How does the electronic health card work?
The electronic health card (eGK) is the digital door opener to the German healthcare system. It not only replaces the classic health insurance card, but also adds intelligent functions — from quick check-in at the doctor's office to access to digital health applications such as E-prescription or the electronic health record.
There is a modern chip inside, on which your insurance data is securely stored. As soon as you present your card at a doctor's office, pharmacy or hospital, this data is automatically read in — quickly, reliably and digitally.
Depending on approval, you can also use voluntary additional functions via the eGK: For example, an emergency data set or your current medication plan. For particularly sensitive applications, such as access to your electronic health records, you also need a personal PIN.
Technically, the whole thing works via the so-called telematics infrastructure: A specially protected digital network that connects medical facilities. In this way, your data is transmitted in encrypted form and is protected against unauthorised access.
Is the electronic health card mandatory?
The electronic health card has long been mandatory for legally insured persons. Without them, access to medical care at health insurance costs is barely possible. Medical practices have also been required to make technical use of the eGK for years: For example, to read insurance data.
From October 1, 2025, the active use of electronic health records (ePA) will also be mandatory for doctors and clinics: They will then have to enter medical information into their patients' records. This applies, for example, to diagnoses, findings or medication data.
By the way: The reason why the EPA obligation only applies from October 1, 2025: Medical practices and clinics need time to set up the necessary technology. In addition, all elements involved — from software to data protection — should be well prepared. A transitional period was therefore laid down in the Act.
Advantages & disadvantages of the electronic health card
The electronic health card is intended to make the healthcare system more digital and efficient: But how well does that work in practice? A look at the most important benefits and challenges shows what eGK is really doing today.
Benefits of eGK
- Faster process in practice: Data such as name, date of birth and insurance status are automatically read in — saving time for everyone involved.
- Access to digital applications: The eGK provides access to e-prescriptions, electronic medication plans and electronic health records.
- Central management of important health data: With the consent of insured persons, relevant medical information can be securely stored and made available quickly in an emergency.
- More control for patients: Who can see which data can be defined individually — including PIN protection.
- Long-term improvement of supply: Better networking between doctors, clinics and pharmacies creates fewer gaps in information.
Disadvantages of eGK
- Privacy concerns: Some people fear that their sensitive health data is not sufficiently protected even though all transmissions are encrypted.
- Technical problems in practice: Not all facilities are equally well equipped. There may be delays, such as when reading the card.
- Complexity for older or less digitally savvy people: Terms such as PIN, ePA or telematics infrastructure are not immediately understandable to everyone.
- Voluntary functions often still little used: Many do not even know that they can voluntarily release additional data, or how to do that.
- Dependence on technology: If the system fails or there is no network, data cannot be retrieved.
- Criticism of the opt-out rule: Health data should be stored as standard in the future, unless you actively object. Some see this as an intervention in informational self-determination, particularly when those affected are not sufficiently informed.
How do we see the whole thing? The Nelly editorial team believes that the eGK is an important step towards more digitality in medical practices. The benefits outweigh — provided that technology and data protection continue to be consistently considered and improved.
What are the functions of the electronic health card?
Some features are already active, others are gradually being introduced or expanded. The following is an overview of the most important functions — both basic and voluntary additional functions:
Basic functions of the eGK (for all insured persons):
- Proof of insurance: The eGK replaces the previous health insurance card and serves as official proof of insurance for visits to doctors.
- Automatic reading of insurance data: When plugged into a reader, the card transmits data such as name, date of birth and insurance status to the doctor's office.
- Updating master data: Changes such as address or name changes are automatically transmitted. Completely without paperwork.
- Secure data connection via the telematics infrastructure (TI): The eGK enables encrypted communication between practices, hospitals, pharmacies and health insurance companies.
Additional features (voluntary and consent-based):
- Emergency data management: On request, important medical information such as allergies, diagnoses or contacts can be saved on the card — helpful in an emergency.
- Electronic medication plan (eMP): The plan helps to keep track of all medications and reduce risks such as interactions.
- E-recipe: The eGK serves as a key to digital recipe transmission. Patients can redeem their prescription directly at the pharmacy, often without a paper printout.
- Access to electronic health records (ePA): With the eGK and a PIN, personal health data such as findings, vaccinations or doctor's letters can be accessed.
How can you redeem a prescription with an electronic health card?
After a doctor's visit, it is often sufficient to present the eGK at the pharmacy. The recipe is then retrieved digitally via the telematics infrastructure.
