Vaccinations in Germany: Your 2026 guide

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself (and others) from preventable diseases.

In Germany, vaccinations are widely recommended — and in some cases, legally required — and are deeply integrated into public health policy.

Still, figuring out how the system works can feel overwhelming for newcomers and long-time residents alike: What vaccines are recommended? Who decides that? How much does health insurance cover? And what do you need to know as an expat arriving with vaccination records from another country?

In this guide, you'll learn:

• How the German vaccination system works
• What vaccines are recommended for children, adults, travelers, and pregnant women
• Where to get vaccinated
• How much vaccinations cost (and what insurance covers)
• What to do if you experience side effects
• Practical tips for expats

Let's dive right into it.

How does the vaccination system work in Germany?

Staying up to date with vaccinations also earns points in your insurer's bonus program.

The Infection Protection Act (Infektionsschutzgesetz or IfSG) is the foundation of Germany's vaccination system. It dictates how vaccinations are approved, recommended, financed, and delivered.

Here's how the regulation is structured:

• The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) develops official vaccine recommendations, which the government uses to determine which vaccines are covered by health insurance.
• The Federal Ministry of Health (Bundesministerium für Gesundheit) sets the overarching public health policy and ensures alignment with EU regulations.
• The Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (a federal agency) approves vaccines for Germany. It evaluates clinical trials to ensure safety, efficacy, and quality, and monitors side effects after rollout.
• Many vaccines are first approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which provides centralized approvals across all EU countries.
• Germany's federal states are responsible for implementing vaccination programs. Local public health offices (Gesundheitsämter) organize regional vaccination campaigns, especially for schools.

The German vaccination record (Impfpass)

The Impfpass is Germany's official vaccination record booklet. It's a small yellow document that records every vaccine you receive, and it is recognized across the EU and in most other countries.

If you recently moved to Germany, your GP or local health office can issue a new Impfpass and transcribe verified vaccines into it.

If you don't have any documents, doctors will help you reconstruct your vaccine history based on self-reporting. Depending on your vaccination history, they may recommend catch-up vaccinations where necessary.

Since January 2025, vaccination records are also being digitized as part of Germany's electronic patient record (ePA). However, the yellow paper Impfpass remains valid and widely used — the digital system runs in parallel and full functionality isn't expected until 2027.

What vaccines are recommended in Germany?

STIKO's schedule lays out the most essential vaccines recommended at different life stages.

Standard vaccinations for children and adolescents

For more on pediatric healthcare in Germany, see our dedicated guide.

Standard vaccinations for adults

Standard vaccinations for travel

Standard vaccinations during pregnancy

Depending on individual health, travel plans, or risk factors, doctors may assess additional needs per case.

Where can you get vaccinated?

Vaccinations are just one part of Germany's preventive care system — see our full guide to health check-ups and screenings in Germany for everything you're entitled to.

1. General practitioners (GPs)

Most adults and children receive vaccines through Hausärzte (family doctors) or pediatricians. These clinics track your vaccination history and provide reminders for follow-ups.

Learn more about how to visit a doctor in Germany or get tips on finding the right doctor.

2. Public health offices (Gesundheitsämter)

They offer free vaccinations in many cities, particularly for:

• School-entry health checks
• Refugees or uninsured individuals
• Large-scale campaigns (e.g., measles elimination)

They also handle international vaccination certificates for travel.

3. Pharmacies

Since 2022, pharmacies in Germany can administer flu and COVID-19 vaccines to adults. A pharmacy reform (Apothekenreformgesetz), approved by the Federal Cabinet in December 2025, would expand this to include all non-live vaccines (such as tetanus and TBE) — though this is still pending Bundestag passage as of early 2026.

Not all pharmacies offer vaccination services yet — contact yours in advance to confirm. Learn more about how pharmacies work in Germany.

4. Schools and workplaces

Schools may coordinate vaccinations like HPV or measles for eligible students, often in collaboration with local health authorities. Employers and universities sometimes run on-site vaccination campaigns, especially during flu season.

How much do vaccinations cost in Germany?

This is one of the most common questions expats ask. Here's the short answer:

STIKO-recommended vaccines: Free

All vaccines recommended by STIKO are fully covered by both public (GKV) and private health insurance. You pay nothing out of pocket. This includes all childhood vaccines, adult boosters, flu shots, shingles, pneumococcal, and COVID-19 vaccines.

Travel vaccines: Depends on your insurer

Travel vaccines are not automatically covered by all insurers, but many of the major GKV providers do cover them:

• TK, BARMER, and AOK cover all 11 common travel vaccines
• DAK covers 10 of 11

Feather's private plans cover 100% of travel vaccine costs, including cholera, dengue, TBE, Japanese encephalitis, yellow fever, typhoid, and hepatitis A & B.

If your insurer doesn't cover a specific travel vaccine, approximate out-of-pocket costs are:

Prices based on Charité Berlin travel clinic rates (February 2026). A consultation fee of ~€31 typically applies. Private clinics may charge 10–30% more.

Occupational vaccines: Your employer pays

If your job requires specific vaccinations (e.g., healthcare workers, laboratory staff), your employer is responsible for the cost — not your health insurance.

Are vaccines safe in Germany?

Yes. Vaccines used in Germany undergo rigorous evaluation before approval and continuous monitoring after rollout. Both national (PEI) and European agencies (EMA) assess safety and effectiveness.

Mild side effects — low-grade fever, fatigue, or soreness at the injection site — are common and short-lived. Severe reactions are rare.

When to seek medical attention

Contact a doctor if you experience:

• High fever lasting more than 48 hours
• Severe allergic reactions (rash, shortness of breath, swelling) lasting more than 24 hours
• Neurological symptoms (seizures, confusion, persistent headaches)
• Persistent injection site swelling or pain beyond 72 hours

If you're in doubt, try waiting a few hours before contacting emergency services.

How to report adverse effects

Anyone can report vaccine side effects to the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut using their reporting forms (available in English and German). Include the vaccine name, date and type of reaction, and your age and relevant health background.

Tips for expats arriving in Germany

If you're new to Germany, here are some practical steps for navigating the vaccination system:

1. Bring your vaccination records — even if they're in another language. Your German GP can review them and transcribe verified vaccines into a new Impfpass.
2. Get an Impfpass — ask your doctor or local Gesundheitsamt. It's a small yellow booklet that serves as your official vaccination record across the EU.
3. Check for catch-up vaccinations — depending on your home country's schedule, you may need additional vaccines. Your doctor will compare your records against the STIKO recommendations.
4. Measles is mandatory — since March 2020, proof of measles vaccination is required for entering schools, daycares, and certain community facilities. Make sure your records show two MMR doses.
5. Get health insurance sorted first — with insurance in place, all STIKO-recommended vaccines are free. Without insurance, you'll pay out of pocket.
6. Use your insurer's bonus program — many public insurance bonus programs reward you with cash for completing recommended vaccinations.

For a broader overview of getting settled, see our guide to how the German healthcare system works or explore expat health insurance options.