Nursing care – Specialisation – Recognition

Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection
Radetzkystraße 2
1031 Vienna
e-mail: anerkennung@sozialministerium.at

Administration fees are approximately 250 Euro. The fees have to be paid after completion of the procedure.

This application is for: Holders of a diploma in qualified nursing care

• (paediatric nursing)
• (psychiatric nursing)
• (intensive care)
• (intensive paediatric care)
• (anaesthetic nursing)
• (renal nursing)
• (surgical nursing)
• (hospital hygiene)
• (wound management and stoma care)
• (hospice and palliative care)
• (psychogeriatric nursing)
• (teacher for nursing care)
• (managerial tasks)

The Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection is the competent authority for the recognition of equivalence of a diploma acquired in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland for specialised tasks (paediatric nursing, psychiatric nursing, intensive care, intensive paediatric care, anaesthetic nursing, renal nursing, surgical nursing, hospital hygiene, wound management and stoma care, hospice and palliative care, psychogeriatric nursing), teaching tasks or managerial tasks.

Working in Austria without the state recognition or employing such persons, is an administrative offence, punishable by a fine. It may also be subject to personal liability consequences under criminal and civil law.

sections 28a, 30 of the Gesundheits- und Krankenpflegegesetz (GuKG) ^{German text}

• Online-Application for health professions
• Supplement: Authorization of the recipient

A written application can be submitted in person, by post or electronically

In case of significant differences between the national qualification and the Austrian qualification, recognition can be granted only on the basis of compensation measures (either completion of adaptation training or an aptitude test in an Austrian training institution).

The process can be expected to take four months.

Appeals may be submitted to the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection in writing within four weeks after receiving the decision.

• Application
• Curriculum vitae
• Austrian residence permit or Austrian postal address with an authorised recipient for formal delivery (written authorisation!)
• Formal qualification (specialised tasks, teaching tasks or managerial tasks in nursing care) confirming officially recognized and successfully completed training in an EU Member State, EEA-State or in Switzerland.
• Diploma supplement/syllabus stating the ECTS credit value for each course
• Evidence of authorisation to work as a general nurse, paediatric nurse or psychiatric nurse in Austria
• Further education (if possible/available)
• If possible/available proof of professional experience
• Attestation certifying that the applicant is legally established in a Member State for the purpose of pursuing the activities concerned and that he/she is not prohibited from practising, even temporarily, at the moment of delivering the Attestation
• In case the applicant's name differs from the name shown on the diploma or on the certificate, a wedding or divorce certificate or any other official document proving the change of name must be submitted
• Evidence of citizenship, valid passport or personal identification document (copy)

All documents and certificates must be submitted in German or English, either as an original or as a copy authenticated by a court, a notary public or a municipal authority. Only the translations by a certified court translator are accepted.

Non authenticated copies or untranslated documents are not accepted. After processing, all original documents will be returned immediately.

Diploma for specialised tasks, teaching tasks or managerial tasks in nursing care, issued on the basis of a state certified training. Diploma have to be issued by the Government of an EEA-State or of Switzerland.