Aim: The estimated direct and indirect costs of occupational skin disorders are frequently outdated. The aim of the present study is to present updated, epidemiologically grounded data for occupational skin d isorders to underline their socioeconomic relevance. Material and Methods: In the present study direct and indirect costs of occupational skin disorders were studied using epidemiological and statistical data from 2002. The methods used were the human capital method and the friction cost method. Results: In 2002, occupational skin disorders caused in 2002 between € 618,000,000 and € 1,920,000,000 total costs. The percentage of indirect costs ranged between 74 % and 94 %. Conclusions: Prevention, medical treatment and rehabilitation of occupational skin disorders should be further developed in order to reduce the economic, psychological and physical burden of insured persons, the health care system and society.