Occupational Health Checks: What to Expect for Workplace Medicals in Germany

I remember staring at my first invitation to see the company doctor, convinced HR was secretly searching for a medical reason to terminate my probation. If you’ve just received a letter for an occupational health check (Betriebsärztliche Untersuchung) in Germany, don’t panic. This guide breaks down exactly what happens, your legal rights to privacy, and why these appointments are actually designed to protect you.

What is a “Betriebsarzt” and Why Are You Being Summoned?

When you first move to Germany and sign your employment contract, navigating the bureaucracy of the workplace can feel overwhelming. Suddenly, you receive an email instructing you to schedule an appointment with the Betriebsarzt (company medical officer). For many expats, this triggers immediate anxiety. In some countries, a company-mandated medical exam is a tool used to vet employees or deny health benefits. In Germany, the reality is the exact opposite.

The Role of the Company Medical Officer

Under the German Safety and Health at Work Act (Arbeitsschutzgesetz), every employer is legally obligated to prioritize Workplace Health and Safety: Your Rights to a Safe Work Environment. Part of this obligation involves appointing a Betriebsarzt. This is a specialized occupational health physician whose sole purpose is to ensure that your work environment is not harming your physical or mental health.

The company doctor does not act as an HR enforcer or a corporate spy. Their mandate is strictly preventative. They evaluate whether your workstation is ergonomically sound, whether you are exposed to hazardous materials, and whether your job duties are taking a toll on your wellbeing. They act as independent medical consultants. Even though they are paid by your employer (or contracted through an external agency), they are bound by the exact same strict medical confidentiality laws (ärztliche Schweigepflicht) as your regular general practitioner.

Is It Mandatory or Voluntary?

Whether you actually have to attend this checkup depends entirely on your job description and the specific risk factors involved. The Ordinance on Occupational Healthcare (ArbMedVV) categorizes these health checks into three distinct levels:

1. Mandatory Checks (Pflichtvorsorge): If your job involves significant hazards—such as exposure to dangerous chemicals, extreme noise, radiation, or tasks with a high risk of infection (like working in a hospital)—this checkup is legally mandatory. You cannot begin or continue working in that specific role without a certificate of fitness from the Betriebsarzt.
2. Offered Checks (Angebotsvorsorge): For many office workers, the checkup is offered on a voluntary basis. Your employer is legally required to offer you this checkup, typically for things like screen-related eye strain or ergonomic evaluations. However, you are completely free to decline it without any negative repercussions for your job.
3. Requested Checks (Wunschvorsorge): As an employee, you also have the right to proactively request an appointment with the company doctor if you feel your health is being negatively impacted by your work, such as developing severe back pain from your office chair or experiencing severe mental burnout.

If you are unsure whether your appointment is mandatory or just an offer, you can simply ask your HR department. Refusing an Angebotsvorsorge will not affect your status when Understanding German Work Contracts: Probation, Notice Periods, and More.

Common Types of Occupational Health Checks (G-Untersuchungen)

Historically, German occupational health checks were organized into a numbered system known as the “G-Examinations” (G-Untersuchungen). While the legal terminology has shifted slightly in recent years to focus more on risk-based assessments, the G-codes are still widely used in workplace jargon and on the forms you will receive.

The G37: Screen Working Check (Computer Workers)

If you work in IT, marketing, administration, or any role where you spend most of your day staring at a monitor, the most common invitation you will receive is for the G37 examination. This check focuses on the health impacts of prolonged screen time.

The primary concern here is your vision and musculoskeletal system. The doctor will assess your eyesight to ensure your computer screen isn’t causing severe astigmatism or myopia progression. If the doctor determines that you need special computer glasses (Bildschirmarbeitsplatzbrille) to do your job safely, they will issue a prescription. In Germany, employers are often required to subsidize or fully cover the cost of these specific occupational glasses. This is a massive benefit that many expats miss out on because they don’t understand Vision Care in Germany: Are Eye Exams and Glasses Covered.

Additionally, the G37 check includes an ergonomic consultation. The doctor will ask about your desk setup, whether you have a motorized standing desk, and if you are experiencing neck or lumbar pain. To proactively support your joints and general wellness during long office hours, many expats turn to natural supplements like Omega-3s or Vitamin D. You can easily order high-quality ergonomic aids and wellness supplements through iHerb, which delivers reliably to Germany.

The G25 and G41: Driving, Machinery, and Fall Risks

For those working outside the traditional office environment, the medical checks become far more rigorous.

• G25 (Driving, Steering, and Monitoring Activities): If your job involves operating forklifts, heavy machinery, or driving company vehicles, the G25 is usually mandatory. The doctor will test your reaction times, peripheral vision, hearing, and basic coordination to ensure you are not a danger to yourself or others on the factory floor or the road.
• G41 (Working at Heights): Construction workers, wind turbine technicians, and scaffolders must undergo the G41 check. This involves a thorough cardiovascular assessment, an ECG (electrocardiogram), and a balance test to ensure you do not suffer from vertigo or hidden heart conditions that could cause a fatal fall.

