Healthcare assistant roles are 1 of the most common routes students use to bridge the gap between studying and supporting themselves financially.
This blog breaks down how it actually works for nurses in Europe: visa rules, job options, and the realistic path to working as a healthcare assistant while studying nursing in Europe.
TL;DR
In Europe, nursing students can legally work part-time in healthcare, but only if visa rules, university choice and language skills all align.
Key Takeaways in this blog include:
- Work limits are usually 20–30 hours/week, but they depend on the country and university
- Healthcare-related jobs are very possible, but require time and local language skills
- Costs can be covered partly through work if you choose the right setup
Table of Contents
- 1 Can You Work While Studying Nursing in Europe?
- 2 What Jobs Can You Do While Studying Nursing?
- 3 Why is Europe Is Becoming a Hotspot for Nursing Students?
- 4 Can You Actually Cover Your Expenses?
- 5 What Should You Consider Before Choosing a Country?
- 6 Part-Time Jobs Outside Healthcare (Before You Break Into the System)
- 7 Why This Matters to You
- 8 FAQs
Can You Work While Studying Nursing in Europe?
Yes, you can work while studying nursing in Europe, but it depends on your visa and residency status.
Most international (non-EU) students enter countries like Italy, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, or the Czech Republic on a National (Type D) visa, then transition into a temporary residency permit. This permit is what typically allows you to work legally. The general framework includes:
- Around 20 hours per week during term time (standard across most countries)
- Generally permitted to work full-time (40 hours per week) during official university holidays
- Must be enrolled in a full-time accredited university
- Must maintain a valid residence permit tied to your studies
That said, it really depends on the country that you’re choosing to study in:
| Country | Weekly Work Limit |
| Poland | ~20 hrs/week |
| Italy | ~20 hrs/week |
| Romania | 4 hours / day |
| Hungary | 30 hours / week |
| Bulgaria | ~20 hrs/week |
| Lithuania | ~20 hrs/week |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | ~20 hrs/week |
Important shift: In countries like Poland, new regulations (from 2025) will link your right to work directly to your university’s accreditation. If your university is not on that list, you will need a separate work permit, even for opportunities like working on a umowa zlecenie as a nursing student in Poland. In that case, carefully choosing where to study is more important than ever.
If you would like to learn more about your options to study nursing, you can sign up for a free consultation with our academic advisors. Just pick a time and date that suits you using the form and we’ll help you find YOUR perfect nursing school:
What Jobs Can You Do While Studying Nursing?
Keep in mind that you might not start working in healthcare immediately. Focus on taking any job or volunteering, learning the local language, and understanding the system to position yourself for future roles.
Right after that, look for these:
Healthcare Assistant Jobs
This is the most common and relevant role. You’ll find opportunities in:
- Hospitals
- Elderly care homes
- Private caregiving
Health care assistant duties usually include:
- Basic patient care (hygiene, mobility, feeding)
- Monitoring vital signs
- Assisting nurses with daily tasks
Most students become eligible and will have health care assistant skills required after Year 1 or early Year 2.
Elderly Care Jobs
- High demand across the region
- Easier entry than hospitals
- Great starting point if you lack experience
Hospital Volunteering
- Available almost everywhere
- Often your first step into the system
- Helps you build connections and credibility
Clinic Assistant / Reception Roles
- Found mostly in private clinics
- Less strict than hospitals
- Require strong local language skills
Keep in mind to look for country-based certifications that could be beneficial. For example, in Italy, foreign students can also pursue the Operatore Socio Sanitario (OSS) certification, a professional healthcare assistant qualification that enables them to work in hospitals, clinics, and elderly care settings while studying or after completion.
Some universities also help by integrating clinical language training into the curriculum, but your progress depends on how seriously you take it.
Why is Europe Is Becoming a Hotspot for Nursing Students?
