Profession guide
Working in Europe as a Nurse
Nursing is an automatic-recognition profession for EU/EEA-trained nurses under EU Directive 2005/36/EC. Non-EU nurses must complete a full recognition procedure.
EU regulation
Regulation status in Europe
Covered by EU Directive 2005/36/EC
This profession is one of the seven listed under the automatic recognition regime. EU and EEA-trained professionals receive recognition on production of qualifying certificates — no substantive assessment is required. Non-EU professionals must go through the general-system or national procedure.
Nursing is regulated in every EU member state and covered by the automatic recognition regime. EU and EEA-trained nurses can have their qualifications recognised without a substantive assessment. Non-EU nurses must apply to the national nursing chamber or health authority and may face aptitude tests or supervised adaptation periods.
Countries where this profession is regulated (15)
Permit routes
Relevant permit routes
The EU Blue Card is available in most countries for nursing roles that meet the salary threshold, but many nursing positions in public health systems fall below Blue Card salary floors. The standard skilled-worker permit is often the more realistic route for hospital and clinical nursing roles.
Qualification recognition
Country-level recognition guides
The following countries have detailed qualification recognition information in their country guides.
Belgien
general system
Dänemark
automatic
Deutschland
general system
Finnland
automatic
Frankreich
automatic
Irland
automatic
Italien
automatic
Lettland
automatic
Litauen
automatic
Niederlande
automatic
Österreich
general system
Rumänien
automatic
Slowakei
general system
Spanien
automatic
Zypern
automatic
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