The process is simple:
- The doctor creates the e-prescription digitally.
- This is stored in encrypted form on a central server.
- The eGK is read in at the pharmacy. In this way, the e-prescription is automatically found and redeemed.
A paper printout is usually no longer necessary. Alternatively, an app can also be used — such as the Gematik e-recipe app.
When and why do I need the PIN for the electronic health card
You only need the PIN for the electronic health card (eGK) if you want to access specially protected digital applications. In particular, this includes electronic health records, which store personal health data such as findings, doctor's letters or vaccinations.
Here you need the PIN:
- When accessing the ePA via smartphone or tablet (e.g. via an EPA app)
- If you want to approve or restrict data in the ePA
- When access to ePA by medical personnel, when you actively control it
You don't need the PIN here:
- When presenting the eGK in medical practices or pharmacies
- When redeeming an e-prescription
What does the electronic health card look like?
The electronic health card is in the format of a normal bank card. The front shows the name, date of birth, insurance number, cash register and (for adults) a photo. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is usually on the back.
There is a microchip inside, which is used when reading in practices or pharmacies. It does not store sensitive health data, only administrative information.
This is what the eGK looks like:
How much does an electronic health card cost?
The electronic health card (eGK) is usually provided to insured persons free of charge by their health insurance company.
However, costs may arise if the card is lost or damaged and the insured person is responsible for it. In such cases, there may be a fee of up to 5 euros to issue a replacement card.
The eGK is valid for a maximum of 5 years. At the end of this period, insured persons will automatically receive a new card without taking action or having to bear additional costs.
Is the electronic health card also available for privately insured persons?
Privately insured persons in Germany do not receive an electronic health card like legally insured persons.
Instead, many private health insurance companies offer their customers their own insurance card, but this is not mandatory. These cards are primarily used for identification and can simplify processes in medical practices and hospitals.
Privately insured persons use alternative methods for digital applications such as e-prescriptions or electronic health records. One example is the so-called online check-in, in which insured persons securely transmit their health insurance number and other master data to the doctor's practice via an app. This makes it possible to use digital health services without a physical card.
For medical practices: The eGK is just the start — with Nelly, a practice becomes truly digital
The eGK brought and is still moving the healthcare sector, but a smooth and truly optimised daily practice requires more than just a card. Providers like Nelly help you to design processes related to patient care and practice marketing efficiently and digitally.
That's possible with Nelly:
Digital processes:
- anamnesis & have forms completed before the appointment
- digital signatures for clarification, Data protection & consents
- Automated reminders and follow-ups via SMS or email
- Manage documents digitally & store them in an audit-proof manner
Payment & administration:
- Send invoices digitally and get paid directly
- Keep an eye on payment status including automatic reminder
- Secured by fee-free installment model & factoring
Practice marketing & reviews:
- Review invitations automatically Ship after the appointment
- Manage feedback directly from the Nelly portal, without public risk
- Positive Google reviews targeted funding
- Ask patients specifically how they became aware of your practice — perfect for local marketing
Start now for free and experience how easy practice digitization is with Nelly.
Common questions
What is an electronic health card?
The electronic health card (eGK) is the successor to the old health insurance card. It contains personal insurance data and serves as an access medium to digital health applications such as e-prescription or ePA. A chip is integrated inside, which is read in when you visit a doctor.
What is the criticism of the electronic health card?
Critics of the electronic health card complain in particular about data protection risks, technical problems in practices and a lack of usability — particularly for older people. The voluntary use of many functions also causes confusion. The benefits are often mitigated by unclear communication.
Current status of the electronic health card?
The eGK is mandatory for legally insured persons and is used as standard in medical practices. From October 2025, the use of digital functions such as the ePA will be mandatory for doctors. Additional functions remain voluntary — but require active consent.
What does the doctor see on the electronic health card?
By default, the doctor only sees administrative data on the electronic health card: name, date of birth, address, insurance status. Medical content such as diagnoses or findings is not stored on the card. Access to further data is only possible with the patient's consent.
How does a patient get an electronic health card?
The card is automatically issued by the statutory health insurance company. The prerequisite is the submission of a current photo. The card is usually sent by post and is immediately ready for use.
What data can the doctor see when reading the electronic health card?
When reading out the electronic health card, the doctor has access to administrative information such as insurance number, status and personal master data. Medical data (e.g. emergency data, EPA content) is only visible if you have actively approved their use.
