Psychological Risk Assessment in Germany: Facts & Figures 2026

§5 Para. 1 ArbSchG requires employers to assess workplace hazards. §5 Para. 3 No. 6 (added 2013) explicitly includes psychological stress ("psychische Belastungen bei der Arbeit") as a mandatory assessment category.

§25 ArbSchG sets fines of up to €30,000 for violations of the risk assessment obligation. Repeated or intentional violations can result in higher penalties and criminal liability for managers.

The GDA guidelines (published by federal and state occupational health authorities) define the accepted methodology for conducting GB Psych assessments. GDA-compliant assessments are recognized as legally sufficient by inspection authorities.

Is psychological risk assessment mandatory in Germany?

Yes. Since January 1, 2013, all employers in Germany with at least one employee are legally required to conduct a psychological risk assessment (Psychische Gefährdungsbeurteilung / GB Psych). The legal basis is §5 Para. 3 No. 6 of the German Occupational Health Act (ArbSchG). There are no exceptions for company size or industry.

What is the fine for not having a psychological risk assessment in Germany?

Employers who fail to conduct a psychological risk assessment can face fines of up to €30,000 per violation under §25 ArbSchG. In cases where an employee suffers a work-related mental health incident, additional criminal liability and personal liability of management may apply.

Which companies must conduct a psychological risk assessment?

Every employer in Germany with at least one employee must conduct a psychological risk assessment. This includes sole traders, small businesses, SMEs, and large corporations — across all industries. The requirement also applies to employees working remotely or in home office.

What does GDA-compliant mean for psychological risk assessment?

GDA-compliant means the risk assessment follows the guidelines of the Joint German Occupational Health and Safety Strategy (Gemeinsame Deutsche Arbeitsschutzstrategie, GDA). These guidelines require assessing six specific design areas: work content, work organisation, social relations, work environment, new forms of work, and working time. A GDA-compliant assessment provides legal protection in the event of an inspection.

How often does Germany inspect companies for psychological risk assessment compliance?

Under the GDA programme 2024–2028, the inspection rate is set to reach 5% of all companies per year from 2026. This means approximately 1 in 20 companies will be inspected annually. Priority sectors include healthcare, social services, retail, and logistics.

What is the difference between GB Psych and Gefährdungsbeurteilung?

A Gefährdungsbeurteilung (risk assessment) is the general term for workplace hazard assessment under §5 ArbSchG. GB Psych (or GBU Psych) specifically refers to the psychological component, which has been explicitly required since 2013 under §5 Para. 3 No. 6 ArbSchG. Both are often conducted together but the psychological component is frequently missing in practice.

Can employees remain anonymous in a psychological risk assessment?

Yes, and anonymity is strongly recommended. The German Occupational Health Act does not require individual results to be disclosed. Anonymous participation significantly increases response rates and the quality of results. A minimum group size of 5 employees is generally recommended to ensure anonymity before results are reported.

How long does a psychological risk assessment take?

Setup takes approximately 3 minutes. The employee survey takes approximately 12 minutes per participant. After the survey period (typically 1–4 weeks), the evaluation and PDF documentation are generated automatically. The total time investment for the employer is typically under 1 hour for companies with up to 50 employees.