German B2 Pflege: what nurses abroad need
German B2 Pflege explained for nurses: which countries need it, the score or result each regulator sets, and where to book. Every figure shows its official source and the date we checked it.
What it is
Germany asks nurses trained abroad to show German at CEFR level B2 before the professional licence is issued, and to pass a knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or complete an adaptation course.
Each federal state (Land) decides which certificates and any nursing-German test it accepts, so confirm with your Land authority. Baden-Wuerttemberg assumes B1 for a residence permit to do an adaptation course from abroad.
Which countries need it
GermanyThe score or requirement in each country
Each entry shows the date we checked it and a link to the official page it comes from.
German, CEFR B2 (licence)
- Requirement
- CEFR level B2
- Notes
- B2 must be shown before the professional licence is issued. Accepted certificates and any nursing-German test are set by each Land authority (Goethe says an official exam or a test of technical nursing German may be required).
German, CEFR B1 (visa for adaptation course)
- Requirement
- CEFR level B1
- Notes
- Baden-Wuerttemberg assumes B1 for a residence permit to do an adaptation course from abroad; other Laender may differ.
Kenntnisprüfung (knowledge test)
- Provider
- Land authority with a nursing school and practice setting
- Requirement
- Oral part about 45 min plus practical part about 180 min with real or simulated patients, based on the German state exam
- Attempts
- Oral part and each care situation can be repeated once
Anpassungslehrgang (adaptation course, alternative)
- Provider
- Hospitals, care homes or outpatient services
- Requirement
- Supervised placements, on average 8-11 months, ending in a closing conversation per placement
Official booking and regulator links
The regulator page for each country and the official booking pages we checked.
- Germany: RegulatorRecognition authority of each federal state (Land), e.g. Regierungspraesidium Stuttgart in Baden-WuerttembergChecked 29 October 2026
- Germany: Goethe-InstitutGerman exams A1 to C2Checked 31 October 2026
- Germany: Goethe-InstitutGoethe-Zertifikat B2 practiceChecked 31 October 2026
- Germany: telc gGmbHtelc language testsChecked 31 October 2026
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Questions and answers
What is German B2 Pflege?
Germany asks nurses trained abroad to show German at CEFR level B2 before the professional licence is issued, and to pass a knowledge test (Kenntnisprüfung) or complete an adaptation course. Each federal state (Land) decides which certificates and any nursing-German test it accepts, so confirm with your Land authority. Baden-Wuerttemberg assumes B1 for a residence permit to do an adaptation course from abroad.
Which countries need German B2 Pflege?
In the destination data we hold: Germany. Each country page shows the regulator, the exam, the score and the date we last checked.
What score or result does each country require for German B2 Pflege?
Germany, German, CEFR B2 (licence): CEFR level B2 (checked 2026-10-29). Germany, German, CEFR B1 (visa for adaptation course): CEFR level B1 (checked 2026-10-29). Germany, Kenntnisprüfung (knowledge test): Oral part about 45 min plus practical part about 180 min with real or simulated patients, based on the German state exam. Oral part and each care situation can be repeated once (checked 2026-10-29). Germany, Anpassungslehrgang (adaptation course, alternative): Supervised placements, on average 8-11 months, ending in a closing conversation per placement (checked 2026-10-29).
Where can I check the official rules or book German B2 Pflege?
Germany, Recognition authority of each federal state (Land), e.g. Regierungspraesidium Stuttgart in Baden-Wuerttemberg: https://rp.baden-wuerttemberg.de/fileadmin/RP-Internet/Themenportal/Schule_und_Bildung/Berufliche_Ausbildung/Pflegeberufe_Ausland/Veranstaltungen/LPA_Info_Anerkennung_PfBG_FAQ.pdf; Germany, German exams A1 to C2 (Goethe-Institut): https://www.goethe.de/en/spr/prf.html; Germany, Goethe-Zertifikat B2 practice (Goethe-Institut): https://www.goethe.de/en/spr/prf/ueb/pb2.html; Germany, telc language tests (telc gGmbH): https://www.telc.net/.
Can I practise for German B2 Pflege here?
Yes. The German for nursing (B1/B2 Pflege) pool has 1,532 free practice questions. They are drafted with automated tools, checked by automated review steps, are not official exam material and are not reviewed item by item by a licensed nurse. Start with 5 questions.
General information from official sources, not legal or immigration advice.