Do I have to disclose my criminal record in a job interview?

Only for relevant convictions related to the position. BDSG Section 26 and AGG Section 3 protect against excessive data intrusions. The rule of thumb under German law: you only need to disclose convictions if they are relevant to the specific position (e.g. fraud conviction for an accounting role, assault conviction for a security role). For non-relevant convictions, you may remain silent or answer untruthfully without consequences. Expunged convictions (deleted from the Federal Central Register) never need to be disclosed. Exceptions: public sector and security-sensitive positions often require an extended clearance certificate and broader disclosure obligations. Recommendation: when in doubt, seek legal advice before disclosing anything.