Workplace first aid requirements
First Aid & CPR Germany
If you run or manage a workplace in Germany — an office, shop, construction site or factory — the law requires you to have enough trained first-aiders on your staff, ready to help a colleague in an emergency.
An employer duty — to rescue a colleague
Workplace first aid is not a job qualification: it is the employer's duty to appoint and train enough first-aiders, scaled to headcount and risk level, so someone can act immediately if a colleague is injured. The exact number and rules depend on the regulations that apply in Germany.
What the law requires in Germany
How many designated first-aiders?
Minimum number of designated first-aiders (Ersthelfer) set by headcount: 1 first-aider for 2–20 employees present; above 20, at least 5% of the workforce in administrative and commercial firms and 10% in all other firms (production, trades).
Germany governs occupational health and safety through national legislation that requires employers to provide first aid in the workplace.
Initial training and the two-yearly refresher include a hands-on in-person component delivered by an accident-insurance-accredited provider; the theory portion may be completed online.
Region specifics
- First-aider refresher training is mandatory every two years to keep the qualification valid.
- Training costs are covered by the competent statutory accident insurer (Berufsgenossenschaft/Unfallkasse).
Why it matters
A workplace emergency can happen at any time. When it does, the difference between a positive outcome and a tragedy often comes down to whether someone nearby is trained to respond. Having certified first aiders on staff isn't just a legal requirement — it's an investment in your team's safety.
Is this really what you're looking for?
Our first-aid and CPR courses are 100% online, lead to a recognized certification, and exceed the required standards; a hybrid option is also available and fits most needs. Choose the course that fits your situation:
The course
Our course, built to the CSA Z1210-17 standard, 100% online and leading to a certification, meets and exceeds this requirement.
CSA Z1210-17First Aid – Healthcare Professional (16h) - Compliant with CSA Z1210-17
This 16-hour first aid training, compliant with the CSA Z1210-17 standard, is specifically designed for healthcare professionals. Upon completion, the candidate will receive a certification valid for two years, meeting the requirements of 'Intermediate First Aid Training' as defined in the CSA Z1210-17 standard. Skills will be updated annually, and the training must be renewed every two years to maintain active certification. Tailored for nurses, it strengthens the safety of residents in long-term care facilities and other healthcare settings.
CSA Z1210-17First Aid – Intermediate Level (16h) – CSA Z1210-17 Compliant
Upon successful completion of this 16-hour IN-PERSON intermediate-level first aid training, the candidate will receive a valid certification that meets the requirements of 'Intermediate First Aid Training' as defined in the CSA Z1210-17 standard.
Specifically need the "Workplace first aid" certificate?
That specific regulatory certificate must be completed in full with the legislating body: German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) and the state occupational safety authorities.
A non-authorised provider cannot deliver the statutory Ersthelfer training: the designated first-aider must be trained by a DGUV-authorised body. A non-accredited online course can only complement or prepare, never satisfy the requirement.