First aid course paid by the BG: how your accident insurance covers the fee

First aid at work is mandatory in Germany – but your company does not have to pay for it. If you train employees as workplace first aiders, your Berufsgenossenschaft (BG) or Unfallkasse – the statutory accident insurance – covers the course fee. SoftAid bills them directly, so you do not pay anything upfront.

To make this work smoothly, you only need one thing: the right form – at the right time and as the original. In this article you will learn which form your BG requires, how the process works and where to download our billing form.

Who pays for first aid training at work?

Under DGUV Regulation 1, every company must have enough workplace first aiders. The cost of their initial and refresher training is borne by the responsible accident insurance institution: your Berufsgenossenschaft or – in the public sector – your Unfallkasse. For you, this means: your company meets its obligation, and the course fee does not end up on your invoice.

How many first aiders does your company need?

• 2 to 20 employees present: at least one first aider
• More than 20 employees in administration and retail: 5 % of employees
• More than 20 employees in all other businesses: 10 % of employees

The BG covers the cost for as many first aiders as your company needs – many BGs also pay for a reserve to cover holidays or shift work. The training comprises 9 teaching units and is valid for two years. After that, a refresher course is due, which the BG also covers.

How BG billing works at SoftAid

1. 1Book a course: Choose the first aid course for companies and select “BG form” as the payment method.
2. 2Prepare the form: depending on your BG, our billing form, the BGW online confirmation, the original BGN form or the voucher from your Unfallkasse.
3. 3Bring the original: stamped and signed, handed to the course instructor at the start of the course.
4. 4We handle the billing: The BG pays the course fee directly to SoftAid. Your employees receive their certificate of attendance.

Which form does your BG require?

Each Berufsgenossenschaft handles cost coverage slightly differently. Most accept our billing form, the BGW has its own online procedure, the BGN sends you its form by post and Unfallkassen usually work with vouchers. Look for your BG below – underneath you will find what you need to do before the course.

BG BAU, BG ETEM, BGHW, BG RCI, BG Verkehr, BGHM, VBG and SVLFG

For these Berufsgenossenschaften, our SoftAid billing form applies. One form fits ten participants.

1. 1Download the form (just below) and fill it in on your computer or with a dark pen: company details, company number (Unternehmensnummer, 15 digits) and the names and dates of birth of the participants. Then print it.
2. 2Have it stamped and signed – company stamp and signature in the original. Please do not add anything else by hand.
3. 3Hand it in at the start of the course: On the day of the course, the original goes to the course instructor before the course begins.

BGW – health services and welfare

The BGW checks cost coverage in advance using an online procedure. For this, you first need a course date.

1. 1Book a course date – you need the date and location of the course for the online application.
2. 2Apply for cost coverage online and enter all participants. The BGW checks right away whether it will cover the costs.
3. 3Print the confirmation including the list of participants, and have it stamped and signed. Please do not add names by hand.
4. 4Hand it in at the start of the course – as the original, to the course instructor.

BGN – food and hospitality

The BGN only accepts its own original form with your company details pre-printed. Allow some lead time for this.

1. 1Request the form from the BGN first aid team. It arrives by post with your company details, usually within 5 to 7 working days.
2. 2Fill in the green fields and enter the participants. Leave the pre-printed company details as they are.
3. 3Have it stamped and signed – in the original.
4. 4Hand it in at the start of the course – to the course instructor, before the course begins.

Unfallkassen – public sector, schools and daycare centres

Public authorities, schools and municipal daycare centres are usually insured with an Unfallkasse, in Berlin for example with the Unfallkasse Berlin. Here, cost coverage usually works with a voucher (Gutschein).

1. 1Apply for a voucher: Before the course, request a voucher or a confirmation of cost coverage from your Unfallkasse. The quickest way is to call their prevention department (Prävention).
2. 2Ask about our form: Some Unfallkassen also require the SoftAid billing form (available for download above). Ask about it directly when you call.
3. 3Hand it in at the start of the course: the voucher and, if required, the form as originals, with stamp and signature.

Unfallkasse Baden-Württemberg (UKBW): Here, fill in the form on the UKBW website before the course instead, print it and have it stamped and signed.

For teaching and childcare teams, we also offer our first aid course for educational and childcare facilities – it can also be billed via the Unfallkasse.

Not sure which BG your company belongs to?

• Check your contribution notice (Beitragsbescheid): It shows the name of your Berufsgenossenschaft or Unfallkasse.
• Ask your accounts department: Your payroll department or tax advisor also knows the insurance institution.
• Call us: We are happy to help on 030 26547770.

When the BG pays – and when it does not

Free of charge for your company if …

• it concerns the initial or refresher training of workplace first aiders (9 teaching units),
• the participants are employed by you – including apprentices and mini-jobbers,
• the complete original form is available at the start of the course.

You will receive an invoice at the regular course price if …

• the form is missing, is only a copy or lacks stamp and signature,
• more people take part than your BG covers,
• participants are not employed by you,
• the course is abandoned or someone does not show up.

Frequently asked questions about BG billing

Do we have to pay upfront?

No. If the complete original form is available, we bill your BG or Unfallkasse directly. Your company does not receive an invoice.

Is a scan or copy of the form enough?

No. The stamp and signature must be on the form in the original.

Can we hand in the form after the course?

Unfortunately not. Documents received after the start of the course can no longer be billed to the BG. In that case, we invoice the course at the regular course price.

Does the BG also pay for the refresher course after two years?

Yes. The training is valid for two years, and the BG also covers the subsequent refresher course. On our billing form, simply tick “Fortbildung” (refresher training).

Each accident insurance institution sets its own rules for cost coverage. The requirements of your BG or Unfallkasse are binding.

This article is also available in German.