Many people working in Austria as domestic helpers, cleaners or 24-hour carers have learnt a trade or even studied at university in their home country. However, a qualification as a nurse, teacher, accountant or engineer often does not automatically count here – and so their actual profession remains out of reach, even though Austria is desperately seeking skilled workers in many sectors.
The good news is that the path back to your trained profession is achievable. In most cases, it involves two steps – the recognition or nostrification of your qualification and a level of German that is appropriate for the profession (usually B2 in healthcare professions). Those who tackle both of these steps often go on to work under a collective agreement, with a 13th and 14th month’s salary, holiday entitlement and significantly better pay.
In these guides, you’ll find specific figures, step-by-step instructions and the official points of contact – free of charge and with no registration required.
Foreign qualifications: recognition & nostrification
Who is responsible, what does it cost, and how long does it take? A comprehensive overview for qualifications from EU and non-EU countries.
Go to the guideFrom 24-hour care to a permanent position
Salary comparison, recognition of your care diploma and the path to working in a care home or hospital – step by step.
Go to the guideGerman B2 for care workers
Why B2 is the key qualification, how long it really takes, and how you can learn faster using your own specialist texts.
Go to the guideDomestic help jobs in Vienna
Hourly rates, legal registration, service vouchers – and why your job as a domestic helper need only be a stepping stone.
Go to the guideBack to your profession — recognition in Germany
For Germany rather than Austria: telc German B1·B2 Care, specialist language examination, ZAB and anabin – with figures, sources and status as of August 2026.
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