Becoming a civil servant (Beamter) in Hesse starts with a declaration on your state of health, and a public health officer (Amtsarzt) can also ask for a health certificate. This guide explains what the guidance from the Frankfurt Higher Regional Court requires, how Beihilfe, the state aid for medical costs, works during training and whom to ask if you are studying to become a teacher.
Short answer: For the preparatory service in Hesse you submit a declaration on your state of health. An (official) medical health certificate may be requested, and its costs are not reimbursed. Beihilfe for trainees is 70 percent for outpatient and dental care and 85 percent for inpatient care. Last updated: April 2026 (guidance of the Frankfurt Higher Regional Court, which applies to trainee lawyers), Beihilfe rates according to the guidance on the Hessian Beihilfe regulation.
The most important points
- Your application includes a declaration on your state of health, which you complete carefully and sign.
- An (official) medical health certificate may be requested, and its costs are not reimbursed.
- The president of the Higher Regional Court Frankfurt am Main decides, and the application goes to the head of the district court where you live.
- Beihilfe for trainees is 70 percent for outpatient and dental care and 85 percent for inpatient care.
- The guidance applies to trainee lawyers, so teachers must ask for their own requirements.
What applies to teaching?
The guidance we found addresses applicants for the legal preparatory service, that is, trainee lawyers. Teacher training has its own responsibilities and forms. Ask the authority responsible for the teacher preparatory service which declaration and which health certificate it requires. Do not transfer the rules to your procedure without checking them.
The declaration on your state of health
You state your health with form HJV 104. The guidance requires you to complete and sign the declaration carefully and truthfully. Inaccurate answers can mean the appointment does not happen or questions come up later. Take your time and answer with the help of your records.
The health certificate and its costs
The guidance mentions an (official) medical health certificate that may be requested. It names no fixed procedure or template. The costs are not reimbursed, so plan for them. Before the appointment, ask whether a particular doctor or the health office is required.
Which Beihilfe applies during training?
According to the guidance, civil servants on revocable terms are entitled to Beihilfe for expenses in case of illness. The rates for trainees who receive trainee pay are set out in the guidance on the Hessian Beihilfe regulation (section 15, status 24 November 2021):
| Service | Beihilfe rate for trainees |
|---|---|
| Outpatient and dental care | 70 percent |
| Inpatient care | 85 percent |
| Marital status | No effect, the rates are uniform |
Hesse has no flat-rate Beihilfe. The state reimburses a share of your invoices, and the remainder stays with you unless an insurance covers it. That makes insurance for the remaining costs especially important during training.
Private or statutory insurance next to Beihilfe
Civil servants entitled to Beihilfe are exempt from statutory health insurance (section 6 para. 1 no. 2 SGB V, in German). A private top-up tends to suit people who are in good health and want to cover the remaining costs.
With pre-existing conditions the picture changes, because the insurer asks about your medical history and may demand surcharges or exclusions. Complete answers are required, or the consequences of section 19 VVG (in German) apply. To compare the options for your case, see how we work (in German).
What if the requirements are not met?
If you do not meet the requirements for appointment on revocable terms, a public-law training relationship may take its place, according to the guidance. Whether it brings Beihilfe depends on how it is designed. Have this confirmed in writing before you sign.
From probation to life tenure
After the appointment on probation, the probation period (Probezeit) follows, and Hesse law sets its length. Life tenure (Lebenszeit) requires proven performance. Beihilfe remains the foundation, but the insurance you take out for it should fit the new phase.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file the application?
With the head of the district court in the district where you have your permanent residence. The president of the Higher Regional Court Frankfurt am Main makes the decision.
Will the costs of the health certificate be reimbursed?
No. The guidance states expressly that the costs are not reimbursed.
Do the 70 and 85 percent rates also apply to teachers?
The rates appear in the guidance on the Hessian Beihilfe regulation for trainees who receive trainee pay. Whether they apply to your procedure, the Beihilfe office confirms in writing.
Does marital status change the Beihilfe?
According to the guidance, no. The rates are uniform regardless of marital status.
What happens if I do not become a civil servant?
A public-law training relationship may follow. Whether and how much Beihilfe it brings depends on its design, so ask in advance.
What you can do now
- Ask the authority responsible for teacher training which declaration and which health certificate it requires.
- Complete the form on your state of health fully and sign it before you submit it.
- Plan for the costs of a possible health certificate, because they are not reimbursed.
- Have the Beihilfe rates for your trainee period confirmed in writing and check which insurance covers the remaining costs.
Related guides
- Civil service in Berlin
- Civil service in Hamburg
- Krankenversicherung im Referendariat (in German)
- Beihilfe im Referendariat (in German)
Sources: Oberlandesgericht Frankfurt am Main, guidance on appointment to the legal preparatory service (status 16 April 2026, in German); guidance on the Hessian Beihilfe regulation, section 15 (status 24 November 2021, 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.
