🇩🇪 Medical Exams for the Germany Working Holiday

Volare Editorial | August 30, 2026

One of the most recurring doubts when comparing the requirements of the Germany Working Holiday with other European or Oceanian destinations is the need to present health certificates or medical exams. Unlike countries such as Australia or France, Germany has a different administrative approach regarding the physical fitness of its applicants.

At Volare, we break down the official regulations for our partner nationalities so you know if you really need to visit a doctor's office before your appointment at the Federal Foreign Office of Germany (Auswärtiges Amt).

The General Rule: Not mandatory for most

For the vast majority of travelers in our community, it is not necessary to present a general medical exam or a health certificate to apply for this visa. Germany does not require a clinical validation of your physical condition for citizens of:

• Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Canada, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.

For these passports, the visa folder focuses purely on economic solvency, criminal records (if the country requires it), and private medical insurance, omitting any type of medical check-up or chest x-ray prior to approval.

The Exception: The case of South Korea

Within our associated nationalities, South Korea is the one that presents a technical exception in its bilateral agreement. South Korean citizens must include a Health Certificate in their application. This is an official document where a registered doctor certifies that the applicant does not suffer from infectious diseases that put public health at risk. Generally, this document is required to be issued in English and signed by the health professional.

Summary Board: Medical Exam vs Medical Insurance

It is vital not to make the mistake of thinking that, by not requiring a physical exam, health coverage is not needed. "Incoming" Medical Insurance is the most critical, mandatory, and exclusive requirement for all nationalities.

Although you do not have to prove that you are healthy today, you must prove to the German government that you will be financially protected if you get sick tomorrow:

Health Requirement	Physical Medical Exam	International Medical Insurance
Is it mandatory?	❌ NO (Except South Korea)	✅ YES (For all nationalities)
Purpose	To demonstrate current health	To cover future emergencies and accidents
Key Condition	Not applicable	Minimum coverage of 30,000 € (Zero deductible)
Repatriation	Not applicable	Must include mandatory medical and funeral repatriation

Volare Note: Without your printed and valid medical insurance certificate for the 365 days of your trip, the visa will be immediately rejected at the counter, regardless of your excellent current health status.

Specific jobs: When you will need to go to the doctor

Although the official Make it in Germany portal and the embassies do not ask for exams to approve the Working Holiday, you could face health requirements once you land in Europe, depending on the route you choose:

1. Jobs in Gastronomy (Rote Karte): If you get a job in restaurants, cafes, or food handling, the State will require you to obtain the Gesundheitszeugnis (certificate of health instruction) issued by the local health department (Gesundheitsamt). It is not a blood test, but a mandatory training on hygiene.

2. Health and Childcare Sector: If you are going to work in hospitals, clinics, or childcare, your employer will legally require specific medical exams and complete vaccination schedules.

3. Change to Student Visa: For certain university careers or technical training programs (Ausbildung), especially in biological or health areas, the German educational system might request preventive check-ups.

Complete Volare Guide

Knowing which procedures can save you time and money is the secret to a stress-free application. To learn how to contract the right medical insurance, how to demonstrate your funds, and the step-by-step form guide, we invite you to consult our Official Germany Working Holiday Visa Guide.