What is daily life really like for Indian nurses working in Germany? Beyond salary figures and visa requirements lies the actual experience of living, working, and building a life in one of Europe’s most systematic and structured countries. This honest account combines real experiences from Indian nurses currently in Germany, covering everything from morning routines and work culture to weekend activities and cultural adaptation.
A Day in the Life: 24 Hours with Priya in Berlin
Morning: 5:30 AM – Getting Ready
Priya, 29, from Kerala, wakes up at 5:30 AM for her early shift at Charité Hospital in Berlin. Her morning routine:
· 5:30-6:00 AM: Quick shower, breakfast (toast with cheese and coffee – German style), video call with parents in India
· 6:00-6:30 AM: Get dressed in scrubs, pack lunch (usually leftovers or German-style sandwich)
· 6:30-7:00 AM: Commute via U-Bahn (subway) – 25-minute ride, listening to German podcast
Key Reality: ‘German public transport is incredibly punctual. The U6 arrives at 6:32 AM every single day. In India, I’d never rely on such precise timing!’ – Priya
Work Shift: 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Morning handover with night shift team (Übergabe) – 15 minutes of detailed patient information exchange. Unlike India where handovers can be rushed, German hospitals enforce structured communication.
Work Highlights:
· Patient-Nurse Ratio: 1:5-6 (vs. 1:15-20 in India)
· Technology: Everything electronic – medication scanning, digital charts, automated monitors
· Team Structure: Clear hierarchies but respectful communication
· Breaks: 30-minute lunch break strictly observed (Germans are punctual about breaks!)
· Documentation: Extensive – every action must be documented immediately
Cultural Adjustment: ‘Patients call me by first name, which felt strange initially. In India, there’s more formality. Here, it’s ‘Priya, can you help me?’ not ‘Nurse!’ It took weeks to feel comfortable with this.’ – Priya
Post-Work: 3:30 PM – 7:00 PM
· 3:30-4:00 PM: Handover to afternoon shift, change out of scrubs
· 4:00-4:30 PM: Commute home, stop at supermarket (Edeka or REWE)
· 4:30-5:30 PM: Rest, cook dinner (mix of Indian and German meals)
· 5:30-7:00 PM: German language practice online, WhatsApp with Indian nurse friends, walk in local park
Shopping Reality: ‘German supermarkets close at 8 PM (sometimes 10 PM), and nothing opens on Sundays except gas stations. Initially shocking for someone used to 24/7 Indian kirana stores!’ – Priya
Evening: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
· 7:00-8:30 PM: Video call with family in India, catch up on Indian news
· 8:30-9:30 PM: Watch German TV series (for language practice) or Netflix
· 9:30 PM: Early bed (Indians think it’s early, but Germans sleep by 10-11 PM)
Sleep Culture: ‘Germans take sleep seriously. Sunday mornings are sacred – no loud music, no drilling, no disturbances. My neighbor once complained about my 11 PM phone call! Different from Indian apartments where noise is normal.’ – Priya
Work Culture: What’s Really Different
| Aspect | India | Germany | Impact |
| Punctuality | Flexible, ‘IST’ common | Exact. 7 AM means 6:55 AM | Took 2 months to adjust |
| Breaks | Often skipped when busy | Mandatory, legally enforced | Actually get to eat lunch! |
| Hierarchy | Doctors superior, nurses subordinate | Respectful collaboration | Feel more valued |
| Communication | Indirect, hierarchical | Direct, sometimes blunt | Initially felt rude |
| Documentation | Often incomplete or delayed | Everything documented immediately | More paperwork, but safer |
| Patient Load | 15-20 patients per nurse | 5-6 patients per nurse | Much better care quality |
| Overtime | Expected, unpaid | Tracked, compensated | Better work-life balance |
Living Situation: Housing and Daily Life
Apartment Reality
Priya’s Situation:
· Apartment: 1-bedroom flat (45 sqm) in Berlin Neukölln district
· Rent: €700 per month (warm – includes heating)
· Furnished: Hospital helped find, came partially furnished
· Deposit: 3 months rent (€2,100) – paid by employer, deducted from salary over 12 months
· Roommates: Initially shared with another Indian nurse, now lives alone
Housing Challenges: ‘Finding apartments in Germany is HARD. Germans want Schufa (credit score), proof of income, sometimes even a personality profile. Coming from India with no German credit history was a nightmare. Thank God my employer provided a guarantee.’ – Priya
Monthly Budget Breakdown
| Category | Monthly Cost (€) | Monthly Cost (₹) | Notes |
| Rent (warm) | €700 | ₹66,500 | Including heating, water |
| Electricity & Internet | €80 | ₹7,600 | Separate from rent |
| Groceries | €250 | ₹23,750 | Mix of German and Indian food |
| Public Transport | €50 | ₹4,750 | Monthly U-Bahn pass |
| Phone | €20 | ₹1,900 | Unlimited calls/data |
| Dining Out | €100 | ₹9,500 | 2-3 times per month |
| Indian Groceries | €50 | ₹4,750 | From Indian shops |
| Entertainment | €50 | ₹4,750 | Movies, activities |
| Savings/Remittance | €1,000 | ₹95,000 | Sent to India |
| TOTAL | €2,300 | ₹218,500 | Out of €3,200 gross salary |
Net Reality: €3,200 gross becomes ~€2,150 net after taxes. Priya saves/sends home €1,000/month (47% of net income) – impossible in India!
