How often must a lift be inspected in Germany?

A main inspection by a ZÜS at least every two years, plus an interim inspection halfway through the interval, also by a ZÜS (Annex 2, Section 2, Nos. 4.1 and 4.3 BetrSichV). The employer sets the actual interval; two years is the maximum.

Who may inspect lifts?

An approved inspection body (ZÜS), both before first use and for main and interim inspections (Nos. 3.1, 4.1 and 4.3). In-house inspection bodies of companies may only be approved for installations under Sections 3 and 4, so not for lifts (Annex 2, Section 1, No. 2).

Does an early inspection move the next date?

Yes. If the test is carried out before the due date, the next interval starts from the month and year it was done (Section 14(5), Section 16(3) BetrSichV).

Does this apply to escalators?

No. Escalators and moving walkways are excluded from lift installations under Annex 2, Section 2 (No. 2).

DE · Expiry & renewal tracking

Plan main and interim lift inspections on time

German lifts are inspected periodically by an approved inspection body (ZÜS): the employer sets the main interval, at most two years, with an interim inspection halfway (BetrSichV Annex 2, Section 2, Nos. 4.1, 4.3). A test is on time up to two months after the due month (Section 14(5)); omitting it is an offence.

Under Germany's Industrial Safety Regulation (BetrSichV), lift installations must be tested regularly by an approved inspection body (zugelassene Überwachungsstelle, ZÜS); this is the main inspection (Hauptprüfung). The employer sets the interval in the risk assessment, and it may not exceed two years (Annex 2, Section 2, No. 4.1 BetrSichV; Section 3(6) BetrSichV).

In addition, an interim inspection (Zwischenprüfung) must take place halfway between two main inspections, also by a ZÜS. It covers visual and simple function checks of safety devices and a check of selected safety-relevant components (No. 4.3). A ZÜS also tests the lift before it is first put into service and before it is used again after changes that require testing (Nos. 3.1 and 3.2).

The due date is given as month and year, and the interval for the next test starts from the due date of the last one. A test counts as on time if it is carried out no later than two months after the due date. If it is carried out early, the new interval starts from the month and year it was done (Section 14(5) and Section 16(3) BetrSichV; for the interim inspection, No. 4.3). A marking in the car, such as an inspection sticker, must show the month and year of the next periodic test and the inspecting body (Section 17(2)).

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At a glance

Main inspection	By a ZÜS, interval of no more than 2 years (Annex 2, Section 2, No. 4.1)
Interim inspection	By a ZÜS, halfway between two main inspections (No. 4.3)
Before first use and after changes that require testing	Test by a ZÜS (Nos. 3.1 and 3.2)
Due date	Month and year; on time up to 2 months after the due date (Section 14(5), Section 16(3))
Marking in the car	Month and year of the next test and the inspecting body, e.g. as a sticker (Section 17(2))
Records	Test records and certificates kept on site for the entire period of use (Section 17(1))

This covers lifts within the meaning of the EU Lifts Directive 2014/33/EU, certain machinery such as construction site hoists and façade access equipment, and paternoster lifts. Excluded are, among others, escalators and moving walkways and hand-operated lifts (Annex 2, Section 2, No. 2).

Who is responsible?

The employer ensures that the installation is tested periodically and sets the test intervals (Section 16(1) and Section 3(6) BetrSichV). Anyone who, without being an employer, uses an installation subject to monitoring for commercial or business purposes is treated as an employer (Section 2(3)). The employer obtains a test certificate from the ZÜS and keeps records and certificates at the place of operation (Section 17(1)). If the ZÜS finds the interval was set incorrectly, the employer shortens it in agreement with the ZÜS; if the employer disagrees, it must obtain a decision from the competent authority (Annex 2, Section 2, No. 4.1).

If the deadline passes

It is an administrative offence to fail, intentionally or negligently, to ensure that the installation is tested as required by Section 16(1) in conjunction with Annex 2, Section 2, No. 4.1 or 4.3 (Section 22(2) no. 7 BetrSichV). Anyone who persistently repeats such an intentional act, or thereby endangers another person's life or health or third-party property of significant value, is liable to prosecution under Section 33 of the Act on Installations Subject to Monitoring (Section 23(2) BetrSichV).

What the main inspection checks

The inspection establishes whether the technical documents, in particular the EC declaration of conformity and the emergency plan, are available and the rescue instructions are plausible, and whether the installation is in proper condition and can be used safely (No. 4.2). It includes the electrical installation as far as needed to assess safe use (No. 4.1), and all safety devices outside the lift itself, such as the emergency power supply of firefighters' lifts (No. 1).

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Add each lift and enter the main inspection with the month shown on the inspection sticker; add a second entry for the interim inspection.
Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before the date and on the day itself.
The inspection body or the lift service company can upload the new certificate through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account.
Assign a responsible person to each lift, such as the property manager; emails arrive in each recipient's language. If a date passes, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.

Frequently asked questions

How often must a lift be inspected in Germany?: A main inspection by a ZÜS at least every two years, plus an interim inspection halfway through the interval, also by a ZÜS (Annex 2, Section 2, Nos. 4.1 and 4.3 BetrSichV). The employer sets the actual interval; two years is the maximum.
Who may inspect lifts?: An approved inspection body (ZÜS), both before first use and for main and interim inspections (Nos. 3.1, 4.1 and 4.3). In-house inspection bodies of companies may only be approved for installations under Sections 3 and 4, so not for lifts (Annex 2, Section 1, No. 2).
Does an early inspection move the next date?: Yes. If the test is carried out before the due date, the next interval starts from the month and year it was done (Section 14(5), Section 16(3) BetrSichV).
Does this apply to escalators?: No. Escalators and moving walkways are excluded from lift installations under Annex 2, Section 2 (No. 2).

Sources

Last checked: Sep 30, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.

Made for lift main inspection (ZÜS) (Germany)

A ready template for lift main inspection (ZÜS) (Germany) with sensible validity defaults, so you enter less and track more.

Reminders on time

Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each lift main inspection (ZÜS) (Germany) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.

Assign an owner

Give each lift main inspection (ZÜS) (Germany) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.