Registration (§ 3 bzw. § 12 ProstSchG)

Yes, you are obliged to do so.

Make an appointment by phone or e-mail in your town or city. You are welcome to request that someone is there to translate for you. 

To register, you need to bring the following: 

• two photographs and your identity card or passport
• if you are from a country that is not part of the EU: a valid work permit and your residence permit
• Health counselling certificate that is no older than three months

The staff member will ask you

• for your real name
• whether you would like to have additional certificates under a fictitious name (“alias name”)
• for your registered address in Germany. If you have no registered place of residence of your own in Germany, you will need an address where you can be reached by the authorities (“delivery address”), for example the address of a friend or a counselling centre. He or she must then give you written confirmation that he or she will accept the mail on your behalf. Request the person or counselling centre for such confirmation well in advance of your registration appointment.
• where you would like to work, i.e. whether you would like to offer sex work only in North Rhine-Westphalia or in other federal states, as well
   

At the registration appointment, the staff member will talk to you about laws on prostitution, compulsory health insurance, compulsory taxation, as well as counselling centres and emergency helplines. You can ask any question you want in this session. If you feel uncomfortable or if there is anything you don't understand, please feel free to say so. The staff members are sworn to secrecy, they are not allowed to pass on anything you tell them. 

After the counselling session you will receive a registration certificate. 

Your data will be treated as strictly confidential. 

There is only one exception: Your data will be passed on to the tax office for tax purposes after registration and you will be sent a tax identification number. Your data is also secure with the tax office.

Yes, as a rule, your data must be erased no later than three months after the registration certificate has become invalid. 

The registration certificate contains the following details:

• Passport photograph
• First name and surname and alias name on a second certificate, if you so request
• Date of birth
• Place of birth (not for alias certificate)
• Nationality
• Federal states or locations where you want to work
• Period of validity
• Name of the issuing authority
   

Yes, you are obliged to do so. In any case, you will receive the two certificates with your real name. However, you have the right to receive additional certificates specifying a fictitious name (“alias name”). You can use them to work anonymously and decide for yourself whom to tell your real name and whom not. At work you will then only need to have the alias certificates on you. What name you choose is up to you, any kind of pseudonym is allowed.

Yes, if, for example, your name, place of residence or nationality have changed, you must inform the authorities within 14 days. You will then be issued with a new certificate. 

Yes, namely 

• if you are under 18 years of age
• if you are being forced to work as a prostitute
• if you are pregnant and the birth is expected to be in 6 weeks already
• if you are under 21 years of age and somebody causes you to engage in or continue with prostitution
• if someone takes advantage of your predicament or possibly helpless situation as a foreigner to coerce you to work as a prostitute or to exploit you
   

If you fail an inspection, you can expect a fine of up to 1,000 euros for working without being registered. You may also be liable to prosecution if you work without being registered and therefore fail to pay taxes. It could happen that you are banned from engaging in sex work.

Only the operators of prostitution establishments, the competent authorities and the police may check your registration certificate. No one else has the right to see your certificate. If you suspect someone is lying to you, ask him or her for their official ID. Nobody is permitted to demand money from you during an inspection. If this happens to you and you feel insecure, you may also inform the police at any time.

No, because prostitution is a legal activity.

If you are between 18 and 21 years old, you must have health counselling every 6 months and renew your registration after 12 months. If you are older than 21, you must have health counselling every 12 months and renew your registration every 2 years. 

If you are 21 or older, your registration certificate will be valid for two years. If you are younger, it will be valid for one year.

Then you must apply for a renewal. The procedure is the same as for your initial registration, you will also need health counselling beforehand.

Notify the authority that issued the registration certificate. You will receive a replacement there.

No, your registration certificate is valid for you only and may not be passed on to others.

If you wish, you can de-register with the competent authority. You may also request that your data be erased.

You can also allow your registration to expire automatically if you do not request a renewal. As a rule, your data must be erased no later than three months after the registration certificate has become invalid. 

In North Rhine-Westphalia registering as a prostitute is free.