Germany is facing a severe nursing shortage and is increasingly turning to international recruitment to fill the gap. One key focus is the Philippines. Since 2013, the German Federal Employment Agency has been recruiting Filipino nurses through theTriple Winprogram.

Despite language barriers, demand remains high: Around 13,000 Filipino nurses are already working in German hospitals.#

For manyyoung professionals in the Philippines, this represents a major opportunity. They receive language and skills training, are prepared for the German healthcare system, and — after official recognition — can begin working in hospitals across Germany. The salary is often ten times higher than what they could earn at home.

But this growing migration of healthcare workers comes at a cost. In hospitals like Fabella in Manila, staff shortages are becoming critical. Nurses face long shifts, low pay, and overwhelming workloads. Many, like Sienna Uy, see no future in the local healthcare system and want to leave the country.

While international recruitment offers hope for individuals and helps meet staffing needs in other countries, it adds to existing problems in the Philippine healthcare system — raising urgent questions about global healthcare equity and sustainability.