What awaits you

To become a specialist nurse in Germany, it is necessary to obtain a Bachelor’s degree. To do this, you choose a specialty that is trained in the hospital where you work. For example, you can choose a specialisation such as intensive care, psychology, oncology, anaesthesia, etc.. This training is theory-based and mainly practical. At the end of the training, you will take a subject check. If you pass this exam, you can continue to work as a specialist nurse in Germany.

The Sernitas Group opened an agency in Istanbul Ataşehir in April 2022 specifically for the recruitment of Turkish healthcare workers to Germany. Our goal is to support Turkish workers in all procedures to successfully employ and integrate them in Germany. At Sernitas HR, we take care of all candidates and accompany them from the application phase to their first day of work, even after that we are still there for them. We ensure that the whole process is professional and successful, as well as all the necessary procedures in Germany and the relevant language support and integration.

1. examination and evaluation of CVs and certificates. 

2. personal counselling in all processes and procedures.

3. determination of the level of German language skills. Counselling, as well as language courses to encourage language development. Support in fulfilling the language requirements. 

4. preparing adequate CVs and an application profile in German according to German standards, as well as drafting application documents.

5. preparing applicants for job interviews in health care institutions, as well as finding a job.

6. accompanying job interviews with health care institutions and interpreters.

7. checking and translating the employment contract. 

8. processing and checking visa applications and the necessary documents.

9. assistance with the examination to obtain a language certificate at level B1 or B2. 

10. organising and booking travel to Germany, including airport pick-up. 

11. organising and providing furnished accommodation near the place of work. 

12. applying for health insurance and assistance with all other necessary administrative procedures.

13. opening a German bank account. 

14. registering residence with the registration office.

15. applying for work and residence permits. 

16. assistance with integration both in Germany and in your new working environment.

The Sernitas Group has set up a counselling office in Turkey to support Turkish workers. The internal services of Sernitas Turkey are provided to you free of charge. External services provided by third parties are to be paid by the applicant. The Sernitas Group only works with reputable service providers and strives to negotiate prices as cheaply as possible for your benefit. It is up to you to decide whether you want to use third party services or not.

The counselling and training services are free of charge for our applicants. All correspondence with the relevant authorities, preparation of application letters, attending interviews in German, signing contracts, applications, appointments at German consulates, preparation of work permits, insurances, coordination and organisation of travel and accommodation, as well as support and integration with the authorities in Germany are also provided free of charge by the Sernitas Group. External language courses, language tests and certificates from other providers, certified translations and authentications, visa costs at the German consulate, or flat rent in Germany must be paid by the applicant. In exceptional cases, financial support can be requested from us.

If you have sufficient language skills (B2), the procedure is completed in about three months from the date of your request. If your language skills are not sufficient, you will have to attend a course until you reach an appropriate level (at least B1). How long this takes, depends on your ambition and determination. Before entering Germany, you must obtain a German B1 language certificate. The length of the procedure is often difficult to determine, as it depends largely on the motivation and willingness of the applicant. An applicant who does not speak German at all can reach the B1 level in about nine to twelve months with average effort in a language course. The accelerated application procedure for skilled workers takes about two months once all the necessary documents have been submitted. Visa, entry and other procedures can take up to two months in total.

The Sernitas Group is located in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia with its own clinics and partnerships with other healthcare institutions. We present the candidates from our pool to the partner clinics. The clinics make a selection from this pool. Accordingly, the applicants receive enquiries from interested clinics and cannot select them in advance, as it is not clear which clinic will choose which applicant.

In Germany there is no distinction between male and female nurses, so you are welcome to apply for this profession. The tasks of nurses in Germany are very diverse. Nurses in their 4th year of training are usually responsible for the most important activities. Nurses without a Bachelor’s degree are called nursing assistants and serve as support for senior nurses with a four-year Bachelor’s degree. In this sense, the profession of nursing assistant in Germany is also of great importance.

When you arrive in Germany, you need about 1,000 euros to cover your daily needs until you get your first month’s salary. This amount is enough for accommodation, food, etc. for one month. Depending on where you work, the cost of living can vary.

Recognition in Germany is carried out individually for each applicant. Theoretical and practical knowledge, additional qualifications and professional experience acquired during studies in Turkey are recognised. However, these must be proven in writing. The examination may result in recognition or rejection of the profession, or deficits may be identified. About 60 % of the applications are recognised. More than 35% of the applications have deficits that have to be compensated.

If deficits are found, the theoretical and practical contents must be made up within two years. After that, a new examination takes place. After passing the exam, you can practice your profession without restrictions. During the time between the application and the recognition, you can work as a nursing assistant and receive a lower salary. After recognition, you will be paid like a registered nurse.

Only in exceptional cases are professions rejected. In the case of a rejection, employment as a nurse is temporarily not possible. However, this can be appealed and a new application can be made.

No, no specific level of experience is required for an application. Your professional experience will be taken into account in the recognition process.

In Germany, the salaries of medical staff are mostly standardised and paid according to collective agreements. Health care facilities are subject to collective agreements. The collective agreement is called TVÖD (Tarifvertrag für den öffentlichen Dienst). A nurse receives about 3,200 euros gross per month. Taxes and social security contributions are deducted from this, which are calculated differently depending on marital status, etc. A nurse’s assistant is paid about 3,200 euros per month. A nursing assistant receives about 2,300 euros gross per month. The allowances (overtime pay, above-tariff allowances, Christmas bonus, etc.) that the employer grants in addition to the salary are determined by the employer and may vary.

Holiday entitlement is regulated by law and amounts to 30 working days per year, regardless of age (§ 26 para. 1 TVöD). Weekends are not considered public holidays.

The working conditions for nurses in Germany can be described as very favourable. The legal working week is 39 hours without breaks (§6 Abs.1 TVöD), but working hours can vary depending on the health institution. The daily working time is 8 to a maximum of 10 hours. According to § 3 of the Working Hours Act, 10 hours may not be exceeded. Weekend work does not count towards annual leave entitlement. According to § 8 (1) TVöD, the employee is entitled to a time bonus in addition to the remuneration for the work actually performed. The time allowance for overtime is 15 or 30 per cent of the hourly rate, depending on the wage group. As the working and income conditions for nurses in Germany are more attractive than in Turkey, many health professionals apply for a job as a nurse in Germany not only from Turkey but also from other countries.

In Germany, you can obtain a work permit and a residence permit if you have no criminal record and can prove that you have a language level of B2. If you have all the necessary documents, it takes about 1 week to receive the permits. 

We will provide you with furnished accommodation near your workplace for at least 6 months. The prices range from about 350 to 600 euros per month. 

In principle, family reunification in Germany is possible if one spouse or one parent lives in Germany with a valid residence permit. However, the German language skills of the spouse joining the family must be at least level A1 (CEFR).