Take advantage of early detection screening for children and young people
In Baden-Württemberg, as a parent or guardian, you are required to have your child examined by a doctor on ten occasions.
U1: immediately after the birth
U2: between the 3rd and 10th day of life
U3: between the 4th and 5th week of life
U4: between the 3rd and 4th month of life
U5: between the 6th and 7th month of life
U6: at 1 year of age, from the 10th to the 12th month of life
U7: at 2 years of age, from the 21st to the 24th month of life
U7a: at 3 years of age, from the 34th to the 36th month of life
U8: at 4 years of age (from the 46th to the 48th month of life)
U9: at 5 years of age (from the 60th to the 64th month of life)
The introduction of a new U10 (ages 9–10) is being planned; in August 2026, the Joint Federal Committee decided to introduce this new check-up as a service covered by statutory health insurance.
Participation in the check-ups is compulsory, regardless of how the parents and child are insured. This is regulated by the Baden-Württemberg Child Protection Act.
The aim of the check-ups is the early detection of illnesses, developmental disorders and disabilities that could jeopardise the child’s normal physical, emotional or mental development. This enables therapies or support measures to be initiated in good time. In addition, you are entitled to the adolescent health check-up (J1).
The adolescent health check-up (J1) also covers topics such as puberty, sexuality, contraception, academic development and health-risk behaviours, such as alcohol, smoking and drugs. The check-up offers young people the opportunity – often for the first time without their parents present – to have their questions about health and psychosocial issues answered.
Responsible authority
- a paediatrician’s surgery of your choice
- a GP practice of your choice
- an internal medicine practice of your choice offering GP care
- for any outstanding check-ups: the public health authorities
Details
Prerequisite
You and your child live in Germany.
Procedure
If you give birth in a hospital, the hospital will automatically carry out the U1 and U2 check-ups.
If you have a home birth, an outpatient delivery or leave hospital early, you will need to arrange these check-ups yourself. A paediatrician will carry out these check-ups. Please ensure they are carried out on time!
The scheduled dates for the check-ups are noted in the child health record booklet. You will receive the yellow child health record booklet, complete with a participation card, during one of your first check-ups at the hospital or from your paediatrician. All check-up results are recorded in this booklet. Keep the child health record book in a safe place and bring it with you to every check-up. At the pre-school medical examination, you must provide proof that your child has attended the early detection check-ups.
You must present your health insurance card or a treatment card for the check-ups.
Important: If you have missed a check-up and the next scheduled early detection check-up cannot take place for another month or later, you must arrange to have it carried out at a later date.
Deadlines
You will find the scheduled appointments in the child health record booklet.
Required documents
- Insurance card
- Vaccination booklet
- Yellow health check booklet
- Participation card
Costs
- U1 to U9 check-ups (including U7a) and J1: no cost for those with statutory health insurance
- Additional early detection check-ups U10 and U11, as well as J2: Parents of children covered by statutory health insurance must pay for these check-ups themselves. The relevant health insurance fund may reimburse part of the costs.
Miscellaneous
As part of the routine health check-ups, vaccination advice is also provided and, where necessary, vaccinations are administered.
The German Association of Paediatricians (BVKJ) recommends further early detection check-ups for children and young people (U10, U11, J2) as individual health services. You will receive a separate check-up booklet for these.
Detailed information
- "Früherkennung von Krankheiten bei Kindern" on the website of the Joint Committee of Health Insurance Funds
- Portal "www.kindergesundheit-info.de" the Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA)
Legal basis
- Richtlinie des Gemeinsamen Bundesausschusses zur Jugendgesundheitsuntersuchung
- Kinderschutzgesetz Baden-Württemberg
Release note
machine generated, based on the German release by: Sozialministerium Baden-Württemberg, 01.10.2026