Demand for carers keeps growing as Europe ages, and this is one of the few sectors where employers regularly sponsor non-EU workers without formal diplomas. Whether the advert says care assistant, carer, caregiver or healthcare assistant, pay depends on the country, your training hours and whether the role is live-in or shift-based.
Care Assistant pay by country (gross, monthly)
Figures are typical 2026 gross ranges — actual pay depends on contract, region, shifts and collective agreements. EU minimum wages apply to foreign workers in full.
What changes the number
Training hours and certificates move you up the scale: a recognised care certificate or completed in-country course typically adds €200 – €400 a month over untrained rates. Night shifts, weekends and holidays carry supplements in most collective agreements.
Live-in arrangements change the maths completely. Gross pay may look lower, but free room and board are typically worth €400 – €700 a month, and countries such as Austria and Italy run large, regulated live-in care markets.
Gross vs net: what you actually keep
Figures are gross; at carer wage levels you typically keep roughly 68 – 75% net. In Germany, €2,700 gross usually means around €1,900 net for a single worker, and care-sector minimum wages there are legally binding on every employer, including agencies.
For live-in roles, always confirm what is deducted for accommodation and meals. In regulated markets the deduction is capped, and the remaining cash wage must still meet the legal minimum.
How foreign workers earn more
Minimum wages and care-sector pay floors apply fully to foreign carers. The biggest pay jumps come from language certificates, since employers often pay more from B1, completing a recognised qualification, and moving from live-in work to shifts in residential homes.
Care experience also stacks toward nursing: several countries offer paid apprenticeship routes from care assistant to licensed nurse, roughly doubling long-term earning potential while you keep working.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a care assistant earn in Germany?
Around €2,500 – €3,100 gross per month in 2026, because Germany sets a dedicated care minimum wage above the general floor. Qualified care assistants with a one-year certificate earn at the top of that band, plus shift supplements.
Do live-in carer jobs in Europe pay less?
The headline wage is often lower, but free accommodation and meals are typically worth €400 – €700 a month. In regulated markets such as Austria's 24-hour care system, contracts also define rest times and caps on deductions.
Can I work as a carer in Europe without a diploma?
Yes. Many countries hire untrained care assistants and train on the job, especially in elderly care. A short certified course raises both your pay and your permit chances, and some employers sponsor the training.
Which countries sponsor non-EU care workers?
Ireland, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands all run active recruitment or permit routes for carers, and Poland issues many first permits. Rules change, so check current conditions, but EU minimum wages protect foreign carers everywhere.
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