Germany to make electronic patient record mandatory in 2026

Germany will require the electronic patient record (ePA) for all statutory health‑insured citizens starting in 2026. The system, which has been in test phases since 2025, will shift from a voluntary opt‑out model to a compulsory framework, with healthcare providers obligated to integrate the platform and sanctions planned for non‑compliance. The government argues the rollout will streamline the exchange of medical data, cut unnecessary diagnostics, reduce medication errors and lower costs for insurers.

The AfD parliamentary group has lodged a formal request for stricter privacy safeguards. It proposes a separate, highly protected section for especially sensitive diagnoses such as depression, HIV, substance‑use disorders, abortion and eating disorders, and calls for an opt‑in consent model rather than the current default enrollment. The party also seeks a regularly updated list of protected conditions and technical measures to keep them out of unauthorized hands.