Apply for a medical certificate
Instruction and written certification pursuant to Section 43 of the Infection Protection Act (IfSG) for individuals who wish to work in the food industry or in institutional food service.
How to proceed
- 1
Information session at the public health department or an accredited agency
Employees must attend the initial training in person; subsequent training sessions may be conducted by the employer.
- 2
Received instruction and written certification
Costs approximately €20–30 and is valid for life for the initial training.
- 3
Submit the certificate to your employer
The employer must review the certificate before the employee begins work.
Responsible authority
The authority of your main place of residence is responsible.Find authority →
Fees
Varies by case
Processing time
1 day
Official: max. 1 day
Online application
In person or by post
Common mistakes
- • Health certificate confused with health passport
- • Training not completed before starting work
The essentials before applying
Who is eligible?
Individuals who are working in the food retail, restaurant, or institutional food service sectors for the first time.
Income limit
The limit varies by household and region – see the table at the responsible authority or in the application assistant.
Processing time
Nationwide: approx. 1 day
Success rate
approx. 98.0 % (estimate)
Most common mistakes
- •Health certificate confused with health passport
- •Training not completed before starting work
Common reasons for rejection
Alternatives
- Check related services in the application assistant
- Use social counselling before applying
If rejected
Read the decision carefully: often submitting missing documents or reapplying helps more than an objection.
Questions & Answers
Do I need to renew my health certificate?▼
The initial training is a one-time event. However, the employer must conduct and document follow-up training annually.