Germany to Launch Electronic Health Records for Insured Patients in 2025

The electronic patient file system aims to centralize medical records digitally, with options for users to opt out or customize access settings.

The electronic patient file (ePA) will be introduced in January 2025 for insured individuals in select regions, expanding nationwide by February.
The ePA will store medical documents such as doctor’s notes, lab results, and hospital discharge summaries in a single digital location.
Patients can manage access permissions, ensuring specific healthcare providers see only relevant information, and can upload older documents themselves or request digitization from their insurer.
Accessing the ePA requires a specialized app or browser tool, an NFC-enabled health card, a PIN, and compatible devices, with support available for those needing assistance.
While data security measures are robust, concerns remain about potential vulnerabilities, though insurers and healthcare providers cannot access the data without patient consent.