Anyone offering sexual services in Germany must register under the Prostitutes Protection Act before starting work. The result is the registration certificate. Getting there takes two conversations with the responsible office and a few documents. The legal framework of the ProstSchG has its own overview; this guide covers the practice in Berlin: what is required, what it costs and what happens at the appointment.
Step 1: Mandatory Health Counselling Under Section 10 ProstSchG
The first step is a counselling session at the public health office. It covers, among other things, disease prevention, contraception, pregnancy and the risks of alcohol and drug use. In Berlin, ProGAB at Rathaus Schöneberg is responsible. The session is free and confidential, and telephone interpreting is available in many languages. Important: the certificate for this session must be no older than three months when you register. Going too early means repeating it.
Step 2: The Registration Appointment at ProGAB in Berlin
Registration is in person and possible from age 18. In Berlin the district office of Tempelhof-Schöneberg is responsible: ProGAB, Rathaus Schöneberg, John-F.-Kennedy-Platz 1, 10825 Berlin, entrance via Freiherr-vom-Stein-Straße, 1st floor, room 1001. You can book by phone at (030) 90277-2050 or by email at progab@ba-ts.berlin.de; there is also an open walk-in session without appointment on certain weekdays, currently Tuesdays and Thursdays. Together, the counselling and the registration conversation cover health, safety and taxes. The certificate is usually issued immediately, at the latest within five working days. Registration is not possible in the last six weeks before a due date. Opening times change from time to time, so a short call beforehand is worthwhile.
Required Documents for the Registration Certificate
Bring a valid photo ID: passport, travel document or national ID card. Non-EU citizens also show their German residence permit. In addition you need the health counselling certificate (no older than three months), a current address registration or other proof of residence, and one passport photo in 45 × 35 mm format. If you have no fixed residence in Germany, you can give a delivery address, provided the person receiving mail there authorises it in writing; the authority provides a template form. And whether you work independently or through an agency, registration is always a personal duty.
Alias Certificate: Protecting Your Identity in Practice
On request you also receive an alias certificate. It shows a working name instead of your legal name and does not show your home address. During checks or towards third parties, only the protected details need to be shown. The alias certificate is valid for exactly as long as the registration certificate. One of the two certificates must be carried while working.
Validity Periods, Renewals and Nationwide Scope
The registration certificate is valid for two years from age 21, and for one year under 21. To renew, you apply again once that period ends; the office asks for, among other things, ID, your current certificate or proof of address, a passport photo and proof of ongoing health counselling: at least once a year from age 21, at least every six months under 21. The certificate is in principle valid across Germany. Individual states can, however, set different rules on where it applies, and you are meant to register where you mainly work. If you plan to work in several states, check in advance with the responsible authority.
Fees: How Much Does ProstSchG Registration Cost?
In Berlin, registration is free, and so are the alias certificate, renewal and health counselling. In practice the only cost is the passport photo. In other states each state sets its own fees, and they can be higher. After registration, further questions follow: the tax obligations after registration have their own guide, and health insurance for sex workers should be settled early too.
Frequently Asked Questions on ProstSchG Registration
Do I need an appointment to register?
An appointment by phone or email is recommended. There is also an open walk-in session on certain weekdays, usually with longer waiting times.
What applies if I have no fixed residence in Germany?
You can give a delivery address. The person who receives your mail there authorises this in writing; the authority provides the template.
What is the certificate officially called?
Registration certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung), or alias certificate (Aliasbescheinigung) if you request one. In everyday German it sometimes carries a derogatory nickname; that term is not used officially.
Information as of October 2026. Fees, hours and procedures can change; the information of the State of Berlin is authoritative. This article does not replace legal advice.