Moving to Germany as a nurse
The indicative nurse salary band is short of the 2026 EU Blue Card threshold.
Mean gross earnings of the "Technicians and associate professionals" ISCO-08 major group — 3,237 €/month, about 38,844 €/year — sit below the 45,934 €/year threshold for shortage occupations; the gap is about 7,090 €/year. Senior roles and shortage-list entries can still clear it individually.
- Blue Card threshold 2026
- 45,934 €/year (shortage rate)
- Indicative salary band
- 3,237 €/month (ISCO major-group mean, SES 2022)
- Regulated profession
- Yes — recognition via anabin / Anerkennung in Deutschland
How the threshold applies
Nurses appear on Germany's 2026 shortage-occupation list (health-associate-professionals-not-elsewhere-classified, health-care-assistants), so the reduced threshold of 45,934 €/year applies. Both thresholds are statutory gross annual salary and change every January; the number on this page is the value.
Recognition and next steps
This is a regulated profession in Germany: foreign qualifications need recognition through anabin / Anerkennung in Deutschland before you can work in it. The official portal lists the authority, documents and process.
Open the recognition portalContinue with the Germany country profile, the visa route overview, or compare German cities by cost and salary.