In 2026, nursing is one of the easiest and most financially supported jobs for international students in Germany. The German government and hospitals have made it possible for people to study for free instead of paying tuition because there aren’t enough healthcare workers.
The two main paths are the Nursing Ausbildung (Vocational Training) and the Academic Nursing Degree (Bachelor of Science).
1. Nursing Ausbildung (the “Paid” Way)
The Pflegefachfrau/Pflegefachmann (Nursing Specialist) Program is a three-year job training program. The most popular choice is the programme because it is completely free and provides a monthly salary (stipend) from the start.
- Monthly Stipend (Rates for 2026):
- First Year: About €1,340 to €1,416
- Second Year: about €1,400 to €1,477
- 3rd Year: About €1,500 to €1,578
- If your stipend is above the minimum living amount (about €992/month), you don’t need a “Blocked Account” for your visa.
- Language Requirement: To understand medical instructions and talk to patients, you need a B2 German Certificate (Goethe or Telc).
- You apply directly to German hospitals or nursing schools (Pflegeschule) instead of a university.
2. A double Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Many German universities, like HAW Hamburg and the University of Bremen, have “dual” programmes. These offer both a university degree and a contract for practical training.
- Value: The partner hospital usually pays for these programmes in full, just like in Ausbildung. While you are in college, you get a monthly stipend of about €1,100 to €1,300.
- Degree: You receive a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree and a professional nursing licence when you graduate. This makes it easier to move up the career ladder in management or in specialised clinical roles.
- You need a high school diploma that is the same as the German Abitur and a B2 or C1 level of German.
3. DAAD and Foundation Scholarships (for students who want to go to college)
You can apply for outside scholarships to help with living costs if you are working towards a non-dual, research-based bachelor’s or master’s in nursing science (Pflegewissenschaft).
- DAAD Scholarship: Master’s students can get between €934 and €992 a month, and PhD researchers can get between €1,200 and €1,300 a month.
- The Heinrich Böll and Friedrich Ebert Foundations give money to students who are involved in politics or social issues. They want people who speak German at a B2/C1 level and pay up to €992 a month.
- Deutschlandstipendium: A merit-based award of €300 per month available at almost every German university.
4. Top Universities for Nursing Science 2026
Public universities don’t charge tuition, except for a small fee each semester. These schools have the best nursing programmes:
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin is the best place in Germany to study medicine and nursing.
- Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences is a leader in nursing research that is based on evidence.
- Bochum University of Applied Sciences has an integrated professional training program lasting eight semesters.
5. Deadlines for applications for 2026
- Winter Semester (starts in September): Most nursing applications for universities close between June 15 and July 15, 2026.
- Nursing Ausbildung: Many hospitals hire new nurses in April and September. You should apply between January and April 2026 if you want to start in September 2026.
Final Thoughts
The best way to get a scholarship to study nursing in Germany in 2026 is to get a nursing Ausbildung or a dual bachelor’s degree. These pathways do away with the need for a blocked account and give you a monthly salary that covers all of your living expenses. The “hidden cost,” though, is the time it takes to learn B2German, which is necessary for patient safety. If you just graduated from high school, work on your language skills now so you’re ready for the 2027 intake.
Do you already have a B1 or B2 German certificate, or are you just starting to learn the language?
