📁 Access to records and copy of the treatment record
In brief
You have the right to see your treatment record. This applies to the complete record.
You can ask for copies. The first copy must be free of charge.
Access must be granted without undue delay. It can be refused only for significant therapeutic reasons or the rights of third parties. The reasons must then be stated.
Doctors must keep the record for ten years after treatment ends.
Step by step
- Ask in writingAsk the practice or clinic in writing for access and a copy.
- Demand completenessAsk for the whole record, including findings and images.
- Note receiptNote the date of your request and of the reply.
- If refusedAsk for the reasons and get advice.
Deadlines
- Refusal is permitted only for significant therapeutic reasons or significant rights of third parties and must be justified.
- Missing documentation of important measures can work in your favour (see burden of proof).
- After a patient's death, heirs and close relatives have limited rights and bear the costs (§ 630g Abs. 3 BGB); the patient's wishes may stand in the way.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals
Duty to document (§ 630f BGB)
The treating practitioner is obliged to "keep a treatment record, on paper or electronically, in direct temporal connection with the treatment". Corrections and changes must remain recognisable. All measures and results that are essential from a professional point of view for current and future treatment must be recorded, in particular medical history, diagnoses, examinations, therapies and consents. The record must be kept for ten years after treatment ends, unless other provisions set longer periods.
Access to the treatment record (§ 630g BGB)
Since 6 February 2026 (Act of 3 February 2026, BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 28), the law says "treatment record" (Behandlungsakte) instead of "patient file" (Patientenakte); § 630g is divided into four paragraphs. On request, the patient must be granted access without undue delay to the complete treatment record concerning them. They can request electronic copies; the first copy is free of charge. Access can be refused only to the extent that significant therapeutic reasons or other significant rights of third parties stand in the way; the refusal must be justified.
After death, and data protection
After the patient's death, the rights to safeguard financial interests belong to the heirs, and the rights to safeguard non-material interests to the closest relatives; they are excluded to the extent that access contradicts the patient's express or presumed wishes. Under § 630g Abs. 3 BGB, heirs and relatives who request access or copies bear the costs. Under Abs. 4, claims under data protection law remain unaffected; a free-of-charge data protection access request is credited against the claim to the first copy.
A question about your situation that this page does not answer? Write to us or use the contact form – we will tell you which office is responsible and what to bring. Free of charge, without individual legal advice.