Becoming a civil servant (Beamter) in Bremen can include a suitability examination by the public health officer (Amtsärztlicher Dienst). The core of it is a questionnaire that asks about treatments, medication and hospital stays within fixed periods. This guide explains what the Bremen health office asks for, which periods apply and what to expect for Beihilfe during your training.
Short answer: The suitability examination for civil service in Bremen is carried out by the public health officer service of the Bremen health office. You complete a questionnaire with look-back periods from one to ten years, for example for medication (last year) or hospital stays (last ten years). Last updated: October 2026. Source: information sheet of the Bremen health office (date from the file name: 23.10.2024).
The most important points
- The suitability examination takes place with the public health officer service of the Bremen health office.
- The questionnaire covers medication, sick days, hospital stays and pensions paid for health reasons.
- The look-back periods range from one year for medication to ten years for hospital stays and addiction-related care.
- Data is generally stored for ten years and at the latest until you turn 70.
- The sources contradict each other on Beihilfe during training, so clarify it with the Beihilfe office.
Who examines you in Bremen?
The examination is carried out by the public health officer service of the Bremen health office. You also complete a questionnaire and may add further medical records. If you release your treating doctors from confidentiality, they may give the service information. If needed, the service requests additional expert reports, for example a psychotherapeutic or orthopaedic one.
| Document | When it is needed |
|---|---|
| Questionnaire of the public health officer service | Always, it is sent to the service |
| Medical records and proof | Where applicable |
| Statements from treating doctors | Only with a release from confidentiality |
| Additional expert reports | Where applicable, for example psychotherapeutic or orthopaedic |
The look-back periods in the questionnaire
The questionnaire does not ask indefinitely. The periods are set out in the health office information sheet and are counted from the date you complete the form.
| Item | Period asked about |
|---|---|
| Medication | Last year |
| Sleeping or sedative medication, psychotropic drugs | Last 5 years |
| Narcotics or drugs, counselling or treatment for addiction-related problems | Last 10 years |
| More than 10 working days of continuous sickness | Last 5 years |
| X-ray, CT or MRI | Last 5 years |
| Hospital stay or rehabilitation | Last 10 years |
Events outside these periods are not covered by the questionnaire. If you are unsure whether an event falls within a period, ask the health office before you sign.
Storage and data protection
The health office generally stores the data for ten years and at the latest until you turn 70. If the person dies, the data is kept for up to two years afterwards. If you want to know what is stored about you, ask the health office.
Beihilfe in Bremen: the sources disagree
For the trainee period in Bremen, two sources give different information. A secondary source (covago.de, status October 2026) describes a tiered model in which 50 percent applies only to single persons. The advice portal deutsche-beamtenversorgung.de (status October 2026) instead reports a flat-rate Beihilfe since 2020. We found no primary document on this, so we give no figure. The Beihilfe office decides which model applies to you.
Health insurance: what fits when
Civil servants entitled to Beihilfe are exempt from statutory health insurance (section 6 para. 1 no. 2 SGB V, in German). Beihilfe covers only part of your costs, so you need a top-up.
A private health insurance suits you if you can answer the questionnaire without major findings. If you have medication, hospital stays or findings within the periods above, the insurer asks its own questions, which can lead to surcharges or exclusions. Your application must be complete, or section 19 VVG (in German) applies.
If you want to work through your own case, Academycon offers a personal consultation. See how we work (in German).
What if the public health officer has concerns?
Then the appointment may fail. The service checks whether the health requirements for the post you applied for are met. Whether an alternative exists depends on the procedure. Ask the hiring office in advance which route it takes in such cases.
From probation to life tenure
After the appointment on probation, the probation period (Probezeit) runs, and its length follows Bremen law. Life tenure (Lebenszeit) requires proven performance. Plan Beihilfe and insurance for this phase deliberately, because the trainee arrangement ends with the transition.
Frequently asked questions
What do I have to state in the questionnaire?
Medication, sick days, hospital stays and pensions paid for health reasons, each within the periods named. The answers relate to the period in which the questions apply.
How long is my data stored?
Generally ten years, and at the latest until you turn 70. If the person dies, the data is kept for up to two years afterwards.
Do I always have to submit an additional report?
No. Additional expert reports are requested where applicable, for example psychotherapeutic or orthopaedic. Whether that happens depends on your answers in the questionnaire.
Which Beihilfe applies in Bremen?
The sources contradict each other, as described above. Have the Beihilfe office confirm it in writing before you choose an insurance.
What you can do now
- Read the questionnaire and check each period against your records.
- Gather your findings and clarify whether you need to release treating doctors from confidentiality.
- Ask the hiring office whether an additional report is likely.
- Have the Beihilfe rules for the trainee period confirmed in writing before you take out health insurance.
Related guides
- Civil service in Berlin
- Civil service in Brandenburg
- Krankenversicherung im Referendariat (in German)
- Civil service in Bavaria
Sources: Bremen health office, information sheet on the suitability examination (date from file name 23.10.2024, accessed October 2026, in German); covago.de, Beihilfe for trainees by state (secondary source, status October 2026, in German); Gesetze im Internet, section 6 SGB V (accessed October 2026, in German); Gesetze im Internet, section 19 VVG (accessed October 2026, in German).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
