Health is one of the highest goods for humanity. But what skills and knowledge does an individual need to achieve a lifestyle that promotes health? What could a scientific model of health competence look like? The author presents, for the first time, an empirically investigated model that provides insights into the skills and knowledge encompassed by "health competence," a central concept in health promotion. The focus is on processes of self-regulation. The presented model describes a clearly structured concept that, through its connection with self-determination theory, offers concrete approaches for practice. The model can be of great benefit to stakeholders involved in health, such as in healthcare or workplace health promotion.