This page covers the steps for applying for a Rote Karte (Red Card) in Berlin. We detail the steps for obtaining this important safety and sanitation certificate, including how, where and when to apply for your Rote Karte at your local health department in the German capital

Related resources

• Documents required to start a job in Germany

• Hospitality jobs in Berlin

• Finding a job in Berlin: What you need to know

• Accommodation with Anmeldung in Berlin

• Free relocation resources to help you move to Germany

If you are looking to work in hospitality in Germany, then you will need a safety and sanitation certificate, known locally as a Rote Karte (Red Card). Essentially, any job in Germany that involves preparing or handling food requires that you have a Rote Karte, whether this is in a kitchen, hotel, bar, restaurant or kindergarten.

Many hospitality venues will not hire you unless you already have a Rote Karte, so it is good to get this sorted as early as possible in your job hunt.

Where to apply for a Rote Karte (Red Card) in Berlin?

You can apply for a Rote Karte at one of Berlin’s local health offices (Gesundheitsamt). Here you have three options:

• Bezirksamt Mitte
  Turmstr. 21, 10559 Berlin

• Bezirksamt Lichtenberg
  Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 24, 10315 Berlin

• Bezirksamt Charlottenburg - Wilmersdorf

  Hohenzollerndamm 177

How to book a Rote Karte (Red Card) in Berlin?

• You can book a Rote Karte appointment at one of Berlin’s local health offices via this link.

• Scroll to the bottom of the page and select ‘Termin buchen’ at the health office where you would like to attend your appointment: 

• A calendar page will then open showing available appointments. Available Rote Karte appointments will show in blue – if there are no appointments available, the calendar will be blank and you will need to wait for the next batch of appointments to be released:

• Once you have scheduled a Rote Karte appointment, you will be emailed an appointment confirmation. We recommend printing the appointment confirmation to show on arrival at your Rote Karte appointment.

How to apply for a Rote Karte in Berlin?

Once you have scheduled your Rote Karte appointment at a Gesundheitsamt in Berlin, the next step is to actually attend your appointment. At the time and date of your appointment, go to the local health office with:

• Your appointment confirmation

• Your passport

• Your address registration certificate (Anmeldebestätigung)

You also need a German speaker with you if you only have basic or limited German language skills. The reason for this is that the appointment consists of a 20-minute instructional video in German. If the Gesundheitsamt staff do not think your German skills are sufficient for understanding the instructional video, then they may not let you apply for the Rote Karte.

Once you have watched the instructional video, you will be issued your Rote Karte (Red Card).

Note: If you have not registered at an address in Berlin at the time of your appointment, then you will not be permitted to apply for the Rote Karte. If you are needing an address in Berlin that permits address registration (Anmeldung), then you may be interested in booking a furnished apartment with Smartments. Smartments provide well-located, studio accommodation and offer Anmeldung so long as you book for at least 14 nights. By opting for Smartments, you can get registered within days of arriving in Berlin.

How much does the Rote Karte cost in Berlin?

The cost for the Rote Karte (Red Card) is €20.

In general, you will need a German EC card in order to pay for the Rote Karte (although the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf Gesundheitsamt has been known to accept cash – we recommend double-checking this with the health office prior to your appointment).

We hope this page helps you with your Rote Karte application in Berlin. For further information about getting set up in Berlin, see our relocation guides and resources on our homepage.