Moving from the UK to Germany: your child's vaccinations
The UK and German schedules protect against mostly the same diseases, including MenB for babies. The main differences: Germany has a legal measles requirement for Kita and school, gives chickenpox vaccine to all young children, and has no yearly flu vaccine for healthy children. Here's what to sort out.
The rule you can't skip: measles proof (Masernschutzgesetz)
- Children in a Kita, Hort, childminder care or school must show proof of measles protection.
- From age 1: at least one measles vaccination. From age 2: at least two.
- Proof can be the vaccination record, a doctor's certificate, or a blood test showing immunity.
- UK children born on or before 30 June 2024 had their second MMR (or MMRV) dose at 3 years 4 months. A 2- or 3-year-old in that group often has only one dose and needs the second before starting Kita. Germany allows the second dose as early as 4 weeks after the first.
- UK children born from 1 July 2024 get their second dose at 18 months, so by age 2 they usually have both.
Key differences at a glance
| UK (NHS) | Germany (STIKO) | |
|---|---|---|
| 6-in-1 | 8, 12 and 16 weeks, plus 18 months for children born from July 2024 | 2, 4 and 11 months |
| Pneumococcal | 16 weeks and 1 year | 2, 4 and 11 months |
| Meningococcal B | 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 1 year | 2, 4 and 12 months |
| MMR / chickenpox | Depends on birth date (see below) | MMR and chickenpox at 11 and 15 months |
| Flu | Nasal spray every year from age 2 | Only for children with certain health conditions |
| Pre-school booster | Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio at 3 years 4 months | Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough at 5 to 6 years |
| Teen boosters | Tetanus, diphtheria, polio at 14 | Tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, polio at 9 to 16 |
| MenACWY | 14 years | 12 to 14 years |
| HPV | One dose at 12 to 13 | 2 doses at 9 to 14 |
Which UK schedule your child had
The UK changed its schedule in July 2025 and January 2026, so what your child already has depends on their date of birth:
- Born on or after 1 January 2025: MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox) at 1 year and 18 months, 6-in-1 booster at 18 months.
- Born 1 July to 31 December 2024: MMR at 1 year, then 6-in-1 booster and MMRV at 18 months.
- Born on or before 30 June 2024: Hib/MenC and MMR at 1 year, no 18-month appointment, and MMRV with the pre-school booster at 3 years 4 months. Older children in this group had MMR at 3 years 4 months instead, without chickenpox protection.
What your child may need after the move
- Second measles dose before Kita, if your child is 2 or older and has only had one (see above).
- Chickenpox. Germany gives two doses to all young children. If your child had MMR rather than MMRV in the UK, ask your Kinderarzt whether they need chickenpox doses.
- MenB: your child likely had it in the UK. Bring the record; there's usually nothing extra to do.
- Different timings for the 6-in-1, pneumococcal, pre-school and teen boosters. Your Kinderarzt compares the UK doses with the STIKO schedule and decides whether anything is missing.
- Flu: Germany doesn't offer the yearly flu vaccine to healthy children.
What happens to UK records
- Bring the red book (Personal Child Health Record) and ask your GP practice for a printout of your child's vaccination history before you leave.
- Your paediatrician (Kinderarzt) can enter the UK doses into a German vaccination record (Impfpass).
- In Germany, only documented vaccinations count. If a dose can't be shown, the doctor will usually give it again. STIKO considers a possible extra dose acceptable for reliable protection.
How VaxFile helps
Add your child's UK doses (or scan the red book), then switch the country to Germany. VaxFile shows what's still due on the German schedule, and you can export a PDF for the Kinderarzt or the Kita.
Sources: BIÖG/BZgA, Masernschutzgesetz FAQ · RKI, MMR FAQ · RKI, general vaccination FAQ · RKI, STIKO Impfkalender 2026 · UKHSA, complete routine immunisation schedule
This page compares the UK schedule with the German STIKO schedule, for information only. It isn't medical advice. Your Kinderarzt decides which vaccines your child needs.
Last checked against the official sources: 8 October 2026.