Europe Needs Nurses and Caregivers: The Best Countries to Apply in 2026
Where Nurses and Caregivers Should Apply in Europe in 2026
A Practical Country Guide Based on Demand, Access, and Real Hiring Needs
By 2026, Europe’s healthcare staffing shortage is no longer abstract. For nurses and caregivers, demand is structural, sustained, and concentrated in specific countries and sectors—especially hospitals, nursing homes, and home-care services.
But not every European country offers the same speed of entry, volume of jobs, or integration pathway. This guide focuses on where nurses and caregivers have the strongest chances of employment in 2026, based on demand signals, workforce gaps, and employer behaviour—not marketing claims.
The 2026 reality for nurses and caregivers in Europe
Across Europe, three forces are reshaping healthcare hiring:
- Ageing populations are sharply increasing demand for long-term and elder care
- Retirements are accelerating among nurses and care staff
- Domestic supply cannot keep pace, even where training capacity is expanding
As a result, nurses and caregivers are among the most actively recruited professions in Europe in 2026, with many employers openly relying on international hiring to maintain safe staffing.
Top countries to apply in 2026 (ranked by opportunity)
Germany – Europe’s largest and most urgent market
Germany remains the single largest destination for nurses and caregivers in Europe.
Why Germany stands out
- One of Europe’s largest projected nursing and care shortages
- Extremely high demand in elder care, nursing homes, and home care
- Structured recognition pathways for non-EU nurses
- Employers experienced in international recruitment
Best roles in 2026
- Registered Nurses (hospital and long-term care)
- Geriatric / Elder Care Nurses
- Care Assistants and Home Care Workers
Language reality
- German required (B1–B2 typically)
- Language training is often supported by employers
Who Germany suits best
- Nurses and caregivers open to eldercare
- Candidates from India, the Philippines, and Africa seeking volume + stability
- Those willing to invest in language learning for long-term settlement
Austria – High demand with strong public-sector support
Austria’s care system faces both rising demand and a major retirement wave, making 2026–2030 a critical hiring period.
Why Austria is attractive
- Official projections show tens of thousands of care roles needing replacement and expansion
- Strong demand in nursing homes and community care
- Smaller, more navigable system than Germany
- High standards of working conditions
Best roles in 2026
- Nurses (especially long-term care)
- Caregivers and nursing assistants
- Home-care staff
Language reality
- German required
- Smaller labour market means good candidates are noticed quickly
Who Austria suits best
- Candidates comfortable with German
- Nurses and caregivers seeking a quieter, high-quality work environment
France – Strong nursing demand, slower but steady pathways
France offers long-term opportunity, especially for nurses, though entry can be slower due to administrative steps.
Why France matters in 2026
- Nursing demand is rising faster than workforce growth
- Chronic shortages in hospitals and medico-social care
- Persistent access gaps in many regions
Best roles in 2026
- Hospital Nurses
- Nurses in eldercare and rehabilitation
- Community and medico-social care staff
Language reality
- French required (often B2)
- Prior French exposure is a major advantage
Who France suits best
- Francophone candidates
- Nurses seeking hospital-based roles
- Candidates prepared for structured, documentation-heavy processes
Belgium – Safe-staffing gaps drive nurse and care hiring
Belgium’s challenge is less about total numbers and more about safe staffing levels, especially in hospitals.
Why Belgium is relevant
- Quantified safe-staffing gaps for nurses
- Persistent demand in hospitals and eldercare
- Employers increasingly open to international nurses
Best roles in 2026
- Hospital Nurses
- Geriatric and long-term care nurses
- Care staff in residential facilities
Language reality
- Depends on region:
- Dutch (Flanders)
- French (Wallonia/Brussels)
- Choosing the region first is critical
Who Belgium suits best
- Nurses with French or Dutch ability
- Candidates open to regional placement rather than country-wide mobility
Malta – Small system, visible vacancies
Malta’s healthcare labour market is small, but vacancies are persistent and visible, making it an interesting niche option.
Why Malta works
- High vacancy rates relative to population
- English widely used in healthcare
- Faster hiring cycles for some roles
Best roles in 2026
- Nurses (hospital and community)
- Care staff in eldercare and active-ageing services
Language reality
- English accepted for many roles
- Maltese helpful but not always mandatory
Who Malta suits best
- Candidates seeking faster entry
- Nurses and caregivers comfortable with a small system and limited volume
Countries that are harder for 2026 entry (for most non-EU candidates)
While demand exists, these countries are less accessible due to language or regulatory barriers:
- Netherlands – Very strict Dutch language requirements
- Nordic countries – High language thresholds, smaller hiring pipelines
These can be excellent long-term goals but are rarely the fastest first entry.
How to choose your best country (quick decision tool)
Ask yourself three questions:
- Which language can I realistically reach B2 in?
- German → Germany / Austria
- French → France / Belgium (Wallonia)
- English → Malta (limited volume)
- Am I open to eldercare or home care?
- Yes → Germany & Austria unlock the most jobs
- No (hospital only) → France & Belgium may fit better
- Do I want speed or long-term scale?
- Speed → Malta, some Austria roles
- Scale & stability → Germany, France
Final takeaway for nurses and caregivers in 2026
In 2026, Europe needs nurses and caregivers more than ever—but not everywhere in the same way.
- Germany and Austria offer the largest and most reliable opportunities, especially in eldercare
- France and Belgium provide strong nursing demand with structured but slower pathways
- Malta offers niche, English-friendly opportunities in a small market
The candidates who succeed are those who:
- choose one country early,
- commit to the language, and
- align their role choice with where demand is strongest.
MedicoTalent helps nurses and caregivers make that choice wisely—and navigate the path from application to arrival.
Author: Roel Robberecht
Mr. Roel Robberecht is a distinguished healthcare leader with over a decade of experience in transforming care delivery throughout Belgium. As the Regional Director for Industry leader healthcare organisations in Flanders and Brussels Belgium, he brings profound expertise in health systems management, organizational development, and people-centered leadership.
Mr. Robberecht has held senior roles in various reputed healthcare organisations in Belgium, including Supervising Director for Recovery Facilities in Flanders, where he successfully led multidisciplinary teams through periods of change, innovation, and compassionate care.
With formal training in health facility management from Syntra Antwerpen en Vlaams Brabant, Mr. Robberecht’s leadership approach seamlessly integrates operational excellence with an unwavering commitment to dignity in care. His passion lies in empowering frontline teams, mentoring future leaders, and fostering systems that prioritize the well-being of both patients and professionals.
An advocate for thought leadership in healthcare, Mr. Robberecht frequently writes about the future of healthcare work, the human aspects of leadership, and the potential for international collaboration in elder care and nursing.