Hygiene Sachkunde: Necessity or Scam?
Recently, advertisements from certain academies have claimed that a special “Hygiene Certificate” is mandatory for working in the beauty industry in Germany. They warn of potential fines of up to €25,000, business closures, and other consequences if such a certificate is missing.
It’s important to understand: These certificates are NOT always mandatory! While German law requires adherence to hygiene standards, there is no general obligation for everyone in the beauty industry to have such a certificate.
When Can a Hygiene Certificate Be Mandatory?
• For invasive treatments:
Procedures like tattooing or permanent makeup require certification under §17 IfSG. This can be obtained from your local health authority (Gesundheitsamt).
• During hygiene inspections:
Under §36 IfSG, health authorities may require proof of hygiene training, particularly in cases of identified violations.
Beware of Unnecessary Courses and Certificates! Don’t blindly trust advertising promises! Many providers exploit the lack of knowledge about legal requirements to sell unnecessary courses and certificates that lack legal validity.
In the past, there were also advertisements claiming that qualification recognition was necessary to work in Germany. We have explained in detail who really needs qualification recognition in our article “How to Start a Beauty Business in Germany: Step-by-Step Guide”.
To avoid such traps, it’s essential to know your rights and obligations. In our course on German laws for beauty professionals, we provide verified information on what is truly necessary for work and what is not worth purchasing. We help you understand how to properly run a business in Germany, what documents may be needed, and which hygiene standards are important to follow.
Our goal is to equip beauty professionals with reliable knowledge so they can work confidently and safely in Germany.