Reference checks for hiring in Germany
Unlock secure, non-invasive global checks for your entire team in Germany and beyond.
Checks and features
Secure and compliant German checks
Führungszeugnis
While Germany’s Führungszeugnis can’t be automated, Zinc supports candidates through the request process and uploading a copy of the certificate once they’ve received it.
Dedicated compliance support
Zinc's legal, data security, and compliance team is here to support you on Section 26 BDSG and beyond. Get help understanding complex legislation and restrictions on check scope, at no extra cost.
Centralised reporting
See check progress and dive into country-specific results all from one central dashboard. Zinc also integrates directly with your HR tech stack at no cost to send results directly to your preferred platform.
9.2
/10
11
days
Average criminal check completion
18
days
Average education check completion
Compliance you can trust
Zinc is built with local regulations like GDPR and BDSG in mind, helping you make confident, compliant hiring decisions without checking too much or invading candidate privacy.
Global team, one platform
No more getting lost in translation. Dedicated user groups, custom check packages, and transparent central billing make sure that your entire global team is on the same page.
Seamless automations
From ATS and HRIS integrations to automatic routing based on candidate location, Zinc makes checks smooth for you and your candidates. All our integrations are available at no cost, and 65% of checks return near-instant results.
“We have been using Zinc now for nearly two years and found the system to be reliable and easy to use. Checks are processed quickly and any issues are identified and flagged, particularly where there is any doubt as to the validity of the documents provided.”
Checks that work everywhere you do
Fully visibility, transparent pricing, and adaptable checks for borderless hiring.
Industry-leading global turnaround times
Adaptive checks, not extra admin
Integrated with your HR tech stacking
Truly transparent pricing
Pricing
Built for global teams
Whether you're a growing team or an enterprise hiring across borders, Zinc has a plan for you.
Under 20 hires annually
Pay As You Grow
Get started in minutes. Our Pay As You Grow plan is built for lower hiring volumes — a flat rate per check, with no hidden costs or setup fees.
Start checking in minutes, no setup needed
Flat rates per check, no hidden fees
Pay only for what you check, every month
20+ hires annually
Custom solutions
For larger volumes, our experts build a plan around your needs. Credit is flexible with your hiring and never expires, with integrations, setup, training, and support all included for free.
A custom plan built around your hiring
Credit pool that rolls over and never expires
Integrations, setup, and training included for free
What checks are legally permitted in Germany?
German employers can run employment reference checks and verify education and qualifications. Führungszeugnis (Certificate of Good Conduct) is required for certain roles, but the candidate has to request it personally — no vendor can do this on their behalf. Credit checks are permitted only for roles carrying fiduciary duty or a position of special trust, and every check has to be governed by GDPR and Section 26 BDSG.
What is Section 26 BDSG and why does it matter for screening?
Section 26 BDSG is the section of Germany's Federal Data Protection Act, and it governs how employee data can be processed. It means any data collected during recruitment must be directly and necessarily linked to the employment relationship.
In practice, that rules out broad background searches. Checks have to be proportionate and role-specific. Getting this wrong carries real legal risk, so Zinc's compliance team helps German employers run checks that stay in line with legislation.
Can Zinc automate the Führungszeugnis process?
No, and no vendor can. The certificate has to be requested by the candidate personally from the Bundesjustizamt (Federal Office of Justice), and then they can upload the certificate copy to Zinc once they've received it.
Is Zinc compatible with Works Council requirements in Germany?
Yes. Works Councils (Betriebsräte) hold co-determination rights over any technical system used to monitor employees, and screening software can fall under that. Zinc's compliance team has supported customers through Works Council consultation before, and the general advice is to loop your Works Council in early rather than after a platform's already live.
How does Zinc handle data privacy for German candidates?
Zinc processes German candidate data under GDPR and BDSG, collecting it and storing it in line with Zinc's retention policies. Zinc holds SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 certification to keep candidate data safe once you receive it, and deletes sensitive data from complete checks after 120 days. No matter what, you always need to get candidate consent before running background checks.