 40-hour work per week.
Salaries will vary a lot based on your experience, location and skills.

Job offers

You can find caregiver job opportunities in Germany through various channels, such as online job portals (e.g., StepStone, Indeed), recruitment agencies specializing in healthcare, and the Federal Employment Agency’s (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) job listings.

Here is a link to some good job offers in caregiving and nursing in Germany:

Category: Job Opportunities

Some statistic data

Under an assumption of no policy change, the Ageing Report scenario suggests that public expenditure as a share of GDP would rise from 1.3% to 2.7% (EU-27: 1.6%-3.1%) by 2070. The impact of a progressive shift from the informal to the formal sector of care in Germany would entail an estimated increase by 178% in the share of GDP devoted to public expenditure on long-term care (128% on average for the EU27).

So, Germany needs tens of thousands of caregivers and keeps its doors open to foreigners willing to move to Germany to fill these job vacancies.

Link to relevant websites in country

Recognition Portal

Germany – ENIC-NARIC

Useful materials

Moving to Germany – 2023 Complete Guide

References