How often must a crane be inspected in Germany?

At least yearly by a qualified person, and mobile tower cranes at least every six months. Derrick, tower, mobile, truck-mounted, offshore and large truck-loader cranes are also inspected by an expert inspector (Annex 3, Section 1, Table 1 BetrSichV).

Who counts as a qualified person?

Someone whose vocational training, professional experience and recent professional work give them the knowledge needed to inspect; any further requirements in Annex 3 must also be met (Section 2(6) BetrSichV).

Does an approved inspection body (ZÜS) have to inspect cranes?

Annex 3, Section 1 does not provide for a ZÜS for cranes; it relies on qualified persons and expert inspectors. ZÜS inspections concern the installations subject to monitoring listed in Annex 2 (Section 2(13) and (14)), and cranes are not listed there.

How long must crane inspection records be kept?

For the entire period the crane is in use (Annex 3, Section 1, No. 3.3).

DE · Expiry & renewal tracking

Keep periodic crane inspections on track

German employers must have cranes inspected at least yearly by a qualified person, mobile tower cranes every six months; tower, mobile, derrick and large loader cranes are also inspected by an expert at least every four years (BetrSichV Annex 3, Section 1, Table 1). A test is on time up to two months after due.

Annex 3, Section 1 of Germany's Industrial Safety Regulation (BetrSichV) covers inspections of trolleys and of jib, slewing, derrick, overhead travelling, wall-mounted travelling, gantry, pillar-jib, tower, mobile, truck-loader, truck-mounted, floating, offshore and cable cranes (No. 1.1). A periodic inspection by a person qualified to carry out inspections (zur Prüfung befähigte Person) is required at least yearly for all of these, and at least every six months for mobile tower cranes (Table 1). Manually or partly power-operated cranes also need at least a yearly inspection (Table 2).

Some types also need an inspection by an expert inspector (Prüfsachverständiger): derrick cranes and truck-mounted cranes at least every four operating years; tower and offshore cranes at least every four operating years, in the 14th and 16th operating year and then at least yearly; mobile cranes and truck-loader cranes with a load moment above 300 kNm or a boom longer than 15 m at least every four operating years, in the 13th operating year and then at least yearly (Table 1). When an expert inspector carries out the required periodic inspection, no additional inspection by a qualified person is needed (No. 3.1).

The employer sets the inspection intervals in the risk assessment and may not exceed the intervals in Annex 3 (Section 3(6) BetrSichV). The due date is given as month and year; an inspection counts as on time if it is carried out no later than two months after the due date (Section 14(5)). If an inspection shows that the crane cannot be operated safely until the next one, the interval must be reset (Section 14(2)).

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At a glance

Crane	Qualified person	Expert inspector (periodic)
Trolleys; jib, slewing, overhead travelling, wall-mounted, gantry, pillar-jib and cable cranes	At least yearly	Not required
Truck-loader cranes up to 300 kNm load moment and 15 m boom	At least yearly	Not required
Derrick cranes, truck-mounted cranes	At least yearly	At least every 4 operating years
Tower cranes	At least yearly	At least every 4 operating years, in the 14th and 16th year, then at least yearly
Mobile tower cranes	At least every 6 months	At least every 4 operating years, in the 14th and 16th year, then at least yearly
Mobile cranes; truck-loader cranes above 300 kNm or 15 m	At least yearly	At least every 4 operating years, in the 13th year, then at least yearly
Offshore cranes and floating cranes under offshore conditions	At least yearly	At least every 4 operating years, in the 14th and 16th year, then at least yearly
Floating cranes under other conditions; manually or partly power-operated cranes	At least yearly	Not required

Before first use, depending on the crane type, an expert inspector or a qualified person carries out the inspection; for some types it is not needed because items already tested in the conformity assessment need not be tested again (Tables 1 and 2, Section 14(1)). After changes that require testing an expert inspector inspects; after exceptional events a qualified person does (No. 3.4).

Who is responsible?

The employer has cranes inspected periodically and sets the intervals (Section 14(2) and (4), Section 3(6) BetrSichV). The employer ensures that the result is recorded with the type and scope of the inspection, the result, and the inspector's name and signature (Section 14(7)); for cranes, records are kept for the entire period of use (Annex 3, Section 1, No. 3.3). If a crane is used at different sites, proof of the last inspection must be kept at the site (Section 14(7)). Qualified persons are not bound by the employer's technical instructions when inspecting (Section 14(6)).

If the deadline passes

Administrative offences include, among others, intentionally or negligently failing to have work equipment inspected, or inspected in time, as required by Section 14(1) sentence 1 or (4) sentence 1 (Section 22(1) no. 28 BetrSichV), and failing to ensure that equipment subject to inspection is only used if the inspections have been carried out and documented (Section 22(1) no. 8). Anyone who endangers an employee's life or health through such an intentional act is liable to prosecution under Section 26 no. 2 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (Section 23(1)).

Who is an expert inspector?

A qualified person who in addition holds an engineering degree or has comparable knowledge, has at least three years' experience in the design, construction, maintenance or inspection of cranes, including at least six months taking part in an expert inspector's inspections, knows the relevant rules, has the necessary equipment and documents, and keeps their knowledge up to date (Annex 3, Section 1, No. 2).

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Add each crane and enter the month of the next periodic inspection; add a second entry for the expert inspection.
Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before the date and on the day itself.
The inspector can upload the inspection report through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account.
Assign a responsible person to each crane, such as the plant or site 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 crane be inspected in Germany?: At least yearly by a qualified person, and mobile tower cranes at least every six months. Derrick, tower, mobile, truck-mounted, offshore and large truck-loader cranes are also inspected by an expert inspector (Annex 3, Section 1, Table 1 BetrSichV).
Who counts as a qualified person?: Someone whose vocational training, professional experience and recent professional work give them the knowledge needed to inspect; any further requirements in Annex 3 must also be met (Section 2(6) BetrSichV).
Does an approved inspection body (ZÜS) have to inspect cranes?: Annex 3, Section 1 does not provide for a ZÜS for cranes; it relies on qualified persons and expert inspectors. ZÜS inspections concern the installations subject to monitoring listed in Annex 2 (Section 2(13) and (14)), and cranes are not listed there.
How long must crane inspection records be kept?: For the entire period the crane is in use (Annex 3, Section 1, No. 3.3).

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 crane annual inspection (BetrSichV) (Germany)

A ready template for crane annual inspection (BetrSichV) (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 crane annual inspection (BetrSichV) (Germany) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.

Assign an owner

Give each crane annual inspection (BetrSichV) (Germany) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.