How to get a health certificate in Germany — in 10 minutes
If your new employer asked for a Gesundheitszeugnis, Hygienepass or rote Karte, this is the page for you. All three mean the same document — the first-time instruction under §43 of the German Infection Protection Act — and you can complete it online, in English, in about 10 minutes. Here is exactly how.
The four steps online
- Choose your language and pay 25 €. Card, PayPal, Apple Pay or Google Pay. No account needed — you just receive a link by e-mail.
- Watch the instruction video (about 8 minutes). It covers the hygiene rules, the illnesses that ban you from handling food and your duty to report symptoms — the legally required content of §43 IfSG, explained clearly.
- Answer a few comprehension questions. They confirm you understood the video. A wrong answer just means another try; nobody fails.
- Verify your identity and download the PDF. A quick check of your ID, and your certificate arrives by e-mail immediately — signed under medical supervision, valid across Germany, and it never expires.
The traditional way: the Gesundheitsamt
You can also book an in-person session at your local public health office. Fees range from about 13 € to 60 € depending on the city, and appointments in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg or Frankfurt are often booked out for weeks. Many offices only serve residents of their own district, and the session is usually held in German only. For most newcomers, the online route is simply faster and easier — see the full cost comparison.
When you need it by
Before your first shift that involves open food. The law also says the certificate must not be older than three months when you start a food-handling job for the first time — so if you already have one from a previous job, you can reuse it; if you are getting your first one, do it shortly before day one. Working in a restaurant, café or bar? Employers there almost always want to see it before the trial shift.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an appointment?
Not online. The instruction is available 24/7 — you start whenever you like and finish in about 10 minutes. Only the public health office (Gesundheitsamt) works with appointments, and in larger cities the wait can be weeks.
What do I need to have ready?
A valid ID (passport, national ID card or German residence permit), an e-mail address for the certificate and about 10 minutes. No prior knowledge — everything you need is in the instruction video.
Can I do it in English?
Yes. The full instruction — video, questions and interface — is available in English and 10+ other languages including Turkish, Polish, Romanian, Arabic and Ukrainian. The certificate itself is issued in German (that is what German employers and inspectors expect) with an English explanatory note.
Is the online certificate accepted by my employer?
Yes. It is the same legal instruction under §43 of the German Infection Protection Act, delivered under medical supervision. It is valid in all 16 federal states, for any employer, indefinitely.
What if I fail the questions?
You cannot fail. The questions check that you understood the video; if you answer wrongly you simply get another try. Nobody is turned away.
Ready? It takes 10 minutes.
Instruction in English, certificate by e-mail, 25 € once — and you are cleared to work with food anywhere in Germany.
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