Can You Work During Nursing Nostrification in Austria?
Written by
Azra Mehanic
Founder, Move to Austria
Reviewed by
Azra Mehanic
Editorial and source review · August 11, 2026
Learn when a final nostrification decision permits temporary lower-level nursing work, for how long, and under which conditions.
A pending application is not permission to work
Submitting a nostrification application does not by itself authorise nursing work in Austria. Temporary practice becomes possible only after the competent authority issues a final decision that identifies missing training and permits the statutory lower-level activity. You must also hold the residence and employment permission required for your nationality; professional permission and immigration permission are separate checks.
The temporary role depends on the target profession
The official pathway is specific: a person nostrifying for DGKP may temporarily work as PFA; a person nostrifying for PFA may work as PA; and a person nostrifying for PA may perform PA work only under guidance and supervision. The employer must use the title and duties actually permitted by the decision, not the foreign title or the role you hope to obtain later.
The permission is limited to two years
Nursing in Austria states that this temporary lower-level activity is allowed for no more than two years. That clock does not guarantee enough time to complete every examination, course or clinical placement. Read the decision immediately, obtain dates from the approved institution and build a realistic completion plan before accepting a start date or making relocation commitments.
Registration and an honest contract are mandatory
Entry in the Austrian Health Professions Register is mandatory before lawful practice. Your employment contract should state the actual Austrian role, applicable collective agreement, pay classification, hours, shifts and any condition linked to completing compensatory measures. Do not accept a contract that calls you DGKP while the decision permits only PFA work, or that hides recognition costs and salary deductions.
Build the route in the correct order
First identify the authority, submit a complete curriculum and clinical-hours file, and wait for the written decision. Then confirm the permitted temporary level, register eligibility, German evidence, immigration route and employer offer. Our nursing eligibility assessment helps organise these dependencies, but only the competent authority can decide equivalence and only the residence authority can approve a permit.
Helpful resources
Official sources
Requirements and fees can change. Verify your individual case with the responsible authority before applying.
