Bavaria is centralizing recognition procedures in the field of nursing. From July 1st of this year, the Bavarian State Office for Nursing (LfP) will be responsible for the central processing of recognition procedures for the professional qualifications of nursing staff from abroad. Bavaria’s Minister of Health and Care Klaus Holetschek pointed this out on Sunday. The Minister emphasized: “Nursing is without a doubt one of the greatest challenges facing society as a whole today. With demographic change and an ageing population, the need for care and support in our society is increasing even further. We are already facing a shortage of nursing staff.” The Minister added: “The recruitment, recognition and sustainable integration of foreign nursing staff is an important building block in securing the demand for skilled nursing staff. With the centralization of the recognition procedure and the future ‘fast lane’ for foreign nursing staff, we want to close staffing gaps in the nursing sector even faster.” The Minister explained: “The centralization of the recognition procedure at the LfP is the basis for a uniform, standardized, digitalized and rapid procedure throughout Bavaria – and an important step towards strengthening Bavaria’s attractiveness for the urgently needed nursing staff. This means that procedures will be processed faster and in a targeted manner in future.” Holetschek added: “The new ‘fast lane’ for nursing professions will also optimize the interaction between the Central Office for the Immigration of Skilled Workers (ZSEF) and the Coordination and Advice Centre for Professional Recognition (KuBB).” On the one hand, this will be achieved by centralizing accelerated procedures for nursing professionals at the ZSEF, which will be exclusively responsible for these procedures in future and not the local immigration authorities, as was previously the case. On the other hand, cooperation between ZSEF, LfP and KuBB, which already provides advice on all recognition issues and thus makes a significant contribution to fast recognition procedures, will be improved. In concrete terms, this means that in future, retirement and nursing homes and clinics will only have one point of contact for both the examination under residence law and the recognition procedure as part of the accelerated procedure, namely the ZSEF. The KuBB is an upstream office that advises employers on all aspects of the procedure. The centralization of recognition procedures at the LfP also gives employers the certainty that uniform decisions will be made for each country of origin. This makes planning easier for them. The Council of Ministers adopted a corresponding three-pillar strategy in February. It contains acceleration measures in the area of residence law procedures, in the professional recognition procedure and measures for stronger integration of both areas. The procedure in the area of nursing professionals will also serve as a pilot for other areas.

“We have summarized all important information relating to the recognition of nursing qualifications on the Internet at www.anerkennung-pflege.bayern.de,” explained Angela Schneider, deputy head of the LfP, who, together with the development team, prepared the takeover of the recognition procedures by the LfP. “You can also find answers to the most frequently asked questions about the recognition of foreign nursing staff by the LfP and the online application.” LfP Director Achim Uhl added: “The integration of the recruits into everyday working life and social life is another crucial challenge on the way to the successful and sustainable recruitment of international nursing professionals.” The Minister emphasized: “I am certain that the acceleration of entry and recognition procedures will ensure more staff in the health and care sector this year! However, it is also clear that we continue to take responsibility for shaping the future of care in Bavaria in a sustainable way and ensuring that all people who need support receive it. I will therefore not let up in my commitment to the nursing staff in Bavaria.”