Many people working in Austria as domestic helpers, cleaning staff, or 24-hour caregivers learned a trade or even earned a degree in their home countries. However, a degree as a nurse, teacher, accountant, or engineer often isn’t automatically recognized here—and so their actual profession remains out of reach, even though Austria is desperately seeking skilled workers in many industries.
The good news: The path back to your trained profession is achievable. In most cases, it involves two steps—the recognition or nostrification of your degree and a level of German proficiency appropriate for the profession (usually B2 for healthcare professions). Those who tackle both of these steps often end up working under a collective bargaining agreement, with a 13th and 14th month’s salary, vacation entitlement, and significantly higher earnings.
In these guides, you’ll find specific figures, step-by-step instructions, and the official contact points—free of charge and without registration.
Foreign Degrees: Recognition & Nostrification
Who’s responsible, what does it cost, and how long does it take? A comprehensive overview for degrees from EU and non-EU countries.
Go to the guideFrom 24-Hour Care to a Permanent Position
Salary comparison, recognition of your nursing diploma, and the path to working in a nursing home or hospital—step by step.
Go to the guideGerman B2 for Nursing Staff
Why B2 is the key qualification, how long it really takes, and how you can learn faster using your own specialized texts.
Go to the guideHousekeeping Jobs in Vienna
Hourly wages, legal registration, service checks—and why your job as a housekeeper only has to be a stepping stone.
Go to the guideBack to Your Career — Recognition in Germany
For Germany instead of Austria: telc German B1·B2 Nursing, specialized language exam, ZAB, and ANABIN—with figures, sources, and information current as of August 2026.
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