International nursing professionals leave their home countries, their families and familiar surroundings to make an important contribution to healthcare in Germany. This decision deserves respect, support and fair conditions – from the very beginning. This Code of Ethics sets out the principles by which CareTrain Connect and all recruiters registered on this platform operate.
1
No Fees for Nursing Professionals

Recruitment and placement through CareTrain Connect is fundamentally free of charge for international nursing professionals. No candidate pays for inclusion in the candidate pool, for profile creation or for placement with a German institution.

Recruiters active on this platform expressly commit to not passing on any placement fees, debts or hidden costs to nursing professionals – either directly or indirectly.

2
Full Transparency in the Process

Every nursing professional has the right to be fully informed at all times about the status of their recognition process, the status of their documents and the next steps. CareTrain Connect maps this process transparently in six clearly defined steps – from document preparation to visa issuance.

Recruiters are obliged to proactively and truthfully inform their candidates about all relevant developments – in particular about:

  • The current status of the recognition process
  • Employer enquiries and their content
  • Contract terms and working conditions in Germany
  • Realistic timelines for entry and start of employment
3
Equal Treatment and Non-Discrimination

After their arrival and recognition, international nursing professionals are entitled to the same working conditions, salaries and rights as their German colleagues. CareTrain Connect does not tolerate placement in positions that structurally provide worse conditions for international professionals.

Discrimination on the basis of origin, religion, gender, language or appearance has no place on this platform – neither among recruiters nor among employers.

4
Individual Support and Integration Assistance

The path to recognition in Germany is complex. Recruiters on CareTrain Connect commit to supporting their candidates not only administratively, but also with practical questions regarding housing, language, official procedures and social integration – or to connecting them with suitable contact persons.

The connection to the TSS Academy and the CareTrain learning platform makes it possible to prepare nursing professionals in their home country specifically for the knowledge examination and everyday nursing practice in Germany.

5
Compliance with International Standards

CareTrain Connect is guided by the principles of the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel. On this basis, CareTrain Connect has developed its own binding quality framework: the CareTrain Connect Ethics Standard. This standard defines the minimum requirements for all recruiters and institutions active on the platform and is reviewed on a regular basis.

Recruiters who recruit candidates from countries on the WHO watch list for critical health workforce shortages are required to exercise particular care and restraint.

6
Self-Determination and Free Choice

Every nursing professional decides freely and independently whether to accept or decline an offer. There is no obligation to accept a particular position. Recruiters may not use psychological, financial or contractual pressure to push candidates into a decision.

A nursing professional's profile may only be published on the platform with their express consent. Every person has the right to have their data deleted at any time.

7
Responsibility of Employers

Institutions using CareTrain Connect commit to only offering positions that meet the statutory minimum standards for employment and remuneration in Germany. They ensure that international professionals are actively supported during onboarding, recognition and integration.

Employers who repeatedly violate these principles may be excluded from the platform.

Our Shared Commitment

Everyone active on CareTrain Connect – as a recruiter, as an institution or as a platform operator – bears responsibility for people. We take this responsibility seriously and translate it into concrete standards.

CareTrain Connect Ethics Standard · Version 1.0 · 2026