Caregiver jobs in Germany with visa sponsorship; Germany like several developed nations is starred with a rapidly aging population. With over 4 million people in need of long-term care, the demand for caregivers has continued to rise geometrically in Germany.
If you are a health professional looking to immigrate to Germany under the caregiver route, the good news is – there’s also a visa sponsorship opportunity available for you.
As local labor falls short, Germany is actively hiring foreign caregivers in 2025 and offering visa sponsorship to qualified candidates from abroad, this trend is not stopping anytime soon.
As a caregiver with the right attitude, this is your opportunity to build a legal and stable career in one of Europe’s most developed countries.
Why Germany needs foreign caregivers
The healthcare and elderly care systems in Germany are under pressure given;
- A rising elderly population requiring assistance
- A shortage of qualified German caregivers
- Increased demand in nursing homes, hospitals, and private residences.
In a bid to meet the growing need, Germany has opened its doors to foreign workers in the caregiving sector, as well as introduced streamlined immigration pathways under skilled immigration Act.
Mandatory employee benefits in Germany
German employment law requires employers to provide several statutory benefits to employees in Germany. Kindly find some mandatory employee benefits in Germany;
Health insurance
German law requires everyone working in the beautiful country to carry health insurance, and most are on public health insurance scheme.
Companies interested in hiring employees in Germany must contribute to their health insurance premiums.
There’s a flat contribution of 14.6% for health insurance, and is shared evenly between the employee and the employer.
Pension Plan
There are three layers of the German retirement plan: company pension plans, private retirement investments, and the public retirement insurance system (social security).
Company pension plans typically supplement the public retirement system.
Germany’s social security plan is mandatory for all employers and employees, and both must contribute. The current contribution rate for public pension is 18.6% and is shared evenly between the employer and employee.
Long-Term Care
Long-term care insurance, or nursing care insurance, covers employees that need ongoing treatment or care due to an accident, illness, or old age.
The contributions rate for long-term care insurance is 3.05% and is shared evenly between the employee and employer.
Unemployment insurance
All German employees who work at least 18 hours per week qualify for unemployment insurance. Employees who have been employed for at least 12 months of the previous two years receive the benefits from the first day of being dismissed from work or 12 weeks after resignation.
The contribution rate for unemployment insurance is 2.5% and is shared evenly between the employee and employer.
Occupational Accident Insurance
Known as workers’ compensation, occupational accident insurance covers employees who experience work-related accidents or illness.
Contributions are borne by the employer and cover payments for medical treatment and services needed to aid employees’ reintegration into the workforce.
Contribution rate depends on the industry and employees’ accident risk.
Annual leave
German employers must provide 20 paid days off employees per year based on a five-day work week and 24 days off for employees working a six-day work weekly.
While not included in the paid leave entitlement, German employers typically give their employees paid time off for the following national public holidays;
- New Years’ Day
- Good Friday
- Easter Monday
- Labor Monday
- Ascension Day
- Whit-Monday
- Germany Unity Day
- Christmas Day
- St. Stephen’s Day
Holidays in Germany also vary by region, so certain employees may expect to receive time off for regional-specific holidays in addition to national public holidays.
Maternity and paternity leave
German employment law requires employees who give birth to receive six weeks of paid maternity leave before their due date and another eight weeks after birth. Employees who have premature or multiple births are allowed up to 12 weeks.
Sick Leave
German employers must provide their employees with six weeks of paid sick leave upon four weeks of employment. However, employees must submit a doctor’s note to their employer for a sick leave that extends beyond three days.
Other employee benefits in Germany include but are not limited to;
- Private pension plan
- Supplemental life and disability benefits
- Supplemental health insurance, etc.
Basic requirements for caregiver job in Germany
- Minimum high school education
- Basic caregiving or nursing experience
- German language skills A2 or B1 preferred
- Clean criminal record
- Physically and mentally fit for the roleÂ
- Willing to relocate to Germany for work
Duties/responsibilities of a caregiver in Germany
You are to assist the elderly or people with disability in;
- Personal hygiene, bathing, dressing and toileting
- Feeding and cooking basic meals
- Remind them to take their medication
- House-keeping, laundry, and room cleaning
- Companionship and emotional support
- Accompanying patients to appointments or walks
- Observing and reporting changes in condition
You can offer caregiving service in both live-in and shift-based formats subject to the employer’s requirement.
