Vaccinations and preventive check-ups covered by GKV

Germany's statutory health insurance system (GKV - Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) covers all vaccinations recommended by STIKO, the Standing Committee on Vaccination, plus regular preventive health check-ups at key life stages. Both are free to insured residents, with no out-of-pocket costs.

Free STIKO-Recommended Vaccinations

All vaccines recommended by STIKO are fully covered by GKV. These include routine immunizations against tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis), measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), as well as polio, hepatitis B, haemophilus influenzae b, meningococcus, pneumococcus, rotavirus, and others depending on age and risk factors.

Your Hausarzt (family doctor) is the main point of access for STIKO-recommended vaccinations. Pediatricians administer childhood vaccines, while adult primary care doctors handle booster shots and catch-up vaccinations. Since 2022, pharmacies can also administer flu and COVID-19 vaccines to adults. The doctor or pharmacist will record all vaccinations in your Impfpass (vaccination booklet) and track your immunization schedule, sending you reminders for booster doses as needed.

The Masernschutzgesetz: Mandatory Measles Vaccination for Kita and School

Since March 1, 2020, proof of measles vaccination is legally required for children to attend Kita (kindergarten or daycare) or school in Germany. This is set out in the Masernschutzgesetz (Measles Protection Act). All children from the age of one must provide proof of measles vaccination when entering these facilities. Staff working in daycare centers, schools, medical facilities, and other community settings must also provide proof.

What Counts as Proof

You can prove measles vaccination with a vaccination certificate (your Impfpass), a child health record booklet (Kinderuntersuchungsheft or Gelbes Heft), or a medical certificate confirming the child has had measles. For children from age one, one vaccination is sufficient; from age two onward, two vaccinations are required for full protection. The only measles vaccine available in Germany is the MMR vaccine, which also protects against mumps and rubella.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Non-vaccination has serious consequences. Unvaccinated children cannot be admitted to Kita or school. Parents of school-age children who do not provide proof of vaccination face fines of up to 2,500 euros. Children and staff already in institutions at the time the law took effect had until July 31, 2021 to provide proof. The Gesundheitsamt (local health office) is responsible for enforcement and follow-up.

Free Preventive Check-ups for All Ages

The GKV offers a rolling programme of free preventive health check-ups (Vorsorgeuntersuchungen) designed to catch disease risk factors early. Coverage varies by age and, for cancer screenings, by gender.

General Health Check-ups (Gesundheits-Check-up)

If you are between 18 and 34 years old, you are entitled to one general health check-up. From age 35 onward, you can have the check-up every three years at no cost. Your health insurance provider covers all expenses. The check-up includes measurement of blood pressure, assessment of cardiovascular disease risk, and screening for early signs of type 2 diabetes and kidney disease. From age 35, the exam also includes blood tests for cholesterol and blood sugar, a urine test, and optional blood tests for hepatitis B and C (offered once).

You should attend fasting (empty stomach) and bring your vaccination booklet (Impfpass) to your appointment. After the examination, your doctor will discuss your personal health risk profile and may recommend lifestyle changes or refer you to preventive courses or further specialists if needed.

Cancer Screenings by Age and Sex

Cancer screening programs are age and gender-specific and are all covered by GKV:

• Women from age 20: Annual cervical cancer screening (Pap smear) by gynecologist.
• Women from age 30: Annual breast palpation examination.
• Women aged 50-69 (extended to 75 as of July 2024): Mammography (breast X-ray) every two years.
• Men from age 45: Annual prostate and external genital examination.
• Men and women from age 50: Bowel cancer screening (annual test for hidden blood in stool, or two colonoscopies at 10-year intervals).
• Men and women from age 35: Full-body skin cancer screening every two years by dermatologist or general practitioner.
• Women under 25: Annual chlamydia screening.

Statutory insurance will send written invitations to eligible persons at the appropriate age. However, you can also claim screenings without an invitation once you reach the eligible age.

Managing Your Vaccination Records: The Impfpass

The Impfpass (also called Impfausweis or Impfbuch) is a small, standardized yellow booklet recognized across the EU and internationally. It is your official vaccination record and essential for school enrolment, travel, and medical care in Germany.

Bringing Your Vaccination Records from Abroad

If you already have a yellow WHO-standard vaccination booklet from your home country, bring it with you to Germany. If you have vaccination records in another format (such as a certificate or card from the USA, UK, or another country), bring these as well. Your Hausarzt will review your vaccination history, verify which vaccines you have received, and transcribe verified vaccinations into a new German Impfpass. If your records are in a language other than English or German, you may need to have them professionally translated by a certified medical translator before a German doctor can formally accept them.

During your first appointment with a German GP, hand over all foreign vaccination documents and request a German Impfpass. The doctor will carefully record the historical dates of your past vaccines into the new yellow booklet, stamp and sign these entries, and identify any gaps in your immunization history according to STIKO recommendations. If you are missing booster shots standard in Germany but not in your home country, your doctor can administer them during the same visit.

Getting a New or Replacement Impfpass

If you do not have a vaccination record from your home country, or if you lose your Impfpass in Germany, you can obtain one for free from your Hausarzt, pediatrician, or local Gesundheitsamt. If you purchase one from a pharmacy, it usually costs a small fee of one to two euros. Always bring your vaccination booklet to all medical appointments and keep it up-to-date so your doctor can recommend booster shots on time.

Before You Arrive: Preparing Your Vaccinations

Depending on your home country's vaccination schedule, you may need additional vaccines once you are in Germany. STIKO recommendations differ slightly from those in other countries. Common areas of difference include the schedule and timing of boosters for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, as well as recommendations for meningococcus and pneumococcus at different ages. Your German doctor will compare your records against the STIKO schedule and recommend catch-up vaccinations if needed.

Vaccinations are free under GKV, so costs are not a barrier once you have health insurance. However, make sure you register with health insurance as soon as possible after arrival in Germany — without insurance, you will have to pay out of pocket.

If you have young children, understanding STIKO recommendations in advance is helpful. Talk to your new Hausarzt or pediatrician about which vaccines your children may still need, especially if you plan to enrol them in Kita or school soon. Keep in mind the mandatory measles vaccination requirement and gather all vaccination documentation before your child's first day.