How often must occupational health checks take place in Germany?

Before the activity starts and then at regular intervals (Section 4(1), Section 5(1) ArbMedVV). The regulation sets no fixed interval; the certificate states when a further check is advisable (Section 6(3) no. 3).

What is the difference between mandatory and offered checks?

The employer must arrange mandatory checks, and the work may not be done without attendance. Offered checks must be offered, and the employee may decline (Section 2(2) and (3), Sections 4 and 5).

Does the employer see the medical findings?

No. The employer and the employee receive a certificate showing the date, the reason and the next check; the doctor is bound by medical confidentiality (Section 6(1) and (3)). A change of job for reasons that lie solely in the person is only passed on with the employee's consent (Section 6(4)).

How long is the health check register kept?

Until employment ends; the entries are then deleted unless another rule says otherwise (Section 3(4) ArbMedVV).

DE · Expiry & renewal tracking

Plan mandatory and offered health checks on time

German employers must arrange mandatory health checks (Pflichtvorsorge) before an activity starts and at regular intervals, and offer optional checks likewise (Sections 4, 5 ArbMedVV); no interval in months is fixed. The next date is on the doctor's certificate (Section 6(3) no. 3); omissions are an offence.

Germany's Occupational Health Care Regulation (ArbMedVV) distinguishes mandatory checks (Pflichtvorsorge), which must be arranged for particularly hazardous activities, offered checks (Angebotsvorsorge), which must be offered for hazardous activities, and checks on request (Wunschvorsorge) (Section 2(2) to (4)). The annex sets out which activities are covered, for example work with certain hazardous substances, biological agents, noise, vibration, respiratory protective equipment or display screens.

Mandatory checks must be arranged before the activity starts and then at regular intervals; the employer may only let the employee do the work if they have attended (Section 4(1) and (2)). Offered checks must also be offered before the activity starts and then at regular intervals; if an employee declines, the employer must still keep offering them regularly (Section 5(1)). The regulation does not set a fixed interval in months.

The doctor issues the employee and the employer a certificate (Vorsorgebescheinigung) stating that, when and for what reason a check took place, and when a further check is advisable from a medical point of view (Section 6(3) no. 3). That date is the one you track.

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At a glance

Mandatory check	Arrange before the activity starts and at regular intervals; attendance is required to do the work (Section 4)
Offered check	Offer before the activity starts and at regular intervals, even after a refusal (Section 5(1))
Check on request	Allow regularly on request, unless no harm to health is expected (Section 5a)
Next date	Stated on the certificate (Section 6(3) no. 3)
Health check register	That, when and why checks took place; kept until employment ends (Section 3(4))
Doctor	Specialist in occupational medicine or with the additional title in company medicine, with no employer role towards the employee (Section 7(1))

Examples from the annex: mandatory checks for noise from 85 dB(A), for respiratory protective equipment of groups 2 and 3, and for wet work of four hours or more per day on a regular basis; offered checks for noise above 80 dB(A), for display screen work, and for wet work of more than two hours per day on a regular basis.

Who is responsible?

The employer arranges appropriate checks based on the risk assessment and engages a doctor under Section 7, preferably the appointed company doctor (Section 3(1) and (2) ArbMedVV). Checks should take place during working hours, and several reasons should be covered in one appointment (Section 3(3)). The employer keeps the health check register and hands the employee a copy of their entries when they leave (Section 3(4)). After certain activities with long latency periods, the employer also offers follow-up checks (Section 5(3)).

If the deadline passes

Administrative offences include intentionally or negligently failing to arrange a mandatory check or to do so in time, letting someone work without having attended a mandatory check, not keeping the register properly, or failing to offer an offered check or to do so in time (Section 10(1) ArbMedVV). Anyone who thereby intentionally endangers an employee's life or health is liable to prosecution under Section 26 no. 2 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (Section 10(2)).

Health checks are not fitness tests

Occupational health checks do not include proving fitness for job requirements (Section 2(1) no. 5 ArbMedVV). They should not be combined with fitness examinations unless operational reasons require it, in which case the doctor must explain the different purposes (Section 3(3)). Physical or clinical examinations may not be carried out against the employee's will (Section 6(1)).

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Add each employee and create a separate entry for each reason for a check, using the date on the certificate when the next check is advisable.
Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before the date and on the day itself.
Assign a responsible person, such as HR or the occupational safety specialist; 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 occupational health checks take place in Germany?: Before the activity starts and then at regular intervals (Section 4(1), Section 5(1) ArbMedVV). The regulation sets no fixed interval; the certificate states when a further check is advisable (Section 6(3) no. 3).
What is the difference between mandatory and offered checks?: The employer must arrange mandatory checks, and the work may not be done without attendance. Offered checks must be offered, and the employee may decline (Section 2(2) and (3), Sections 4 and 5).
Does the employer see the medical findings?: No. The employer and the employee receive a certificate showing the date, the reason and the next check; the doctor is bound by medical confidentiality (Section 6(1) and (3)). A change of job for reasons that lie solely in the person is only passed on with the employee's consent (Section 6(4)).
How long is the health check register kept?: Until employment ends; the entries are then deleted unless another rule says otherwise (Section 3(4) ArbMedVV).

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 occupational health check-up (ArbMedVV) (Germany)

A ready template for occupational health check-up (ArbMedVV) (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 occupational health check-up (ArbMedVV) (Germany) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.

Assign an owner

Give each occupational health check-up (ArbMedVV) (Germany) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.