Examination Code	Target Occupation/Activity	Typical Medical Tests Performed	Mandatory or Voluntary?
G37	Office workers, developers, screen users	Vision test, posture/ergonomic review	Usually Voluntary (Offered)
G25	Forklift drivers, machine operators	Reaction time, vision, hearing, coordination	Mandatory
G41	Scaffolders, roofers, wind tech	Balance test, ECG, blood pressure	Mandatory
G42	Healthcare workers, lab technicians	Blood tests for immunity, vaccinations	Mandatory

Medicals for High-Risk and Healthcare Environments

If you work in healthcare, childcare, or a laboratory, you will likely face the G42 examination, which deals with infectious diseases. The company doctor will review your vaccination booklet (Impfpass) to check your immunity against diseases like Hepatitis B, measles, and tuberculosis. If you are missing crucial vaccinations required for your role, the Betriebsarzt can usually administer them on-site.

What Actually Happens During Your Appointment?

Walking into the company doctor’s office feels very much like visiting your regular Hausarzt. Depending on the size of your company, the doctor might have an office right inside your corporate building, or you might be sent to an external occupational health center like BAD or TÜV Rheinland.

The Interview and Standard Physical Tests

The appointment typically begins with a lifestyle and medical history questionnaire. The doctor will ask about previous surgeries, chronic illnesses, your smoking and drinking habits, and any physical complaints you currently have. It is important to be honest here; remember, they are bound by medical confidentiality.

For a standard office worker checkup, the physical exam is light. It usually involves a vision test using a specialized machine, a brief hearing test, and perhaps a blood pressure check. If you are undergoing a more intensive mandatory check (like the G41 or G42), expect to provide a urine sample, have your blood drawn to check liver and kidney function, or undergo a resting ECG.

If you want to understand how these workplace screenings fit into your broader preventative healthcare routine, it is highly recommended to read up on general Health Check-ups in Germany: Recommended Exams by Age and Gender.

Privacy Rules: What the Employer Actually Finds Out

The biggest fear among international workers is that the company doctor will find a health issue and report it to HR, jeopardizing their job. This is a myth. German data protection laws (GDPR) and medical confidentiality are incredibly strict.

The Betriebsarzt will never share your medical diagnoses, test results, or health history with your employer without your explicit, written consent. After your examination, the doctor sends a standardized certificate of attendance to your HR department. This piece of paper contains no medical data. It simply states one of three things:

1. The employee is fit for the duties of the role.
2. The employee is fit for the role, but under certain conditions (e.g., “needs an ergonomic chair” or “must wear computer glasses”).
3. The employee is temporarily or permanently unfit for this specific hazard (this is rare and usually only applies to high-risk physical jobs).

If you are dealing with burnout or severe stress, the company doctor can be a powerful ally. They can formally recommend to your employer that your workload be adjusted or that you be granted a temporary reduction in hours—all without disclosing the clinical details of your mental health.

How Insurance and Costs Factor In

Navigating the German healthcare system can be confusing, especially when workplace medicals intersect with your personal health insurance coverage.

Who Foots the Bill?

The golden rule of occupational health checks in Germany is that the employee never pays. Because the employer is legally mandated by the Arbeitsschutzgesetz to provide a safe working environment, the employer bears 100% of the financial burden for the Betriebsarzt consultation, any required blood tests, and any workplace-specific vaccinations (like a Hepatitis B shot for a nurse).

You do not need to bring your public health insurance card (Gesundheitskarte) to this appointment unless the doctor specifically requests it for administrative purposes, as the billing goes directly to your company. The time you spend at the doctor’s office, including travel time if the clinic is off-site, is legally counted as paid working time.

Integrating Occupational Care with Your Overall Health Plan

While the company doctor is fantastic for workplace-related issues, they do not replace your primary care physician. If the Betriebsarzt discovers high blood pressure during your routine G37 check, they will not prescribe you daily medication. Instead, they will advise you to visit your regular doctor for long-term treatment.

If you are an expat who prefers English-speaking support and a digital-first approach to health insurance, Feather Insurance provides incredibly transparent, easy-to-understand public and private plans tailored for foreigners.

For high-earning professionals who opt out of the public system entirely, securing a comprehensive private plan ensures you get rapid access to specialists if your company doctor flags an issue. Providers like Ottonova offer fully digital, premium private health insurance that guarantees fast specialist appointments and English-speaking concierge services, making it seamlessly easy to follow up on any health concerns raised at work.

Ultimately, the occupational health check is a massive benefit of the German labor system. It is a free, confidential health screening designed to ensure your job isn’t slowly destroying your body or mind. Once you understand that the Betriebsarzt is strictly on your side, that scary HR letter becomes nothing more than a welcome opportunity to prioritize your wellbeing.

References

Primary sources (official)

• Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) – Occupational Safety and Health: https://www.bmas.de/EN/Labour/Occupational-Safety-and-Health/occupational-safety-and-health.html
• Safety and Health at Work Act (Arbeitsschutzgesetz – ArbSchG) – English Translation: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_arbschg/

Other helpful sources

• Zoll.de – Safety, health and hygiene at work: https://www.zoll.de/EN/Businesses/Work/Foreign-domiciled-employers-posting/Minimum-conditions-of-employment/General-conditions-of-employment/Occupational-health-and-safety/occupational-health-and-safety_node.html

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute formal medical or legal advice. Occupational health laws and company-specific policies can vary. Always consult with your HR department, your assigned Betriebsarzt, or a certified legal professional in Germany regarding your specific workplace rights and health requirements.