Civil Servant Status in Schleswig-Holstein: Medical Exam and Pay

Civil servant status (Verbeamtung) in Schleswig-Holstein begins with a medical examination by a public health doctor (Amtsarzt). This guide explains how the grade A 12 or A 13 shapes your training, how Beihilfe applies and which steps lead to lifetime tenure.

Key points

• Trainee pay at entry grade A 13 is 1,806.53 euros gross according to the dbb (status 1 April 2026, subject to promulgation).
• At entry grade A 12 it is 1,772.84 euros gross, about 33.69 euros a month less.
• As a rule, trainees without children receive a Beihilfe rate of 50 percent (status October 2026).
• Sources disagree on whether Schleswig-Holstein offers lump-sum Beihilfe. Only the state office can give a reliable answer.
• Appointment for life follows after the probationary period (§ 4 Federal Civil Service Act, BeamtStG).

Which grade applies to your teaching degree: A 12 or A 13?

Trainee pay depends on your classification. Entry grade A 13 pays more than A 12. The table shows both values side by side.

Worked example. Assumption: training lasts 24 months and you are classified at A 13 rather than A 12. The monthly difference of 33.69 euros gross then adds up to about 808.56 euros gross over 24 months. Which grade your school type requires is decided by the appointing authority. A comparison with other states is in the guide Trainee pay by federal state (in German).

How does Beihilfe work during training?

If you are entitled to Beihilfe, you are not compulsorily insured in statutory health insurance (§ 6 para. 1 no. 2 SGB V). Beihilfe then reimburses part of your costs, and you cover the rest with a tariff. Details on Beihilfe in Schleswig-Holstein are in the guide Beihilfe in Schleswig-Holstein.

As a rule, trainees without children receive a Beihilfe rate of 50 percent. Whether a different rate applies in your case is decided by the state Beihilfe regulation, particularly where family circumstances are involved.

Is there lump-sum Beihilfe in Schleswig-Holstein?

Sources contradict each other here. One names Schleswig-Holstein as a state with lump-sum Beihilfe, another denies this. A third reports a restricted scheme for certain groups since 2024. The state website could not be accessed at the time of research. We therefore do not state a rule we cannot verify.

Before you decide, ask the appointing authority whether you have a choice, by when you must decide and what that means for your health insurance.

How does the medical examination proceed?

The public health doctor assesses whether you can practise the profession in the long term. The assessment is based on your details and documents. Which documents are required and how the report reaches the employer depends on the procedure.

1. The appointing authority sends you the questionnaire and instructions for the examination.
2. You collect discharge letters and test results, especially for conditions of recent years.
3. The public health doctor examines you and writes the report.
4. The employer decides on the appointment based on that report.

What do probation and lifetime tenure mean?

Probationary civil servant status during training (Beamtenverhältnis auf Widerruf) accompanies the training period. Probationary status (Beamtenverhältnis auf Probe) serves a probationary period, at the end of which the employer decides on the takeover. Appointment for life follows afterwards (§ 4 BeamtStG). State law sets the length of the probationary period, not this guide.

Does civil servant status fit you in Schleswig-Holstein?

Civil servant status brings planning security and access to Beihilfe, but it requires a fitness check and ties you to state law. Weigh it carefully especially if you may move to another federal state later.

• Often a good fit if your health is unremarkable and you intend to stay in Schleswig-Holstein long term.
• Less suitable if existing conditions could affect acceptance by private insurers.
• Less suitable if you may move to another state without a fixed plan, since its rules can differ.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to see a public health doctor in Schleswig-Holstein even if I already teach?

That depends on the procedure. As a rule, fitness is checked before appointment. Whether the status is checked again on a change is for the appointing authority to clarify.

Is A 13 always the better option?

Classification depends on the school type and is not a free choice. The higher pay is an advantage during training, but it says nothing about Beihilfe or tariffs.

Which figures are binding?

Only the official texts are binding. The dbb pay table is a reproduction subject to promulgation. The comparison with the official gazette is still outstanding.

What if I am not taken on after the probationary period?

Takeover is a decision of the employer after the probationary period ends. The grounds and deadlines are set by state law. The responsible office can clarify any uncertainty.

What to do next

1. Have the classification at A 12 or A 13 confirmed in writing.
2. Ask about the current status of lump-sum Beihilfe and any deadline for a choice.
3. Calculate your health insurance with the actual contributions before you commit.
4. Assemble the documents for the medical examination early.

Related guides

• Teacher training in Schleswig-Holstein 2026/27
• Legal traineeship in Schleswig-Holstein
• Beihilfe in Schleswig-Holstein
• Health insurance during training (in German)
• Trainee pay by federal state (in German)

Sources: Federal Civil Service Act (BeamtStG), § 4 (retrieved October 2026); Social Code Book V (SGB V), § 6 (retrieved October 2026); dbb, Schleswig-Holstein pay table (status April 2026, subject to promulgation).

Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.