Business Registration

Statutory Occupational Accident Insurance Association

The German ''Berufsgenossenschaften'' are public institutions responsible for occupational health and safety that also provide employers' statutory occupational accident insurance. All accidents occurring at the workplace must be insured through these institutions. Membership is therefore mandatory for all business operators that employ personnel.

Although insurance coverage is generally not compulsory for entrepreneurs who have no employees, it might be an alternative to other modes of occupational accident insurance. However, in some occupational groups, self-employed persons are also legally obliged to insure themselves through this association.

The insurance covers every employee of the insurance holder and includes restoring the employee's health and their ability to work, as well as prevention programs, pensions, and compensation. The insurance association also offers advice and provides the supporting services of specialists and hospitals specialized in healing work-related injuries and illnesses. Additional incentives also encourage employers to participate in prevention programs. The insurance association must be notified in the event of any accident at the workplace that results in sick leave of three days or more.

The statutory occupational accident insurance system is divided into special insurance coverage for the different occupational groups. If you are not sure which occupational accident insurance fits your profession, you can contact the service-hotline of the federal umbrella organization, the German Social Accident Insurance (Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung - DGUV).

The local Commercial Trades Office will usually notify the responsible statutory occupational accident insurance association in the course of the business registration process. Once this has been done, you will be contacted by the association and can then proceed with the application. Members of the liberal professions must contact the responsible statutory occupational accident insurance association themselves.

For European service providers, the German network of points of single contact provides individual assistance with the relevant administrative regulations and procedures. They guide you through all of the relevant application procedures.