Entrepreneurs, if you are in the business of installing heat pumps, whether for private individuals or industrial facilities, and are considering entering the German market with your services, be sure to read our latest article. You will find out which requirements you need to meet and which regulations you need to pay attention to in order to provide your business with a secure foundation for growth in the German market.
Who can install heat pumps in Germany?
The answer to the above question is somewhat perverse and is - anyone. Anyone can install a heat pump for their own needs in Germany. In practice, however, this is, of course, mostly carried out by professional plumbing, heating and sanitary installation companies, as well as electrical companies with qualified electricians. In Germany, heat pump installation is also carried out by certified, narrowly specialised heat pump installers. The certified heat pump installer course covers the dimensioning of heat pumps and other heat sources, the environmental impact of heat pumps, as well as the installation, commissioning and maintenance of heat pumps. However, it is not necessary to complete such a course in order to perform the installation of pumps.
Necessary entitlements - Polish or German?
When considering the necessary certification required to install heat pumps in Germany, attention should first be paid to European certification, which allows heat pump installation work to be carried out throughout Europe. In order to obtain the European EUCERT certificate, one must complete a special training course, document professional experience and pass an examination organised by the European Training and Certification Scheme for Heat Pump Installers. The certificate is valid for a period of three years. The training courses and examinations are organised by the Polish Heat Pump Technology Development Organisation.
A typical German qualification held by heat pump installers is usually a so-called Ausbildung in the field of sanitary, heating and air conditioning installation. This qualification can be obtained, for example, by taking a course at a trade association. Heat pump fitters in Germany are often also qualified as electronics technicians. Those trained in this field deal with, among other things, photovoltaic systems, connection and distribution systems, networks, as well as heat pumps and lighting systems. Information on vacancies for those wishing to train as electrical engineers can be obtained from the websites of the relevant German regional chambers of crafts. For the installation of heat pumps operating with so-called f-gases, additional qualifications are required - completion of an Ausbildung as a refrigeration installer (Kälteanlagenbauer), as a mechatronics technician for refrigeration technology (Mechatroniker für Kältetechnik), as a state-certified technician specialising in refrigeration technology (Techniker der Fachrichtung Kälteanlagentechnik) or as an engineer following a course of study in which the basics of refrigeration technology were taught.
Qualifications and certificates obtained in Poland, both for the qualification required for the installation of heat pumps and for working with f-gas equipment, are inextricably linked to the issue of their recognition in Germany (Anerkennung). The procedure for the recognition of foreign qualifications is carried out by the competent German authority, which compares the professional qualification held with a German professional qualification, also taking into account professional experience and other qualifications. There are some professions for which recognition is necessary (regulated professions) - these include electronics technician (Elektorniker) or refrigeration installer (Kälteanlagenbauer). On the other hand, recognition for professions other than regulated professions is voluntary - but allows you to obtain an official German-language document that can be used against German contractors.
For professional qualifications held by third-country nationals, it is generally necessary to obtain recognition of professional qualifications for all professions. The recognition procedure should be requested while still in the country of origin. In addition, attention should be drawn to other obligations to be fulfilled in connection with the exercise of work by third-country nationals on German territory, such as those related to obtaining the necessary visa.
Certificate for a company - is a licence necessary?
Companies that carry out installation, repair, maintenance, servicing and decommissioning work on heat pumps in Germany must obtain the relevant German certificate, the so-called Unternehmenszertifikat. The certificate can be obtained by a company after submitting a set of necessary documents to the relevant authority. In addition, the company must demonstrate that it has an adequate number of employees in relation to the planned scope of activities. Furthermore, it must be shown that the employees have the necessary qualifications - as already mentioned above. It must also be shown that the employees have access to the necessary work tools and are familiar with the relevant procedures.
Company certificates issued in another EU Member State or in another state party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area are considered equivalent if they are analogous in terms of the scope of certification to the German certificate. In order to have a foreign certificate recognised, it is necessary to submit a certified copy of the certificate and a sworn translation into German to the German authority.
The cost of certifying a company ranges from €100 to €700.
Obligations of the entrepreneur relating to professional membership
To conclude, it is impossible not to mention briefly the employer's obligations that will result from the qualification of his company to a specific industry. In the case of companies engaged exclusively in the installation of heat pumps, there are primarily two industries involved - the electrical engineering industry and the construction industry. Which industry a company will belong to depends on the individual case and the nature of the work carried out within the company. Certain sectoral agreements must always be taken into account, which regulate, for example, the minimum wage that an entrepreneur is obliged to pay its employees when they work in Germany. In addition, each industry is governed by different rules - for example, within the construction industry, additional tax and additional social security contributions must be paid to employees.
It should be noted that the entrepreneur's obligations with regard to the installation of heat pumps will also depend on the legal form in which he wishes to operate in Germany and with which employees he wishes to carry out the installation of heat pumps. Different requirements will apply to an entrepreneur who only sends employees to the territory of Germany to perform the installation work, and different obligations will apply to an entrepreneur who decides to set up, for example, a German limited liability company in Germany.
As an entrepreneur, if you find it challenging to find your way through the maze of industry-specific regulations and are unsure of what you need to do to enter the German market with your business, please do not hesitate to contact us - we will be happy to talk to you about new opportunities and perspectives for your business.
