German employers must name first aiders (Ersthelfer) in proportion to the number of people present. Each completes a 9-unit first aid course and a 9-unit refresher, normally every two years. The accident insurance institution pays the course fee. Here is the rule set, and how to keep every shift covered.
Last updated · ExpiryEdge editorial team
In Germany, a workplace with 2 to 20 people present needs at least one trained first aider. Above 20, it needs 5 % of those present in offices and retail and 10 % in other workplaces such as production or construction (DGUV Regulation 1 § 26). First aiders take a 9-unit course and refresh it normally every two years; the accident insurer pays the course fee.
What DGUV Regulation 1 and the Occupational Safety and Health Act (ArbSchG) require of employers.
| Topic | Rule | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| 2 to 20 insured persons present | At least 1 first aider | DGUV Regulation 1 § 26 (1) |
| More than 20 present - offices and retail | 5 % of those present | DGUV Regulation 1 § 26 (1) |
| More than 20 present - other workplaces | 10 % of those present | DGUV Regulation 1 § 26 (1) |
| Childcare facilities / universities | 1 per group of children / 10 % of insured staff | DGUV Regulation 1 § 26 (1) |
| Initial training | First aid course, 9 teaching units, at an authorised training body | DGUV Regulation 1 § 26 (2) |
| Refresher | Normally every 2 years, 9 teaching units; employer must obtain proof | DGUV Regulation 1 § 26 (3) |
| Course fees | Paid by the accident insurance institution; wages and travel by the employer | DGUV first aid FAQ |
| Naming first aiders | Employer names them after consulting the works council | § 10 (2) ArbSchG |
Yes, once two or more insured persons are present. The employer must make sure the required number of trained first aiders is available whenever people are working (§ 10 ArbSchG, DGUV Regulation 1 § 26). In a small office with up to 20 people present, that means at least one - in practice two, so holidays and sickness do not leave a gap.
Normally every two years, with a 9-unit refresher at an authorised training body (DGUV Regulation 1 § 26 (3)). The employer has to obtain proof of the refresher. Track the date of the last course for each first aider and plan the next one well ahead, because courses fill up.
According to the DGUV first aid FAQ, the person can initially continue as a first aider, but the refresher must take place at the next possible date. If in doubt, a full first aid course can be booked instead, as it has the same scope of 9 units.
Overdue refreshers are the most common gap: the course date sits on a certificate in a drawer and nobody sees it come round again.
The accident insurance institution (Berufsgenossenschaft or Unfallkasse) pays the standard course fee directly to the training body, for people who actually attended. The company pays wages for the training time and travel costs.
Required numbers per shift, each first aider with the last course date and the next refresher, and the status at a glance.
Use the number of insured persons actually present, not the headcount on paper. Apply 1 first aider for 2-20, then 5 % or 10 % depending on the type of workplace.
Name them formally, after consulting the works council (§ 10 ArbSchG), and add deputies for holidays, sickness and night shifts.
The accident insurer pays the fee. Keep the certificate for each person with the course date.
Set a reminder well before the two years are up so a seat can be booked before the date passes.
Obtain proof of each refresher as § 26 requires, and keep the first aid notice with current names up to date.
Each first aider is a record with the course date, the refresher due date two years later, the site and the shift. The person and their manager are reminded 90, 60, 30 and 7 days before - by email, SMS, WhatsApp, Slack or Teams - and the safety specialist sees every overdue refresher on one dashboard.
Refresher date rolls forward when the new certificate arrives
Filter by site, shift or department
Escalation if a refresher is missed
Send the first aider a link to upload the new course certificate from their phone, without creating an account. The certificate lands on their record, so you can show the proof DGUV Regulation 1 asks for in seconds.
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Automatic follow-up until it arrives
Timestamped audit trail
With 2 to 20 insured persons present, at least one. With more than 20 present, 5 % in administrative and retail businesses and 10 % in other businesses such as production and construction; childcare facilities need one per group of children (DGUV Regulation 1 § 26). The count is based on people present, so plan it per shift.
There is no expiry printed in law, but DGUV Regulation 1 § 26 (3) requires first aiders to be refreshed normally every two years. In practice, a workplace first aider counts as current for two years after the last course.
According to the DGUV first aid FAQ, the person may initially continue as a first aider, but the refresher must be done at the next possible date. A full first aid course can be booked instead, as it has the same 9 units. Meanwhile check that the required number of current first aiders is still present on every shift.
Yes. The accident insurance institutions pay the fee for the standard first aid course and refresher at authorised training bodies, for people who actually attended. The employer pays wages for the training time and travel costs.
Anyone trained at a training body authorised by the accident insurance institution, or someone with medical or paramedic training (DGUV Regulation 1 § 26 (2)). The employer names first aiders after consulting the works council (§ 10 ArbSchG).
The rule counts insured persons present, so agency workers on site are part of the count. Agree with the agency who provides first aiders and keep the proof for anyone counted.
Hold each first aider as a record with the course date, site and shift, and set reminders before the two-year date. ExpiryEdge sends those reminders by email, SMS or WhatsApp, collects the new certificate by upload link and shows overdue refreshers across all sites.
Import your first aiders and course dates, set reminders, collect certificates by link. Free 14-day trial, no credit card.
