Study Nursing in Germany 2026: Complete Guide for International Students
Contents
Are you thinking about a career in nursing? Germany can be a great place to start. With a stable education system, a well-organized healthcare sector, and top-tier medical technology, Germany has much to offer aspiring nurses. Whether you're just starting or looking to advance your education, studying Nursing in Germany could be a smart move.
Int. Study Programs
Universities
Cities
Why Study Nursing in Germany as an International Student?
Germany's reputation for quality education and healthcare makes it a great place to study Nursing. Here are a few reasons why:
- Experiential Study: German Nursing programs teach students with practical examples, providing a hands-on experience from day one.
- Affordable costs: Many public universities in Germany charge low or no tuition fees for international students, making education more accessible.
- Strong healthcare system: As a Nursing student, you'll train in one of the world's best healthcare systems, using cutting-edge technology and methods.
- International environment: With students from around the globe, German universities provide an international setting that allows you to gain perspectives about different healthcare systems and cultures.
- Career opportunities: After graduation, you’ll find numerous opportunities within the country, especially since there’s a high demand for Nursing graduates in both public and private healthcare facilities.
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Nursing Salaries in Germany: What You'll Earn After Graduation
One of the top questions international students ask: "How much will I earn as a nurse in Germany?" Here's the honest breakdown:
Important notes:
- These are gross salaries (before tax)
- After tax: Expect ~70% net (€2,000-2,300/month net for entry-level)
- Additional pay: Night shifts (+25%), weekends (+50%), holidays (+100%)
- Realistic first-year total with bonuses: €40,000-45,000 gross
Mid-Career Salaries (5+ Years Experience)
Leadership Positions
Additional benefits: - Night shift bonus: +25% hourly rate - Weekend bonus: +50% hourly rate - Holiday bonus: +100% hourly rate - 30 days paid vacation (standard in Germany) - Health Insurance covered by employer.
Nursing Studies in Germany in English
German universities are actively working on accommodating international students by offering English nursing programs. While many Nursing courses are available in German, there has been an upward trend in English language programs. This makes it possible for non-German speakers to get a Nursing education in Germany without a language barrier.
English-taught programs
Some universities offer these programs entirely in English, making them a great option for international students.
International collaboration
Many English-taught programs partner with hospitals and healthcare institutions around the world, giving you the chance to gain international experience and insights.
Language preparation
If you find a program you like but it’s primarily in German, many universities also offer preparatory language courses to help you reach the required proficiency.
Accessibility
Nursing studies in English can make the transition to living and studying in Germany easier, as many universities also offer German Language courses as part of their degrees.
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Top 10 Nursing Universities in Germany for International Students
Here are the best universities for studying nursing in Germany, organized by language and program type:
English-Taught Programs (No German Required to Start)
1. Hof University
Program: M.Sc. Cross Cultural Nursing Practice
Language: English
Tuition: €0 (only semester fee: €130)
Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
Location: Hof, Bavaria
Admission: Bachelor's in Nursing + 1 year work experience + IELTS 6.5
Why choose: Only fully English Master's in Nursing in Germany, focus on international healthcare
Apply: hof-university.de/en
2. Heidelberg University
Program: B.Sc. Interprofessional Healthcare
Language: English + German (bilingual)
Tuition: €1,500/semester
Duration: 4 years (8 semesters)
Location: Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg
Admission: High school diploma + IELTS 6.5 + German A2 (can improve during studies)
Why choose: Prestigious university, combines nursing with other healthcare professions
Apply: uni-heidelberg.de/en
3. Private University of Witten/Herdecke
Program: M.Sc. Nursing Science
Language: English + German
Tuition: €4,962/semester
Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
Location: Witten, North Rhine-Westphalia
Admission: Bachelor's in Nursing + work experience + IELTS 7.0
Why choose: Research-focused, small class sizes, strong industry connections
Apply: uni-wh.de/en
German-Taught Programs (German B2 Required)
4. Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Program: B.Sc. Nursing (Pflege)
Language: German
Tuition: €0 (semester fee: €315)
Duration: 3 years (6 semesters)
Location: Berlin
Admission: High school diploma + German B2 (TestDaF 4)
Why choose: #1 medical school in Germany, best reputation, Berlin location
Apply: charite.de
5. Catholic University of Applied Sciences Freiburg
Program: B.Sc. Nursing (Pflegewissenschaft)
Language: German
Tuition: €540/semester
Duration: 3.5 years (7 semesters)
Location: Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg
Admission: High school diploma + German B2
Why choose: Strong Catholic hospital network, guaranteed clinical placements
Apply: kh-freiburg.de
6. Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg)
Program: B.Sc. Nursing (Pflege Dual)
Language: German
Tuition: €0 (PAID PROGRAM - earn €1,000-1,200/month while studying!)
