Food handler’s certificate in Germany — what it is and how to get it online
If a German employer asks for a “food handler’s certificate”, a food safety card or the famous rote Karte, they all mean one thing: the Gesundheitszeugnis — the instruction required by §43 of the German Infection Protection Act before you work with food. You can complete it online in about 10 minutes, in English.
Not an exam — an instruction
Unlike the US food handler card, Germany does not test you on food safety rules. The law requires a one-time instruction (Belehrung) about hygiene, contagious diseases and activity bans, carried out by the public health office or a doctor authorised for it. Afterwards you receive the certificate that employers must check before your first shift.
Who needs it
Everyone who commercially handles open or perishable food: kitchen staff, waiters serving unpackaged dishes, baristas, bakery and supermarket fresh-counter staff, catering crews and market stalls. Mini-jobs, student jobs and seasonal work count too. Pure delivery of sealed packages usually does not.
How to get it as an expat — 4 steps
- Register online — English interface available.
- Watch the short instruction video (English or 10+ other languages).
- Answer a few knowledge questions and verify your ID.
- Download your official certificate as a PDF — instantly.
One-time 25 €, recognised throughout Germany, and the first instruction never expires. Details on validity: how long is it valid?
Frequently asked questions
Is my foreign food handler card valid in Germany?
No. Food safety cards from the US, UK or other countries are not recognised for jobs in Germany. German law requires the instruction under §43 of the Infection Protection Act (IfSG) — but you can complete it online in about 10 minutes, in English.
What is the German food handler certificate called?
Officially it is the Bescheinigung über die Erstbelehrung nach §43 IfSG. In everyday German people say Gesundheitszeugnis, Hygieneausweis, Gesundheitspass or rote Karte (red card) — they all mean the same document.
Do delivery riders need it?
Usually not: transporting sealed packages does not count as handling open food. You do need it as soon as you help in a kitchen, prepare food or serve unpackaged dishes.
Can I do it in English?
Yes. The online instruction is available in English and more than ten other languages. The certificate you receive is the official German document employers expect.
Start your food job in Germany
Get the certificate German employers expect — online, in English, in about 10 minutes.
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