When is the interim inspection due?

Halfway through the interval between two main inspections (Annex 2, Section 2, No. 4.3 BetrSichV). On the maximum permitted main interval of two years (No. 4.1), that is about one year after the last main inspection.

Who may carry out the interim inspection?

An approved inspection body (ZÜS), as for the main inspection (No. 4.3).

What does the interim inspection cover?

Visual and simple function checks of safety devices and selected safety-relevant components (No. 4.3). The full check of the installation's condition and documents belongs to the main inspection (No. 4.2).

Is there a tolerance period?

Yes. Because Section 14(5) applies accordingly, the due date is given as month and year and the test counts as on time if it is carried out no later than two months after the due date.

What if the interim inspection is skipped?

Failing to ensure that the installation is tested under Annex 2, Section 2, No. 4.3 is an administrative offence (Section 22(2) no. 7 BetrSichV).

DE · Expiry & renewal tracking

Don't forget the lift's interim inspection

A German lift's interim inspection (Zwischenprüfung) is done by an approved body (ZÜS) halfway between two main inspections, about a year after the last one on a two-year cycle (BetrSichV Annex 2, Section 2, No. 4.3). The employer must ensure it (Section 16(1)); it is on time up to two months after the due month.

In addition to the main inspection, a lift installation must undergo an interim inspection (Zwischenprüfung) halfway through the interval between two main inspections. It covers visual and simple function checks of safety devices and a check of selected safety-relevant components, and it must be carried out by an approved inspection body (zugelassene Überwachungsstelle, ZÜS) (Annex 2, Section 2, No. 4.3 of Germany's Industrial Safety Regulation, BetrSichV).

Its date follows from the main inspection: the employer sets the main inspection interval in the risk assessment, and it may not exceed two years (No. 4.1). On the usual two-year interval, the interim inspection therefore falls about one year after the last main inspection; if the employer sets a shorter main interval, the interim inspection moves closer too. Section 14(5) applies to the interim inspection accordingly (No. 4.3): the due date is given as month and year, the interval for the next test starts from the due date of the last one, or from the month and year of an early test, and a test counts as on time if it is carried out no later than two months after the due date.

The interim inspection is a duty in its own right with its own date, not a footnote to the main inspection. Failing 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 is an administrative offence (Section 22(2) no. 7 BetrSichV). The main inspection itself, its scope and the marking in the lift car are described in a separate guide; this page keeps the interim date.

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At a glance

Legal basis	Annex 2, Section 2, No. 4.3 BetrSichV together with Section 16(1) and Section 14(5)
When	Halfway between two main inspections (No. 4.3); the main inspection interval may not exceed 2 years (No. 4.1)
Inspector	Approved inspection body (ZÜS) (No. 4.3)
Scope	Visual and simple function checks of safety devices and a check of selected safety-relevant components (No. 4.3)
Due date	Month and year; on time up to 2 months after the due date (Section 14(5) via No. 4.3)
Proof	ZÜS test certificate, kept at the place of operation (Section 17(1))

This covers lift installations within the meaning of Annex 2, Section 2, No. 2 BetrSichV. The interval between two interim inspections equals the interval between two main inspections, so at most two years; if the employer sets a shorter main interval, the interim interval shortens as well. The regulation names no separate maximum interval for the interim inspection.

Who is responsible?

The employer must ensure that installations subject to monitoring are tested periodically in accordance with Annex 2 (Section 16(1) BetrSichV). Anyone who, without being an employer, uses such an installation for commercial or business purposes is treated as an employer (Section 2(3)). Because the test must be carried out by a ZÜS, the employer obtains a test certificate from it and keeps records and certificates at the place of operation (Section 17(1)). The periodic inspection also establishes whether the intervals were set correctly; in a dispute the competent authority decides (Section 16(2)).

If the deadline passes

It is an administrative offence to fail, intentionally or negligently, to ensure that an installation subject to monitoring 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); the interim inspection is named there expressly. A test counts as on time only if it is carried out no later than two months after the due date given as month and year (Section 14(5)).

Two dates per lift, offset by half the interval

Main and interim inspections alternate: on a two-year main interval, the interim inspection follows about a year after the main inspection and the next main inspection a year after that. If the main inspection is carried out before its due date, the new interval starts from the month and year it was done (Section 14(5), Section 16(3)), and the interim date shifts with it. It is therefore worth re-deriving the interim date from the test certificate after every main inspection.

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Add each lift and enter the interim inspection by month and year, halfway between the last and the next main inspection; keep the main inspection as its own entry.
Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before the date and on the day itself, leaving time to book the ZÜS.
After every main inspection, adjust the interim date if the main inspection took place earlier than planned.
The inspection body or the lift service company can upload the test 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; if a date passes, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.

Frequently asked questions

When is the interim inspection due?: Halfway through the interval between two main inspections (Annex 2, Section 2, No. 4.3 BetrSichV). On the maximum permitted main interval of two years (No. 4.1), that is about one year after the last main inspection.
Who may carry out the interim inspection?: An approved inspection body (ZÜS), as for the main inspection (No. 4.3).
What does the interim inspection cover?: Visual and simple function checks of safety devices and selected safety-relevant components (No. 4.3). The full check of the installation's condition and documents belongs to the main inspection (No. 4.2).
Is there a tolerance period?: Yes. Because Section 14(5) applies accordingly, the due date is given as month and year and the test counts as on time if it is carried out no later than two months after the due date.
What if the interim inspection is skipped?: Failing to ensure that the installation is tested under Annex 2, Section 2, No. 4.3 is an administrative offence (Section 22(2) no. 7 BetrSichV).

Sources

Last checked: Oct 14, 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 intermediate inspection (ZÜS) (Germany)

A ready template for lift intermediate 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 intermediate inspection (ZÜS) (Germany) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.

Assign an owner

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