Because of the strict immigration policies and cumbersome bureaucracy, the shortage of nursing staff in Germany’s healthcare sector, which relies on recruiting nurses from abroad, has worsened.
Jenny Wurtha, Head of Nursing at Frankfurt Hospital, explained that German hospitals mainly recruit overseas nurses through the Skilled Foreign Workers Recruitment Program, particularly from the Philippines and Brazil. However, hiring nurses from abroad involves lengthy and complex procedures that require considerable time and effort. ‘If I hire someone today, I have no idea when they will arrive,’ Wurtha said.
Foreign nurses make up about 5% of Frankfurt Hospital’s staff. The process of hiring foreigners in the health sector takes a long time, as they must first enroll in German language courses in their countries of origin, after which they undergo a professional assessment in Germany before having their qualifications recognized and starting work in hospitals.
Recruitment officers in hospitals maintain regular contact with overseas nurses throughout the lengthy hiring process, reaching out once a month to ensure it is conducted transparently. Contracts are drafted in both German and the language of the nurse’s home country.
Wurtha, who is responsible for liaising with foreign nurses, criticized the variation in recognition and approval procedures across different states. In some places, the process takes nearly three years, while in others it takes only three months. She also criticized the lack of follow-up on applications, noting that hospitals submit requests but do not receive responses for a long time. Wurtha called for greater transparency so that clinics can plan effectively. She said, “This will also help digitize and standardize administrative processes nationwide. At present, applicants must decide in advance which federal state they want to work in, as recognition procedures for their qualifications differ across the country due to the federal structure.
She noted that the integration manager plays a role in facilitating the arrival of nurses and praised the important contribution of foreign nurses, who bring new ideas and expertise from their home countries. The integration manager, therefore, helps incoming nurses find housing, open a bank account, and also provides assistance with family reunification.
Remarkably, the healthcare sector is among those suffering from a shortage of skilled workers. According to 2024 statistics, many sectors of the German economy also face a shortage of skilled labor, particularly in industry, construction, and transportation. However, the federal government’s adoption of a strict immigration policy hinders the employment of migrants.