Food and Eating: The Biggest Cultural Adjustment
What Indians Miss Most
· Fresh hot meals three times daily: Germans eat cold dinners (bread, cheese, cold cuts)
· Variety of vegetables and spices: German supermarkets have limited spice selection
· Street food culture: No Indian chaat, no roadside snacks
· Eating together: Indians eat socially, Germans often eat alone quickly
· Food delivery: Limited compared to India’s Swiggy/Zomato culture
Food Solutions
· Indian Grocery Stores: Available in major cities (€50-70/month budget)
· Cooking in Bulk: Prepare Indian meals on weekends, freeze portions
· German-Indian Fusion: Learn to adapt (e.g., German bread with Indian sabzi)
· Indian Restaurants: Expensive (€15-25 per meal) but available
· Food from Home: Parents send spices/masalas every few months
Food Reality: ‘I cook big pots of dal and curry on Sundays, freeze individual portions. During the week, I eat German-style breakfasts (bread, cheese) but Indian dinners. It’s a compromise that works.’ – Priya
Social Life: Making Friends and Building Community
Indian Community in Germany
· Size: Growing rapidly – Indian population in Germany crossed 200,000 in 2024
· WhatsApp Groups: Every city has Indian nurses groups (Berlin has 3,000+ members)
· Festivals: Diwali, Holi celebrated in Indian community centers
· Temples: Hindu temples and Gurudwaras in major cities
· Indian Associations: Kerala Nurses Association, All India Nurses Association chapters
Making German Friends
Reality Check: It’s challenging. Germans have established friend groups from school/university. As an adult immigrant, breaking in takes effort.
What Works:
· Work colleagues: Some German nurses invite for coffee, occasional dinners
· Language exchange: Tandem partners (teach Hindi, learn German)
· Sports clubs: Germans socialize through activities (join Verein – club)
· Neighbor interactions: Building relationships slowly through regular greetings
Friendship Reality: ‘German friendships develop slowly but are deeper once established. Unlike India where you can make friends in a day, here it takes months. But my German colleague who I’ve known for 2 years recently invited me to her family Christmas – that’s serious friendship here!’ – Priya
Weekends and Free Time
Typical Weekend Activities
Saturday:
· Morning: Sleep in (luxury!), leisurely breakfast
· Afternoon: Grocery shopping, cooking for the week, cleaning apartment
· Evening: Meet Indian friends, go to restaurant or cook together, movie night
Sunday:
· Morning: Everything closed! (Sundays are rest days in Germany)
· Afternoon: Walk in park, bike ride, visit museum
· Evening: Video call with family, prepare for week ahead
Travel: Germans travel frequently. With cheap European flights (€20-50), Priya visits other cities monthly.
Vacation Culture Shock
German vs. Indian Vacation Reality:
· India: 12-15 days annual leave (if lucky), often can’t take continuously
· Germany: 30 days annual leave (mandatory), must be taken
· Culture: Germans actually take ALL vacation days and disconnect completely
Priya’s Experience: ‘First year, I took 2 weeks to visit India. Colleagues asked why only 2 weeks! Germans take 3-4 week vacations routinely. The concept of actually resting is revolutionary.’
