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Work as a nurse with a non-EU diploma

Proposed by JRS France , JRS FranceUpdated on 2 дні тому

Nursing diplomas from outside the European Union are not recognized in France. Therefore, it is necessary to complete further studies to obtain a French diploma and be able to practice.

To become a nurse in France, you must obtain the State Diploma in Nursing (DEI). The training normally lasts 3 years and includes:

  • theoretical teachings
  • practical placements in healthcare settings.

This training is provided in Nursing Training Institutes (IFSI). There are over 300 IFSI in France. You can find the list of IFSI by clicking here.

In certain situations, there are accelerated pathways:

  • It is possible to obtain the diploma in 2 years instead of 3, particularly after 3 years of professional experience in France or after a first year of medical studies.
  • Doctors and midwives with a diploma from outside the European Union can access an accelerated 6-month training course .

A minimum French level of B2 is generally required to join these courses.

The website Prendre soin.fr allows you to find a lot of information on support and the different types of assistance available.

These practical guides can be useful for questions related to learning French or translations.
A significant change is planned: Article 22 of the Decree of February 20, 2026, concerning the State Diploma in Nursing, opens the possibility of an accelerated pathway for individuals already holding a nursing diploma from outside the European Union. This system could be implemented starting in the 2027 academic year (subject to the implementation schedule and procedures defined by the relevant authorities).

How to do it?

You will find information on the Parcoursup website about registration dates (which start in January) and how to proceed.

You will also find advice and details on nursing studies on Parcoursup .

After registration, it is possible to be exempted from some of the subjects already validated in the country of origin.

To do this, you must submit a file to a committee of the institute and then have an oral interview. It is this committee which decides on subject exemptions.

Here is the list of documents to include in your file:

  • a CV,
  • a cover letter,
  • the original of the diplomas obtained,
  • a comparison of the study program followed by the candidate in the country of origin compared to the French program.
In general, this exemption only allows for the recognition of a few subjects in a semester and does not go beyond the validation of one semester or a maximum of one year.

It is possible to enter nursing school (IFSI) through a competitive entrance exam after 3 years of professional experience in France. Any adult, regardless of age or educational level, can take this exam.

Depending on the course, exemptions are possible for the first year.

The conditions to be met to register for the IFSI competition are to have worked for 3 years full time and to have contributed to a social protection scheme during this period (36 months) in France and in any field (it is not necessary to have worked in the health field before, but this can help to be retained in IFSI).

Professional experience allows one to contribute to social security and subsequently have nursing training financed by France Travail.

Your application must contain:

  • supporting documents (e.g., employment contract) to prove your experience,
  • a detailed cover letter explaining what led you to a career change project as a nurse.

After registration, you must pass a competition consisting of two written tests (general knowledge and mathematics) and an oral exam.

Please note that the nursing entrance exam takes place every year around February-March.

You can train to become a nursing assistant through an apprenticeship. This allows you to work as a nursing assistant while waiting to be able to practice in your chosen field.

A refugee can enter the second year of IFSI after a year of PASS (specific health access courses) or LAS (license with “health access” option).

Students who complete their first year of PASS or LAS without passing the entrance exam for the second year of medical training may sometimes have a bridge to an IFSI (Institute for the Study of Medical Sciences). Direct access to the second year may be possible. It is the institutions that define their admission procedures.

People holding a diploma allowing them to practice medicine or midwifery outside the European Union can do accelerated nursing studies (six months) with internships in hospitals.

See: Order of July 31, 2009 relating to the state nursing diploma, article 9

You can find the list of institutions offering these training courses in Île-de-France by clicking here.

To register, you must submit an application and take an oral exam before a panel composed of the director of the IFSI, the educational coordinator, and a healthcare manager. This oral exam is used to assess your level of French, motivation, and career plan.

What happens next?

Funding for training by the region

Training in nursing schools can be funded by the Region, particularly for some groups such as RSA beneficiaries or job seekers, according to the rules specific to each region.

Regional funding is generally paid directly to the training organization. To find out if you are eligible for this funding, it is important to contact the nursing school (IFSI) or the training organization directly.

France Travail support

In some situations, France Travail can provide various forms of assistance to people who have worked and contributed for at least 6 months. The programs and amounts may vary depending on the region.

You can find information on allowances and training assistance from France Travail here.

Study grant agreement

It is also possible to benefit from a study grant contract.

This is a monthly stipend paid from the second year of training, in exchange for a commitment to work between 18 and 30 months in the hospital with which the contract is signed.

This scheme can be combined with the regional scholarship.

From the second year onwards, training can be done through apprenticeship for people under 30 years old. The student is employed by a hospital which will finance their studies and the student commits to working as a nursing assistant during school holidays at the hospital.

University fees to expect

Even when the training is funded, some costs may still be your responsibility:

  • University registration fees: €175 (2024-2025 rate)
  • CVEC (Student and Campus Life Contribution): €103 (2025). Refugees are exempt from this fee. Some universities also offer tuition fee waivers.

After obtaining your nursing diploma, you can work as a nurse in a hospital or as a freelancer.

It is also possible to continue studies to specialize, in 4 ways:

  • Operating Room Nurse (18 months of study)
  • Pediatric Nurse (1 year of study)
  • Nurse Anesthetist (after 2 years of practice)
  • Advanced Practice Nurse (2 years of study and 3 years of practice as a nurse)

Finally, after 4 years of practice, it is possible to access management positions by validating the health management diploma (10 months).

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