Duration: 3.5 years (dual program)
Location: Hamburg
Admission: Training contract with hospital + German B2
Why choose: Get PAID while studying, guaranteed job after graduation
Apply: haw-hamburg.de
7. University of Bremen
Program: B.Sc. Nursing Science (Pflegewissenschaft)
Language: German
Tuition: €0 (semester fee: €380)
Duration: 3 years (6 semesters)
Location: Bremen
Admission: High school diploma + German B2/C1
Why choose: Focus on public health nursing, international perspective
Apply: uni-bremen.de/en
8. University of Bielefeld
Program: B.Sc. Health Sciences (Nursing specialization)
Language: German
Tuition: €0 (semester fee: €290)
Duration: 3 years (6 semesters)
Location: Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia
Admission: High school diploma + German C1
Why choose: Interdisciplinary approach, combines nursing with public health
Apply: uni-bielefeld.de/en
9. Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences
Program: B.Sc. Nursing (Pflege)
Language: German
Tuition: €0 (semester fee: €335)
Duration: 3.5 years (7 semesters)
Location: Frankfurt
Admission: High school diploma + German B2
Why choose: Major city with many hospitals, strong job market
Apply: frankfurt-university.de/en
10. Esslingen University of Applied Sciences
Program: B.Sc. Nursing (Pflege)
Language: German
Tuition: €1,500/semester (Baden-Württemberg non-EU fee)
Duration: 3 years (6 semesters)
Location: Esslingen (near Stuttgart), Baden-Württemberg
Admission: High school diploma + German B2
Why choose: Near Stuttgart hospitals, modern facilities
Apply: hs-esslingen.de/en
Study in Germany: Nursing Course and Degrees
Unlike many other fields where theoretical knowledge is often taught separately from its practical application, Nursing students in Germany gain both theoretical and practical experience. This prepares them well for the demands of the healthcare profession from the moment they graduate.
Dual Vocational Training (Ausbildung) in Nursing
Dual Vocational Training combines classroom education with practical experience in healthcare settings. This is a popular option for students who want to enter a nursing profession with a strong practical foundation.
- Duration: 3 years
- Focus: Practical nursing skills, patient care, healthcare procedures
- Career: Registered nurse, positions in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities
Bachelor's in Nursing
Another great option is getting a bachelor's degree in Nursing (often referred to as "Pflegewissenschaft" or "Pflege"). It is suitable for those who want to gain a more academic and theoretical understanding of nursing.
- Duration: 3 to 4 years
- Focus: Nursing science, advanced patient care, healthcare management, research methods
- Career: Advanced nursing roles, healthcare administration
Master's in Nursing
For those who already have a bachelor's degree in Nursing or a related field, pursuing a master's degree in Nursing in Germany offers opportunities for advanced education and specialization.
- Duration: 2 years
- Focus: Advanced clinical practice, nursing management, nursing education, research
- Career: Specialized clinical roles, leadership, nurse educator or trainer, healthcare research
💡 Curious about other subjects you can study in Germany?
Browse the full list of study programs available in Germany by subject and degree. For more tips on applying, financing your studies, and settling in, check out our Study in Germany hub.
Nursing-Related Studies in Germany
Public Health
Germany has great public health programs that provide comprehensive training in health promotion, disease prevention, and health policy development. Public health degrees often include coursework and practical experiences that prepare students to address health issues on a population level. This involves developing policies and programs that promote public health and prevent disease.
- Focus: Epidemiology, health promotion, public health policy, global health
- Career: Public health nurse, health educator, epidemiologist, public health consultant
Healthcare Management
Healthcare management programs give students the skills they need to manage teams, resources, and processes to improve healthcare services. Nurses can move into leadership and administrative roles with this qualification.
- Focus: Healthcare administration, management strategies, health economics, quality improvement
- Career: Healthcare manager, hospital administrator, healthcare consultant, clinical director
Medical Informatics
Programs in medical informatics combine healthcare knowledge with IT skills, preparing graduates to implement and manage healthcare technologies that enhance patient care and data management.
- Focus: Health information systems, data management, telemedicine, health IT solutions
- Career: Health informatics specialist, clinical informaticist, IT manager in healthcare, telehealth coordinator
Germany vs Other Countries for Nursing Students
Should you study nursing in Germany or elsewhere? Here's an honest comparison:
💰 Savings by choosing Germany: €31,000-85,000
After Graduation: Salary & Debt
Work Visa After Graduation
Why Germany Wins for Most Students
Choose Germany if:
- ✅ You want to graduate debt-free (€0 student loans)
- ✅ You value work-life balance (30 vacation days, strong labor protections)
- ✅ You want job security (200,000+ nursing positions unfilled)
- ✅ You're open to learning German (or choose English programs)
- ✅ You want to work anywhere in EU (German degree recognized in all EU countries)
Choose USA if:
- You prioritize higher salary (but factor in $60,000+ debt)
- You have full scholarships (rare but possible)
- You specifically want to practice in USA long-term
Choose UK if:
- You want shorter degree (3 years vs 4 in USA)
- English-only is essential (but still expensive at £57,000 total)
- You prefer NHS training system
Bottom line: Germany offers the best value - zero debt + strong education + guaranteed job market = best long-term outcome for most international students.
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