You require a permit in accordance with the Infection Protection Act if you are the person responsible for

• import pathogens into Germany,
• export them from Germany,
• store them,
• dispense them or
• want to work with them.

The following are considered pathogens

• viruses,
• bacteria,
• fungi,
• parasites and
• other agents that can cause an infection or transmissible disease in humans.

Activities involving pathogens include in particular

• Tests with pathogens capable of reproduction,
• microbiological and serological tests to identify reportable pathogens using procedures for the targeted enrichment or multiplication of pathogens;

Certain activities or persons who carry out microbiological tests for diagnostic purposes for the direct treatment of their own patients are exempt from the licensing requirement. These include

• Doctors,
• dentists and
• veterinarians;
• Persons who
  • carry out microbiological quality assurance work and
  • have the necessary expertise and
  • the competent authority exempts them from the permit requirement upon request;
• Employees who
  • work under the supervision of a person who has a permit or is exempt from the permit requirement;
• certain procedures, for example sterility tests;

If you belong to one of the above-mentioned groups, please contact the authority responsible for you before starting work. You must register your activity there.