Obligation to register for prostitutes (Anmeldepflicht)
Since 1 July 2017, it has been mandatory for prostitutes to personally register their work. Anyone just starting out may only start work once they have registered. Anyone who worked as a prostitute in Germany before 1 July 2017 must register no later than 31 December 2017. This obligation to register applies to all persons providing sexual services.
When they register, prostitutes are provided with information about their rights and obligations as well as on health and social advisory services and on how to access help in an emergency.
The informational and advisory interview during registration has a similar function. The interview will take place in a confidential setting. The interview will be held in a language that the person being advised understands. The public authority may appoint an interpreter for this purpose. Other persons may be present only if the registration authority and the person being advised agree.
The public authority in the place you wish to work most of the time is responsible for registration. To find out which public authority is responsible, please get in touch with the citizens’ centre (Bürgerbüro), the health office (Gesundheitsamt), or consult the website of the relevant city or administrative district. If you wish to work as a prostitute in several cities or federal states, then this must be declared when you register. The places will be entered into the registration certificate. Any new locations added later will also have to be entered into the certificate. If, however, you do work in a different location on a particular occasion without having planned to do so, then it is not necessary to add this to the certificate afterwards.
When they register, prostitutes are provided with information about their rights and obligations, advisory services, and how to access help in an emergency.