Electronic Health Records Now Mandatory for German Doctors; Automatic ePA Rollout Continues
Since October 2025, German physicians are required to use electronic patient records (ePA), and health insurers continue automatically creating digital records for all statutory insurance members unless they opt out. The system is expanding nationwide with privacy safeguards for international residents.
Germany's digital healthcare infrastructure has accelerated significantly. As of October 2025, the use of electronic patient records (elektronische Patientenakte, ePA) became legally mandatory for doctors' offices, hospitals, and other care providers—moving beyond the voluntary phase that began in January 2021.
What is the ePA?
The ePA is a centralized digital medical file storing medical findings, doctor's reports, treatment plans, prescriptions, x-rays, and other health documents in one secure location accessible to authorized providers.
Current Status and Rollout
- Since January 2025, statutory health insurers have been automatically creating an ePA for every insured person unless they actively opt out
- The ePA for all (ePA für alle) version 3.0 entered pilot phase in January 2025
- Since April 2025, the ePA has been available nationwide for use by medical practices, hospitals, and pharmacies
- Electronic prescriptions (E-Rezept) have been mandatory since January 2024 and integrate directly into your ePA
- Additional functionality is planned throughout 2026
Privacy and Control
The system remains free of charge. You control which documents go into your ePA and who can access them. You can opt out entirely by notifying your health insurer, though opting out removes the benefits of integrated medical records. Private health insurers also increasingly offer ePA access.
For Expats and Foreign Residents
If you have statutory health insurance (GKV) in Germany, an ePA has likely been created for you automatically. Review your insurance provider's portal or app to see what information is stored, opt in or out, and manage permissions. Check your insurer's website for instructions—most now offer digital access through smartphone apps. The system aims to improve coordination across providers, reduce duplicate testing, and streamline prescriptions, which can be especially valuable if you need to see multiple specialists or have a complex medical history.
Sources
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