The world is dealing with a major shortage of nurses, and European countries are actively opening doors to international students to fill that gap, and in that case:
- Nursing degrees are EU-recognised
- Tuition is significantly lower than in the UK
- Living costs are much lower and actually manageable (often €350-€900/month)
- English-taught programmes are widely available
The best universities to study nursing in Europe include:
- The University of Information, Technology and Management in Rzeszów
- Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences
- University of Pecs
- Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski Krakow University
- University of East Sarajevo Faculty of Medicine
Can You Actually Cover Your Expenses?
In the right country, a personal care assistant's salary, for example, may cover your expenses either fully or at least partially. Here’s why:
- Low tuition (€2,000-€6,000/year in countries such as Georgia)
- International student-friendly tax systems
- Strong demand for healthcare workers
It’s also good to mention that countries like Poland, for example, students under 26 can pay 0% income tax on earnings up to 85,528 PLN per year, while in Hungary, student cooperatives reduce tax and increase take-home pay, and Romania/Bulgaria only have a flat tax rate of around 10%
Now obviously, student earnings won’t make you rich, but they can realistically cover your living costs like rent, food, commuting and daily expenses.
What Should You Consider Before Choosing a Country?
If your goal is to work while studying, don’t just pick a country randomly.
You need to look at:
- Work restrictions (hours, permits, visa rules)
- University accreditation (affects your right to work)
- Living costs vs earning potential
- Language difficulty
- Access to healthcare jobs
Want to learn more about studying abroad? Join our next webinar and ask all your questions live. It’s free, about an hour long, and you’ll get to interact with university representatives, academic advisors, professors and more.
Working as a Healthcare Assistant (HCA) is a brilliant way to gain clinical experience and fund your life abroad, but navigating European student visa laws can be a legal minefield. One minor scheduling mistake or misunderstanding of your country's specific hourly cap can put your entire nursing slot and residency at risk. Don't leave your legal status to guesswork. Join our FREE upcoming webinar to unlock your study-and-work blueprint! Learn exactly how to balance your mandatory clinical rotations with paid HCA shifts, handle local B2 language requirements, and manage your visa paperwork safely!
Part-Time Jobs Outside Healthcare (Before You Break Into the System)
Not every student enters healthcare work immediately. In fact, many start with general part-time jobs while they settle into the country, improve their language skills, and adjust to academic life.
These roles are not the final goal, but they are often the first practical step toward financial stability and local experience.
Common options include:
- Retail jobs in supermarkets or stores
- Cafés, restaurants, and hospitality work
- Delivery and logistics roles
- Basic university assistant or campus support jobs
The key point is that these roles are usually temporary. Most students use them as a stepping stone until they reach the level required for healthcare-related positions.
Why This Matters to You
Pick the wrong country, and you might not be allowed to work enough hours, struggle with high living costs, or fail to land healthcare roles due to language barriers. A lot of students assume they’ll figure it out later, but by then, it’s already too late.Get it right, and you’re earning, gaining experience, and building your CV while studying. The right setup puts you ahead before you even graduate. If you want that, book a free consultation with 1 of our expert advisors today & we’ll help you choose your country and plan your path from the start.
FAQs
Can I Work in a Hospital During My First Year?
It depends, since most students start with volunteering or basic roles, then move into healthcare jobs after gaining initial skills.
Do I Need To Speak the Local Language?
Yes, especially for healthcare roles. Even basic proficiency makes a huge difference.
How Many Hours Can I Work?
Generally, around 20 hours per week during studies as well as full-time during the summer breaks, with some countries in Europe being more flexible than others.
Can a Healthcare Assistant Become a Nurse?
Yes, you would basically start as a healthcare assistant to gain experience, then transition into nursing roles after completing your degree and meeting licensing requirements.
Can Non-EU Nursing Students Work Full Time During Summer in Poland?
In Poland, non-EU students are generally allowed to work full-time during official university breaks, including summer, without needing additional permits, provided their residence status permits work.
