Hire now, get recognised in Germany: what the recognition partnership asks of employers

The short answer

The recognition partnership (Anerkennungspartnerschaft) lets nurses from countries outside the EU come to Germany and work for you before their recognition is complete. The recognition procedure then only starts in Germany, alongside the job.

In return, you as the employer commit to enabling your nurse to close the gaps found in the recognition decision.

What is the recognition partnership?

The recognition partnership has existed since 1 March 2024 (Federal Ministry of the Interior). Its legal basis is § 16d(3) of the Residence Act.

The BIBB, Germany’s Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training, reported in August 2025 that the route is still little used, partly because of uncertainty about the procedure after arrival.

Which employers can use it

The employer must be suitable for training or further qualification. You show this to the Federal Employment Agency, for example through authorisation to train in the profession or previous successful qualification measures.

Because nursing is a regulated profession, this also applies: care homes and home-care services licensed under § 72 SGB XI can use the route. Hospitals and other employers must be bound by a collective agreement or be a church-law employer, and pay accordingly (Federal Employment Agency information sheet).

What the nurse needs

Your nurse needs:

• vocational training of at least two years or a university degree, state-recognised in the country where it was obtained
• confirmation of this from the ZAB, Germany’s central office for foreign education
• a concrete job offer from you
• German at A2 level or higher

A2 is the minimum for the visa, but it isn’t enough for recognition, which requires at least B2 (Make it in Germany). Plan language support from the start.

What the agreement says

You and your nurse sign a written agreement. The nurse commits to applying for recognition without delay after arrival. You commit to enabling the necessary qualification measures during employment, for example by releasing them from work.

The agreement can be part of the employment contract (Make it in Germany).

How the process works

1. It starts with the ZAB confirmation of the foreign qualification. You then request approval from the Federal Employment Agency using the “Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis” (declaration of employment), Zusatzblatt A and both parties’ declarations of commitment (Federal Employment Agency).
2. Your nurse applies for the visa at the German mission abroad. For a fee of €411, you can use the accelerated skilled-worker procedure (Service Berlin).
3. After arrival, your nurse applies for recognition without delay. If compensation under § 40 Abs. 3 PflBG is needed, they have the right to choose between the knowledge exam and an adaptation course.

How long the permit lasts

The residence permit is issued for up to one year at first and can be extended to three years in total. A stay under § 16d(3) can’t run longer than that.

Until the licence comes through, your nurse works in a role leading towards nursing, for example as a nursing assistant. Activities reserved for registered nurses under § 4 PflBG are excluded until then. A side job of up to 20 hours a week is also allowed.

With full recognition, your nurse usually switches to a skilled-worker residence permit under § 18a AufenthG. Other options need an individual assessment.

When a qualification measure fits better

Recognition partnership: quick check and permit timelineGuidance, not legal advice. Your organisationCare home or home-care service (licensed, § 72 SGB XI)Hospital bound by a collective agreementChurch-law employerHospital or other employer, not bound by a collective agreement Your nurse has State-recognised training of at least 2 years, or a university degree German at A2 or higher A concrete job offer from you ZAB confirmation of the foreign qualification Planned arrival date (optional)

Sources: § 16d(3) AufenthG; Federal Employment Agency; Make it in Germany. Permit dates assume the permit is issued on arrival.

If the recognition decision is already issued before arrival, a residence permit for a qualification measure under § 16d(1) is another option. The first permit then runs for up to 24 months, also with a three-year maximum.

It allows a side job of up to 20 hours a week that’s unrelated to the measure. With approval from the Federal Employment Agency, § 16d(2) also allows unlimited work related to the later profession.

The key difference: with the recognition partnership, the procedure only starts in Germany, and your nurse works for you from day one.

Photo: Unsplash+. Licensed under the Unsplash+ License.

How CareSteps helps

The agreement commits you to enabling your nurse to close the gaps. That’s where CareSteps comes in: we prepare internationally trained nurses for the knowledge exam and coordinate with employers and the responsible authorities.

Whether funding is available for the preparation is something to check with the Agentur für Arbeit’s employer service before the course starts. Our post on funding the knowledge exam explains how.

Next steps

If you’re planning a recognition partnership, email us. We’ll show you how exam preparation can fit your rota.