All about this insurance: Self-build insurance
What insurance do I need to build a house in Germany?
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Are friends helping to build your house insured in Germany?
In short
Yes, private helpers are covered by statutory accident insurance, but you must register them with the construction trade association (BG BAU) within one week of starting work and pay contributions. In 2026, 100 helper hours cost about EUR 121, with a minimum of EUR 100. You and your spouse or registered partner are not covered by this.
What it costs
Statutory contribution based on BG BAU figures for 2026, private top-up from published tariff information.
| Example | Typical range |
|---|---|
| BG BAU, 100 helper hours | about EUR 121 |
| BG BAU, 200 helper hours | about EUR 243 |
| BG BAU, 500 helper hours | about EUR 607 |
| BG BAU, 1,000 helper hours | about EUR 1,213 |
| Private helper accident insurance per person | about EUR 25 to 65 |
| Private helper accident insurance for the whole build | about EUR 100 to 300 |
BG BAU contributions calculated with EUR 15.82 per hour and 7.6692 percent, as of 2026, minimum EUR 100. Private premiums are publicly quoted ranges; we obtain the exact quote for you.
Worked example
Family home, four helpers on the interior
Two friends, a brother and a neighbour help on twelve weekends with drywall, insulation and flooring.
| Helper hours (4 people, combined) | 380 hours |
| BG BAU contribution (380 × EUR 15.82 × 7.6692 percent) | about EUR 461 |
| Private helper accident insurance, 4 people | about EUR 100 to 260 |
| Your own hours and your partner's | do not count, not covered |
The mandatory part is about EUR 461 to BG BAU. The private top-up is optional and costs about EUR 100 to 260 in total.
The legal duty
If friends, neighbours or relatives work on your own build, German law treats you as a private building contractor for that time. Your helpers are then covered against accidents at work and on the way there, whether you pay them or just buy them dinner.
The cover exists by law even if you forget to register. The duty to register, record hours and pay contributions still stays with you. A private policy does not replace it.
If helpers work a total of no more than 40 hours on one project, the public accident fund is responsible instead of BG BAU. Your own hours and those of your spouse or registered partner do not count.
| Person | Covered by statutory accident insurance? |
|---|---|
| Friends, neighbours, relatives helping | yes, after registration and contribution |
| You as the owner of the project | no, only voluntarily |
| Your spouse or registered partner | no |
| Staff of a contractor you hired | yes, through their employer's trade association |
| A quick favour, such as an hour of carrying | usually not |
What registration costs
For 2026 BG BAU uses a notional wage of EUR 15.82 per helper hour and a contribution rate of 7.6692 percent. Each helper hour therefore costs about EUR 1.21, and the minimum contribution is EUR 100.
You keep a record of the work (Eigenbaunachweis): who worked on which day and for how many hours. The bill comes after the build. If you estimate from memory instead of writing it down, you have no proof when questions come up. The forms are in German, so fill them in as you go.
What statutory cover pays and where it ends
Statutory accident insurance pays for treatment, rehabilitation and, for lasting harm, a pension based on reduced earning capacity. Minor permanent injuries, such as a stiff finger, often lead to no pension at all.
A private helper accident policy pays a lump sum even for minor permanent disability. It adds to statutory cover but does not replace it.
Neither covers damage to your helpers' tools, clothes or cars. And if a helper drops a plank on the neighbour's car, that is a case for builder's liability insurance (Bauherrenhaftpflicht).
When you need neither registration nor extra cover
If only professional firms build, their staff are insured through their employer. If only you and your partner work on the house, there are no helpers to register.
A private helper accident policy is mainly worth it with many helpers, risky work on roofs and scaffolding or long building phases. For two weekends of wallpapering with a friend you can usually skip it.
Step by step
- Before you start, write down who is likely to help.
- Register the project online with BG BAU within one week of starting.
- Record every shift with date, name and hours.
- Check whether your builder's liability policy includes DIY work and up to what value.
- Look into private accident insurance for yourself and your partner.
- Report accidents with more than three days off work to BG BAU straight away.
Checklist
- Project registered with BG BAU
- Record of all helper hours kept
- Builder's liability insurance including DIY work
- Your own and your partner's accident cover sorted
- Scaffolding, fall protection and machines checked before first use
Common mistakes
- Believing unpaid friends do not need to be registered
- Assuming private accident insurance replaces BG BAU registration
- Thinking you are covered because your helpers are
- Estimating hours from memory at the end
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Do I have to register helpers who are not paid?
Yes. The duty applies whether or not helpers are paid. Only short, usual favours between friends are generally exempt.
What happens if I forget to register?
Injured helpers are still covered, but contributions are claimed afterwards. Breaching reporting and safety rules can lead to a fine.
Am I covered as the owner of the project?
Not automatically. You can take out voluntary cover with BG BAU or private accident insurance that includes accidents on your own site.
Is my spouse covered?
No. Spouses and registered partners building with you are not covered, and their hours are not counted.
Does builder's liability insurance pay if a helper is injured?
Statutory accident insurance comes first for the helper's injury. Builder's liability mainly covers damage you or your helpers cause to other people and their property.
Can I deal with BG BAU in English?
The forms and letters are in German. Ask a German speaker or us to help you fill them in correctly.
Sources
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NAMMERT Assekuradeur GmbH, insurance broker licensed under section 34d(1) of the German Trade Regulation Act, broker register no. D-C08Q-TOSD4-37. For boat and yacht insurance we act as underwriting agency, not as broker. Statutory disclosure (German) · Updated
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