Several European Union nations are experiencing deficits in healthcare sector occupations, according to findings from the 2023 EURES report on shortages and surpluses. Specialist doctors and nursing professionals are notably in high demand and short supply across several EU countries, prompting efforts to streamline work visa processes for foreign recruits.

Countries like Switzerland, Germany, Norway, Ireland, the Netherlands, Austria, and Denmark have reported significant shortages in healthcare roles. Additionally, Ireland and Switzerland are identified among the EURES countries most dependent on foreign doctors and nurses.

Germany, a consistent reporter of healthcare sector shortages within the EU, reflects its reliance on foreign healthcare professionals through an increasing number of foreign doctors. In 2023, statistics from Germany's Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) showed that 12 percent of doctors in the country, totaling 62,000 individuals, were not German citizens. This figure marks a seven percent rise from a decade ago, when foreign doctors numbered 29,000.

Destatis further indicates that a total of 115,000 foreign doctors relocated to Germany during this period. In addition to doctors, Germany is also in urgent need of nurses from abroad to address shortages in this field. According to a report, Germany aims to recruit an additional 150,000 nurses by 2025.

To meet this demand, German authorities are actively seeking nursing staff from various foreign countries, including those in Latin America. Furthermore, potential foreign workers should note that several EU countries, such as Germany and Denmark, have recently relaxed certain immigration regulations. This change increases the likelihood for foreign workers seeking to relocate to these countries to obtain a work visa.