Electronic health record (Germany)

The Electronic health record (German: Elektronische Patientenakte or ePA^[1]) was launched on 1 January 2021, for comprehensive digital connectivity within the German healthcare system for patients, between patient and service providers, and between service providers for both hospital settings and primary care.^[2] The intent was to provide provide health care data in a digital form so that it was accessible nationwide for both patients that are statutorily insured as well as practitioners of those patients,^[2] with the patient controlling who can access their data.^[3] As of January 15, 2025, all people with statutory health insurance in Germany are automatically assigned an ePA unless they opt out.^[4] The trial period was undertaken for practitioners in three model regions (Franconia, Hamburg, and parts of North Rhine-Westphali).^[5] Data of the ePA will be made accessible for defined research purposes if insured persons do not explicitly object to them.^[1] According to instructions from the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) to Gematik from mid-April, as of October 1, 2025, it will be mandatory for office-based physicians and hospital doctors in Germany to upload medical health data into existing electronic patient records (ePAs).