Challenges Indian Nurses Face
Challenge #1: Weather and Seasonal Affective Disorder
· Winter: November-March is dark, cold (0-5°C), limited daylight (8 hours)
· Impact: Depression, vitamin D deficiency, constant coldness
· Solutions: Vitamin D supplements, sun lamps, winter clothing (expensive but necessary)
Weather Reality: ‘First German winter broke me. I’m from Kerala – never experienced -5°C. Bought €200 winter jacket, thermal wear, and still felt cold for 4 months. It gets easier after first winter.’ – Priya
Challenge #2: Language Barrier in Daily Life
Despite B2 German for work, daily life remains challenging:
· Official Documents: Insurance forms, tax documents, contracts in complex German
· Doctor Visits: Medical German different from general German
· Banking: Opening accounts, understanding fees, navigating online banking
· Landlord Communication: Rental issues, maintenance requests
Solution: Indian nurses help each other. WhatsApp groups share translated documents, recommend Indian-speaking lawyers, doctors, tax consultants.
Challenge #3: Missing Family
The Hardest Part:
· Can’t drop by parents’ house on weekends
· Missing Indian festivals with family
· Family emergencies require €800+ flight and 12+ hours travel
· Time zone difference (3.5-4.5 hours) limits calling windows
· Aging parents worry about children being ‘so far away’
Coping: Daily video calls, plan India visits during major festivals, bring siblings to Germany when possible (family reunification), send money home regularly
Challenge #4: Cultural Misunderstandings
Common Incidents:
· German directness perceived as rudeness (‘Your German needs improvement’ vs. Indian indirect feedback)
· Punctuality misunderstandings (arriving 5 minutes late to private dinner considered rude)
· Personal space differences (Germans need more distance, less touching)
· Small talk expectations (Germans skip it, Indians bond through it)
What Indian Nurses Love About Germany
Positive #1: Work-Life Balance is REAL
· 38-40 hour work weeks (vs. 48-60 in India)
· Actual lunch breaks (30-45 minutes, legally protected)
· Overtime is compensated (time off or extra pay)
· Evenings and weekends are yours (no expectation of being ‘on call’ mentally)
‘In India, nursing consumed my life. Here, nursing is my job, but I have a LIFE. I read books, learn photography, travel. I forgot what hobbies were!’ – Priya
Positive #2: Safety and Security
· Can walk alone at night without fear
· Sexual harassment minimal (huge relief for women)
· Functional police and legal system
· Healthcare system covers everything (no fear of medical bankruptcy)
· Social safety net (unemployment insurance, pension)
Positive #3: Infrastructure and Systems
· Public transport is punctual, clean, safe
· Paperwork systems work (bureaucratic but functional)
· Clean air and water (no pollution worries)
· Well-maintained public spaces, parks, roads
Positive #4: Professional Respect
· Nurses treated as healthcare professionals, not subordinates
· Opinions valued in patient care decisions
· Clear career progression pathways
· Continuing education supported and funded
Key Takeaways
· Daily life in Germany is structured, punctual, and organized – very different from India
· Work-life balance is real: 38-hour weeks, 30 days vacation, respected break times
· Monthly expenses: €2,300 including rent, with €1,000+ savings possible
· Indian community exists and helps newcomers adjust (WhatsApp groups essential)
· Food adjustment is biggest challenge – learn to cook in bulk, mix German-Indian styles
· Weather (especially winter) is tough for South Indians – vitamin D and warm clothing essential
· German friendships develop slowly but deeply – be patient
· Sunday closures shock Indians used to 24/7 shops – plan ahead
· Missing family is hardest part – daily video calls help
· Safety, infrastructure, and professional respect make challenges worthwhile
Reference Links
1. BorderPlus – From Goa to Germany: https://www.borderplus.co/blog/working-as-a-nurse-india-v-s-germany/
2. TERN Group – Sheeba’s Success Story: https://www.tern-group.com/blog/nursing-in-germany-sheebas-journey-tern-success-stories
3. BorderPlus – Life in Germany: https://www.borderplus.co/life-in-germany/
4. Educaro India – Gateway to Germany: https://www.educaro.de/india/