Führungszeugnis (Germany)
A German certificate of good conduct issued by the Federal Office of Justice, required for certain employment positions to verify an individual's criminal record status.
What Is a Führungszeugnis?
Key Takeaways
- ✓A Führungszeugnis is Germany's official certificate of good conduct, comparable to a police clearance certificate in other countries.
- ✓It's issued by the Bundesamt fur Justiz (Federal Office of Justice) based on data from the Bundeszentralregister (Federal Central Register).
- ✓There are two types: the Einfaches Führungszeugnis (simple) for general use and the Erweitertes Führungszeugnis (extended) for roles involving children or vulnerable adults.
- ✓Applications cost EUR 13 and can be submitted online or at local registration offices (Burgeramt/Einwohnermeldeamt).
- ✓Employers can't apply for a Führungszeugnis themselves. Only the individual can request their own certificate.
A Führungszeugnis is Germany's official criminal record certificate. Issued by the Bundesamt fur Justiz (Federal Office of Justice), it shows whether an individual has relevant criminal convictions recorded in the Bundeszentralregister (Federal Central Register). It's the German equivalent of a DBS check in the UK, a police clearance certificate in Australia, or an FBI background check in the US. Unlike many other countries, Germany doesn't allow employers to directly access an applicant's criminal record. The system is designed to protect individual privacy. Only the person themselves can request their own Führungszeugnis, and they decide whether to share it with a prospective employer. Not every job requires one. German labor law restricts when employers can request a Führungszeugnis to situations where the criminal record check is directly relevant to the position. A bank can request one for a teller handling cash. A daycare can require one for staff working with children. A marketing agency generally cannot require one for a content writer.
Legal basis
The Führungszeugnis is governed by the Bundeszentralregistergesetz (BZRG), specifically sections 30 through 31. The law defines what information appears on the certificate, how long entries remain, and who can request it. The Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz (AGG, General Equal Treatment Act) further limits when employers can use criminal record information in hiring decisions. Using a Führungszeugnis to discriminate against applicants based on protected characteristics is illegal under German law.
What appears on a Führungszeugnis
Not all convictions appear. The Führungszeugnis only shows convictions that exceed certain thresholds. Fines of 90 daily rates or fewer (Tagessatze) and prison sentences of 3 months or less generally don't appear, provided there are no other entries. Juvenile convictions are excluded in most cases. Entries are automatically removed after set periods: 3 years for fines and suspended sentences, 5 years for prison sentences under 1 year, and longer for more serious convictions. The certificate states either that no entries exist ("keine Eintragung") or lists the relevant convictions with dates and sentencing details.
Types of Führungszeugnis
Germany issues two types of certificates for employment purposes. The type required depends on the nature of the role.
When employers can require an extended certificate
The extended Führungszeugnis (Erweitertes Führungszeugnis) can only be requested by individuals when an employer or organization needs it for roles defined in Section 72a of the Social Code Book VIII (SGB VIII). These include teachers, daycare workers, youth coaches, social workers with minors, and any position involving regular contact with children or vulnerable adults. The employer must confirm in writing that the role qualifies before the applicant can apply for the extended version. The Burgeramt won't issue an extended certificate without this written employer confirmation.
| Type | German Name | When Required | What It Shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Certificate | Einfaches Führungszeugnis | General employment, landlord requests, volunteering | Standard entries exceeding minimum thresholds from the Federal Central Register |
| Extended Certificate | Erweitertes Führungszeugnis (Section 30a BZRG) | Roles involving supervision of minors or vulnerable adults | Includes additional sex offense and child abuse entries that don't appear on the simple version |
| Authority Certificate | Behordenführungszeugnis (Section 31 BZRG) | Requested by public authorities for licensing, permits, or official decisions | Sent directly to the requesting authority, not to the individual. Shows more entries than the simple version. |
| European Certificate | Europaisches Führungszeugnis | EU citizens applying in Germany; includes data from their home country | Combines German records with criminal record data from the applicant's EU country of nationality |
How to Apply for a Führungszeugnis
There are two application methods. Both require the applicant to be registered in Germany with a valid address (Anmeldung).
Online application through the Federal Portal
Since 2021, German residents can apply online at www.führungszeugnis.bund.de (the official Federal Office of Justice portal). The process requires an electronic ID card (Personalausweis) with the online function (eID) activated, a card reader or a smartphone with NFC capability, and the AusweisApp2 software. The applicant selects the type of certificate, enters their personal details, pays the EUR 13 fee online, and receives the certificate by mail within 1 to 2 weeks. The online method is faster than applying in person because it skips the local office processing step.
