Quick answer
Important
1. Birth to day 10
U1 happens immediately after birth and U2 is scheduled for the 3rd to 10th day. Confirm who will perform U2 if you leave the hospital early. Keep screening records and the Gelbes Heft together.
Ensure the birth notification reaches the Standesamt and contact the intended health insurer.
| Task | Timing |
|---|---|
| U1 | Immediately after birth |
| U2 | 3rd–10th day |
| Birth notification | Within one week |
| Notify health insurer | Promptly after birth |
Useful resource
Binding schedule and scope of statutory early-detection examinations and newborn screenings.
Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) · not a government authority
Official source
Official process and documents for registering a newborn after a hospital, birth-centre or home birth.
Federal Ministry for Family Affairs — Familienportal
2. Weeks 2 to 8
Arrange the U3 for the 4th–5th week and establish a Kinderarzt practice. Use postnatal midwife care and your own medical follow-up as arranged.
Submit Kindergeld and Elterngeld applications promptly. Elterngeld back payment is limited, and benefit applications require different evidence.
3. The rest of the first year
The standard windows are U4 in months 3–4, U5 in months 6–7 and U6 in months 10–12. Book early because practices fill up. Bring the Gelbes Heft and vaccination record.
Discuss the current STIKO vaccination schedule with the paediatric practice rather than using an old calendar. Recommendations can change.
| Check | Official window |
|---|---|
| U3 | 4th–5th week |
| U4 | 3rd–4th month |
| U5 | 6th–7th month |
| U6 | 10th–12th month |
Official source
The current official vaccination calendar for infants, children, adolescents and adults.
Robert Koch Institute
4. Documents and benefits
Common tasks include birth certificates, health insurance, Kindergeld, Elterngeld, employer leave notifications, nationality/residence documents where relevant, and the child’s tax ID. Requirements depend on family circumstances.
Secure civil documents
Complete Standesamt requirements and order the certificate versions you need.
Confirm insurance
Obtain membership confirmation and eGK.
Apply for benefits
Use the Kindergeld and Elterngeld guides; do not wait for every other document if the authority accepts later submission.
Check residence status
If relevant, ask the immigration authority what the child requires.
5. Postnatal and early-family support
Frühe Hilfen are voluntary and free local services available from pregnancy until a child is three. Services differ locally and can include family midwives and practical support. Seeking help is not a failure.
Official source
Free, voluntary local support from pregnancy until a child is three years old.
Federal Ministry for Family Affairs — Familienportal
6. Plan childcare early
Ask your Jugendamt or municipality when Kita registration opens, how waiting lists work and which documents are needed. In high-demand areas, start well before the intended care date.
7. Urgent care
For health concerns, contact the Kinderarzt, 116117 for urgent non-life-threatening care, or 112 for life-threatening emergencies. This page does not provide symptom thresholds.
Important
8. Frequently asked questions
Preferably before or soon after birth, especially if U2 or U3 will be outside the hospital.
U1, U2, U3, U4, U5 and U6, each in a defined window.
After birth and promptly, because retroactive payment is limited to three life months.
Local Frühe Hilfen are voluntary and free from pregnancy until the child is three.
Official information
Rules and amounts change. Always verify current requirements using official sources.
Child health screening directive (U1–U9), opens in a new tab
Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) · not a government authority
Binding schedule and scope of statutory early-detection examinations and newborn screenings.
Registering a birth with the Standesamt, opens in a new tab
Federal Ministry for Family Affairs — Familienportal
Official process and documents for registering a newborn after a hospital, birth-centre or home birth.
Early support for families (Frühe Hilfen), opens in a new tab
Federal Ministry for Family Affairs — Familienportal
Free, voluntary local support from pregnancy until a child is three years old.
Current STIKO vaccination recommendations, opens in a new tab
Robert Koch Institute
The current official vaccination calendar for infants, children, adolescents and adults.
Related guides
Amounts and legal requirements can change. We verify this information against official sources and show when each figure was last checked, but always confirm important requirements with the responsible authority before you apply.
Einfach Germany is an independent information platform and is not affiliated with the German government.