The German Bundestag passes a law introducing a new professional profile for nursing assistants.

16.10.2025 16:08

On October 9th, the German Bundestag passed the law introducing a standardized, nationwide training program for nursing assistants, a draft of which had been submitted to the cabinet by Federal Minister for Family Affairs Karin Prien and Federal Minister of Health Nina Warken. This standardized training program for nursing assistants is a key component in modernizing nursing care and ensuring sufficient staffing levels for nursing in Germany.

The Nursing Assistant Introduction Act creates an independent, nationally standardized professional profile for nursing assistants. This will make it easier for individuals with nursing assistant qualifications to move to another federal state: The new training replaces the previous 27 state-regulated nursing aide and nursing assistant training programs. From 27 to 1. The recognition of foreign professional qualifications will also be facilitated.

Federal Health Minister Nina Warken"In an aging society, we need a broad range of professional qualifications and clear career prospects to ensure the future of nursing care. With the law passed today, we are creating the foundation for a standardized, nationwide training program for nursing assistants and ensuring appropriate remuneration during the training itself. This training opens up new career paths in nursing. Together, we want to inspire more people to pursue this profession."„

Federal Family Minister Karin Prien"It is an important signal that the Bundestag today passed this law in a very swift procedure, thus responding to the wishes of the states and professional caregivers for the rapid implementation of the federal regulation. Ensuring high-quality care is one of the major societal challenges of our time. The Nursing Assistant Act makes an important contribution to this. The new training program is modern, paid, and offers diverse development opportunities. It is also open to people without a school-leaving certificate. This creates educational opportunities and unlocks new training potential."„

The most important regulations

• Standardized training: The new nationwide training program for nursing assistants replaces the previous 27 different state regulations.
• Insights: The training is generalist in nature and includes mandatory placements in the central care areas of inpatient long-term care, outpatient long-term care and inpatient acute care.
• Start of training: From 1 January 2027
• Duration: Typically 18 months full-time. Part-time and shorter durations are possible, especially with relevant professional experience.
• Access: Generally, a secondary school leaving certificate is required, but it is also possible without a formal qualification if the nursing school makes a positive prognosis.
• Compensation: All trainees will receive appropriate training compensation in the future.
• Career opportunities: Eligibility for further training as a nursing professional (also possible in a shortened form) with subsequent opportunity for nursing studies
• Recognition of foreign degrees: Uniform regulation with knowledge test or adaptation course instead of comprehensive equivalence assessment

For training to start in 2027, the financing process must begin in 2026. The law requires approval from the Federal Council.