In-person application at the Burgeramt
Applicants can visit their local Burgeramt (citizens' office) or Einwohnermeldeamt (residents' registration office) with a valid ID or passport. The office staff helps complete the application, collects the EUR 13 fee (cash or card depending on the municipality), and forwards the request to the Federal Office of Justice. The certificate arrives by mail at the applicant's registered address within 1 to 3 weeks. For extended certificates, the applicant must bring the written employer confirmation explaining why the extended version is needed.
Applications from abroad
Germans living abroad can apply through German embassies or consulates. The process takes longer, typically 4 to 6 weeks. Non-German citizens who previously lived in Germany can also request a Führungszeugnis as long as they were registered with a German address at some point. The fee is the same (EUR 13), though embassies may charge additional processing fees. The certificate is mailed to the applicant's foreign address.
Employer Obligations and Legal Limits
German employers face specific restrictions on when and how they can use criminal record checks in hiring. Understanding these limits prevents legal liability.
When employers can request a Führungszeugnis
There's no blanket right to demand a Führungszeugnis from every applicant. German labor courts have ruled that employers can only request one when the criminal record check is directly relevant to the role's responsibilities. Roles involving financial trust (banking, accounting), security-sensitive work, positions with access to vulnerable populations, and public sector roles typically justify the request. Asking a warehouse worker for a Führungszeugnis without a specific justification could be challenged as a violation of the applicant's privacy rights under German data protection law (Bundesdatenschutzgesetz and GDPR).
Handling the certificate
Employers should only view the Führungszeugnis. They shouldn't make copies or store it in the employee's personnel file. GDPR and German data protection law require that criminal record data be processed only to the extent necessary. Best practice: the HR team reviews the certificate, notes whether it's clean or contains relevant entries, and returns the original to the applicant. If a copy must be retained (which is rare), the data retention period should be limited and documented.
What to do if the Führungszeugnis has entries
An entry on a Führungszeugnis doesn't automatically disqualify a candidate. The employer must evaluate whether the specific conviction is relevant to the role. A shoplifting conviction from 5 years ago probably isn't relevant for a software developer position. A fraud conviction might be highly relevant for a finance role. Blanket policies of rejecting all applicants with any criminal history may violate the AGG (General Equal Treatment Act) and could lead to discrimination claims. Document the rationale for any hiring decision based on Führungszeugnis entries.
Practical Guide for HR Teams Managing Führungszeugnis Requirements
HR teams hiring in Germany or managing German employees need a clear process for handling Führungszeugnis requirements.
- Determine during role design whether a Führungszeugnis is legally justified for the position
- Include the requirement in the job posting so candidates can start the application process early
- Provide written confirmation to candidates if an extended certificate (Erweitertes Führungszeugnis) is needed
- Allow 2 to 4 weeks between offer acceptance and the expected start date for certificate processing
- Never apply for or request a Führungszeugnis on behalf of the candidate. Only the individual can request it.
- Review the certificate in person, note the status (clean or entries), and return the original document
- Don't store copies of the certificate unless legally required for the specific role
- If the certificate shows entries, evaluate relevance to the role before making any hiring decision
- For international candidates, accept the European Führungszeugnis or equivalent police clearance from their home country
- Set calendar reminders for roles requiring periodic rechecks (common in childcare and financial services)
Führungszeugnis vs Background Checks in Other Countries
Germany's approach to criminal record checks differs significantly from other major hiring markets.
| Country | Document Name | Who Requests It | Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | Führungszeugnis | The individual only | EUR 13 | 1-3 weeks |
| United Kingdom | DBS Check (Disclosure and Barring Service) | Employer or individual (depending on type) | GBP 18-38 | 2-8 weeks |
| United States | FBI Background Check / State-level checks | Employer (with candidate consent via FCRA) | $30-100+ | 1-5 business days (private); 3-4 weeks (FBI) |
| Australia | National Police Check | Individual or employer (accredited bodies) | AUD 42-60 | 1-15 business days |
| UAE | Good Conduct Certificate / Police Clearance | Individual (through police app or office) | AED 100-220 | 3-5 business days |
| Canada | RCMP Criminal Record Check / Vulnerable Sector Check | Individual | CAD 25-75 | 1-4 weeks |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my German employer apply for my Führungszeugnis on my behalf?
How long is a Führungszeugnis valid?
Do minor offenses appear on the Führungszeugnis?
What if I'm a foreign national working in Germany?
Can I check what's on my Führungszeugnis before sharing it with an employer?
Is a Führungszeugnis the same as a Polizeiliches Führungszeugnis?
Written by Adithyan RK