In Germany, the demand for nursing staff is constantly increasing and many care facilities are therefore looking for qualified staff abroad. However, recruiting international nursing staff is associated with considerable costs, such as placement fees, language courses and travelling expenses. What many care facilities often do not realise: These costs can be refinanced under certain conditions. With the help of refinancing in accordance with Section 75 SGB XI, care facilities have the opportunity to recover a large proportion of the costs incurred. Below you can find out who can apply for refinancing, which requirements must be met and how the process works step by step.
Who can apply for refinancing?
Hospitals and care facilities that have a licence under the Fifth or Eleventh Social Code (SGB V or SGB XI) and employ foreign nursing staff can refinance some or all of the costs incurred via remuneration and fee agreements. This regulation applies to both inpatient and outpatient care facilities that are obliged to provide nursing and medical services as part of their contracts. Refinancing therefore enables facilities to recoup a significant proportion of their recruitment costs and secure their investment in skilled labour from abroad.
Why the "Fair Recruitment Care Germany" quality mark is crucial
In order to successfully refinance the recruitment costs, it is necessary to work with certified agencies that carry the "Fair Recruitment Nursing Germany" quality mark. This quality mark guarantees that the recruitment of international nursing staff is carried out according to clear, ethical standards. Organisations that choose certified agencies benefit from transparent and fair recruitment processes. The quality mark ensures that the nurses recruited are treated fairly and that the entire recruitment process meets high quality standards. For care facilities, this not only means reliable refinancing, but also a sustainable investment in specialists who want to work in the German healthcare system in the long term.
What costs can care facilities recover?
Various costs incurred in the recruitment of international nursing staff are eligible for reimbursement. These include in particular
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- Language coursesCosts for language courses abroad and in Germany that help nursing staff to acquire the necessary language skills for their work.
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- Travelling expensesThe costs of travelling to Germany for nursing staff.
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- Professional qualificationCosts for the recognition of professional qualifications and additional training in Germany.
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- Integration and mentoringExpenditure on programmes and measures to help new employees settle in and integrate into the working environment.
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- Recruitment managementThe management and organisation of recruitment, such as the cost of working with recruitment agencies and administrative expenses.
These costs must be fully documented by the care facility in order to be able to successfully claim them in negotiations with cost bearers such as care insurance funds and social welfare organisations. It is particularly important that an employment contract is concluded before the carer arrives and that the individual costs are clearly identified and documented. Here is an example of such a clause:
Reimbursable recruitment costs in accordance with § 75 SGB XI
The employer assumes the following costs as part of the recruitment process, which are claimed as part of the refinancing in accordance with § 75 SGB XI:
Language courses
- Costs for language courses abroad: [Amount in Euro]
- Costs for language courses in Germany: [Amount in Euro]
- Total amount for language courses: [Total amount in Euro]
Travelling expenses
- Costs for travelling to Germany: [Amount in Euro]
- Total travelling expenses: [Total amount in Euro]
Professional qualification
- Recognition procedure in Germany: [Amount in Euro]
- Qualification courses or adaptation programmes: [Amount in Euro]
- Total amount Vocational qualification: [Total amount in Euro]
Integration and mentoring measures
- Costs for integration courses and mentoring programmes: [Amount in Euro]
- Costs for counselling and support: [Amount in Euro]
- Total amount Integration and mentoring: [Total amount in Euro]
Recruitment management
- Administrative costs and agency fees: [Amount in Euro]
- Other recruitment costs incurred: [Amount in Euro]
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Total amount Recruitment management: [Total amount in Euro]
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The refinancing process: explained step by step
Recruitment costs are usually refinanced through remuneration agreements with the funding organisations. To this end, care facilities must provide detailed evidence of the costs incurred. In addition to costs already incurred, prospective costs can also be stated. However, retrospective reimbursement is usually not possible, which is why early planning and transparent cost recording are crucial.
In the remuneration negotiations with the funding organisations, the facilities must clearly demonstrate the costs incurred or to be incurred by the recruitment and integration of nursing staff from abroad. This process can be time-consuming, but it is an important basis for refinancing and thus for sustainably relieving the budget.
Differences in refinancing: state-specific regulations
There is no standardised regulation for the refinancing of recruitment costs in Germany, meaning that there are differences between the federal states. In some federal states, such as Lower Saxony and Brandenburg, recruitment costs are already taken into account in remuneration negotiations. In other federal states, such as Schleswig-Holstein, this is not yet the case and refinancing is often more difficult to enforce.
However, care facilities operating in federal states where refinancing is not yet firmly established can strengthen their claims for reimbursement through comprehensive documentation. Actual cost documentation, combined with proof of the "Fair Recruitment Care Germany" quality mark, can improve the negotiating position.
What to do if an agreement cannot be reached with the cost bearers?
If no agreement can be reached with the funding organisations, care facilities have the option of initiating arbitration proceedings in accordance with Section 76 SGB XI. In these proceedings, the arbitration board sets the care rates and the recruitment costs can also be included in the negotiations. Such arbitration proceedings can be helpful if negotiations are deadlocked and no agreement can be reached. The arbitration board then ensures a neutral decision that is binding for both sides.
Conclusion: An opportunity to ease the financial burden and secure the supply of skilled labour
Refinancing in accordance with Section 75 SGB XI enables care facilities to recoup some or all of the considerable costs incurred in recruiting international nursing staff. This financial compensation helps facilities to relieve pressure on their budgets and continue to invest in qualified specialists. However, successful refinancing requires the selection of a certified and reputable recruitment company as well as early and transparent cost documentation.
The refinancing of recruitment costs is therefore a valuable opportunity for care facilities to reduce their financial burden, strengthen their teams with qualified specialists and benefit from stable and competent nursing staff in the long term.
