In Germany there is a wide range of advisory centres and support services specifically for foreign nurses, which help both with professional recognition and with integration into the labour market and everyday life. Here are the most important contact points and services:
🟦 1. Central contact points and information portals
✅ BQ-Portal (www.bq-portal.de)
Operated by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs. Offers extensive information on the recognition of foreign professional qualifications.
✅ Recognition in Germany (www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de)
Official federal portal. Step-by-step guidance on recognition and the competent authorities.
✅ Make it in Germany (www.make-it-in-germany.com)
Multilingual information portal of the Federal Government for skilled workers – with a focus on visas, working and living in Germany.
🟦 2. Specialised advisory bodies
✅ Central Service Point for Professional Recognition (ZSBA)
Supports professional recognition and refers people to regional advisory centres.
www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/zsba
✅ IQ Network – “Integration through Qualification”
Represented nationwide. Offers recognition advice, language support, adaptation programmes and coaching.
www.netzwerk-iq.de
🟦 3. Trade unions and social providers
✅ ver.di (United Services Trade Union)
Offers legal advice, help with employment contracts, support in cases of discrimination and much more.
✅ Caritas, Diakonie, AWO, DRK
Many welfare associations offer low-threshold advice, integration support and also help finding accommodation.
🟦 4. Regional advisory centres and migration services
- Migration counselling for adults (MBE): Across providers, nationwide.
- Youth Migration Services (JMD): For nurses under 27 years of age.
- Welcome Centers (e.g. Lower Saxony, Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria etc.): Regional welcome and advisory centres for international skilled workers.
🟦 5. Special advisory centres against exploitation
✅ Fair Integration (www.faire-integration.de)
Part of the IQ Network. Offers employment-law advice specifically for migrants.
✅ Service Point Fair Recruitment Nursing Germany
Supports nurses and secures fair placement under the quality seal “Fair Recruitment Nursing”.
www.faire-anwerbung-pflege-deutschland.de
