Ensuring nursing care: Munich turns to international skilled workers

The shortage of skilled workers has posed major challenges for the nursing care sector for years. For this reason, there can be no other sector as committed to recruiting international talent as the healthcare sector.

Munich has now taken one step further: in order to help international nursing care professionals in Munich navigate the recognition process and enter their profession more quickly, the Competence Centre for International Care (Kompetenzzentrum internationale Pflege, in short: KiP) at München Klinik was opened in September 2025. In addition to the approximately 500 professionals currently processed annually, up to 500 more people each year are expected to successfully complete the recognition process there in future.

Once their qualifications have been recognised, the international nursing professionals are to be integrated into Munich’s hospitals and residential care homes. The pilot project, planned to run for three years, was initiated and funded by the Munich Department of Health (Münchner Gesundheitsreferat, in short: GSR) and awarded through a public tender process; it aims to help accelerate the recognition of international professional qualifications.

München Klinik has had positive experiences with recruiting international professionals and looks back on many years of experience: “We have been employing international staff in the nursing sector for more than ten years, from both EU and non-EU countries. Currently, around 8,000 people from over 80 nations work at München Klinik (MüK), caring for patients from Munich and all over the world,” explains Petra Geistberger, Managing Director (CHRO) and Director of Human Resources at München Klinik. According to Geistberger, many international colleagues also join München Klinik by applying directly for positions or via existing contacts with staff members.

The sustainable recruitment of international skilled workers begins with fair and transparent processes. München Klinik also adheres to this principle.

“When it comes to recruitment, we see fairness as non-negotiable. Where necessary, we work exclusively with recruitment agencies that meet the requirements of the dedicated tendering process and have been awarded the contract,” emphasises Petra Geistberger.

However, the successful recruitment of skilled workers does not end with the signing of the contract. Effective integration measures are essential in ensuring that new employees develop a long-term commitment to the organisation.

“We completely redesigned every aspect of the integration process around two years ago: we want to help new colleagues settle in both professionally and personally, whilst at the same time responding more effectively to the needs of existing teams,” says Geistberger.

This holistic approach is crucial: every skilled professional is a person who wants to settle into not only a new working environment but also a new country. Close support builds trust, security and long-term loyalty.

Support for international skilled professionals begins early at München Klinik. “Even before they arrive, there is regular contact to familiarise them with our processes. During the first three months, we focus on settling in on the ward, followed by a preparatory course combined with language lessons,” explains Petra Geistberger.

In addition, integration officers – such as those employed by München Klinik – can act as personal points of contact for international talent. This provides greater guidance and reassurance.

Another key element is sustained language support. Most international talents arrive with German language skills at B2 level. This forms a good foundation, but one that needs to be further extended. Therefore, language courses should also be offered after their arrival in Germany.

München Klinik relies on modern technologies for linguistic and cultural preparation. “We use VR headsets and artificial intelligence to practise typical conversational situations in a hospital setting and to reflect on both the linguistic and cultural aspects within the training scenario. This ensures additional confidence for their start on the ward,” explains Petra Geistberger.

This practical training specifically prepares healthcare professionals for the demands of day-to-day work and enables them to further develop their communication skills in a safe environment.