The concept of visa sponsorship for caregivers in Germany
Visa sponsorship refers to where an individual, company, or organization in Germany assists a foreign worker in obtaining a visa, which allows them to live and work in the country legally.
Getting a German visa sponsorship under the caregiver route entails finding an employer in Germany who is willing to hire you and sponsor your visa application.
The employer in this case should be able to demonstrate to the necessary authority there are no qualified Canadian residents or citizens qualified to fill the spot.
This goes to imply that there must be an offer of employment by a German employer who then petitions a visa for the foreign caregiver.
However, such employer should be licensed, and have the ability to demonstrate there are no qualified or suitable German residents or citizens to occupy the position first.
Pathway to Germany through the caregiver route
Germany offers a national long-term work visa type D for foreign caregivers, and here’s how it works;
- Get a job offer: Apply through a licensed agency or directly to care homes and employers
- Receive work contract: Once selected, you’ll get a formal job offer with visa sponsorship confirmation
- Apply for a visa at embassy: Submit the work contract, German language proof, passport, and other documents
- Arrive in Germany and start work: After visa is approved, kindly fly to Germany. Your employer will assist with residence permit and applications.
- Apply for residence permit: The residence permit allows you to live and work in Germany legitimately.
Salary and benefit
Caregiver salaries have improved in Germany in 2025, here’s what you can expect;
| Monthly salary | 2,000 to 2,800 euros gross |
| Accommodation | Free or subsidized housing, especially for live-in caregivers |
| Food allowance | Sometimes included for live-in roles |
| Insurance | Full health and social insurance |
| Paid leave | 20 to 30 days per year |
| Contract length | 1 to 2 years with possible extension |
| Permanent residency path | Available after a few years of legal employment |
Required documents
To apply for caregiver jobs with visa sponsorship, you will need;
- Valid passport
- Signed employment contract from a German employer
- German language certificate
- CV and cover letter
- Medical clearance report
- Police clearance certificate
- Proof of education or training
- Visa application form and passport-sized photos
Where to find caregiver jobs with visa sponsorship in Germany
To find German caregiver visa sponsorship can be really difficult, you can navigate following the below recommendations;
Popular job portals: Popular job portals always publish German visa sponsorship opportunities, be sure to check them out for available opportunities that meet your unique circumstance.
Portals like; Glassdoor, Indeed, job networking websites like LinkedIn offer the best sponsorship opportunities.
Recruitment websites: You will need to check some German recruitment websites for available sponsorship opportunities.
Local employers and organizations would normally reach out to them for recruitment of potential and talented employees from across the globe.
They make the second-best option to navigate for existing opportunities.
Explore German local company websites: Most companies/employers looking to offer sponsorship opportunities publish these as job openings on their websites, taking a shot around could afford you the convenience of available spots looking to be filled.
Join the German job forums: Need not be told the power of a job forum when considering availability of jobs.
Discussions in the job category will always reveal available opportunities for unskilled workers.
Job forums can be a great place to consider for these openings, so long you remain active in them.
How to avoid scams
- Do not pay large fees upfront, legitimate agencies do not demand large payments before visa or job is offered
- Get everything in writing, ask for the employment contract, visa process steps, and payment details before you strike a deal
- Research the employer, check for reviews, website presence, and registration in Germany
- Use official government channels, rely on embassies, verified job platforms, or government-supported migration programs.
Conclusion
With over 4 million people in need of long-term care, the demand for caregivers has continued to rise geometrically in Germany.
If you are a health professional looking to immigrate to Germany under the caregiver route, the good news is that there’s also a visa sponsorship opportunity available for you.
As local labor falls short, Germany is actively hiring foreign caregivers in 2025 and offering visa sponsorship to qualified candidates from abroad, this trend is not stopping anytime soon.
As a caregiver with the right attitude, this is your opportunity to build a legal and stable career in one of Europe’s most developed countries.