Unlike health or pension insurance, statutory accident insurance is not organised by health insurance funds but by its own carriers: the Berufsgenossenschaften (employers' liability insurance associations) for the private economy and the Unfallkassen (public accident funds) for the public sector. Who is responsible for what, and how the system is financed – explained compactly here.
The SGB VII is unambiguous: "The carriers of accident insurance are the commercial employers' liability insurance associations" as well as the public accident funds and other public carriers (source: Section 114 SGB VII, gesetze-im-internet.de, translated). In practice this means:
Nine industry-based associations cover employees in the private sector – from BG Bau (construction) and the BG for health services and welfare to the Verwaltungs-BG, which is responsible e.g. for many office jobs, temporary work and liberal professions. Responsibility depends on the employer's industry, not on your profession.
The social insurance for agriculture, forestry and horticulture (SVLFG) covers agricultural and forestry businesses.
The accident funds of the federal states and municipalities cover public sector employees – and also school pupils, students and kindergarten children. The umbrella organisation of all carriers is the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV).
The financing is unique in the social security system: "The entrepreneurs are liable to pay contributions" (source: Section 150 SGB VII, gesetze-im-internet.de, translated). Employers pay the contributions alone, calculated by payroll and the industry's risk class. Employees pay nothing – yet the protection exists automatically from day one.
As an employee, you don't have to do anything: your employer is a member of the responsible BG and reports any accident there. As a self-employed person, however, you should actively check whether your industry is subject to mandatory insurance or whether voluntary insurance makes sense – freelancers and founders in particular often overlook this. We support you with the assessment.
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The German Social Accident Insurance is the umbrella association of the Berufsgenossenschaften and public accident funds. It coordinates prevention, rehabilitation and research, but is itself not an insurance carrier for individual businesses.
Yes, every employment is covered by statutory accident insurance – regardless of scope and pay, including mini-jobs and mandatory internships.
Yes, what matters is the employment in Germany, not your nationality. Protection begins on your first day at work.
Check your entire accident protection in the Insurance Check (/versicherungs-check).
Sources: Section 114 SGB VII – Accident insurance carriers, gesetze-im-internet.de · Section 150 SGB VII – Parties liable for contributions, gesetze-im-internet.de · Updated: 2026
