Wegweiser Patients · Your rights in treatment and when things go wrong Deutsch

🩺 Overview: Your patients' rights

What the treatment contract means and which rights you have as a patient. An introduction with links to all topics.

patients' rights treatment contract 630a specialist standard treating practitioner duties

In brief

When you go to a doctor, you enter into a treatment contract. This applies even without paperwork.

Treatment must follow generally recognised professional standards. This is set out in the law.

You have rights: you must be informed in a way you can understand. You must agree to the treatment. You may view your records. If errors occur, there are ways to get help and compensation.

On this platform you will find a separate page for each topic. The rights apply to treating practitioners in general, for example doctors and hospitals.

Step by step

  1. Know your rightsRead the pages on information and consent and on access to records.
  2. Ask questionsIf something is unclear, keep asking until you have understood it.
  3. Collect documentsKeep medical findings, invoices and forms.
  4. Get helpIf you suspect an error: see the page Recognising treatment errors.

Deadlines

10 years
How long the treatment record must be kept after treatment ends§ 630f Abs. 3 BGB
3 years
Regular limitation period for claims§ 195 BGB
Watch out – common mistakes
  • This guide is information and not legal advice.
  • Deadlines for damages claims are strict. Read the page on limitation periods early.
  • Rights against your health insurer and rights against the doctor are different topics.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

Treatment contract (§ 630a BGB)

Under § 630a BGB, the treating practitioner undertakes to provide "the promised treatment". The patient is obliged to pay "the agreed remuneration", unless a third party is obliged to pay. Treatment must follow "the generally recognised professional standards existing at the time of treatment", unless agreed otherwise.

Applicable law (§ 630b BGB)

Under § 630b BGB, the provisions on contracts for services apply to the treatment relationship, unless §§ 630a ff. provide otherwise. The practitioner therefore owes careful treatment, not a cure.

Patients' rights at a glance

The central provisions are § 630c (duties to inform), § 630d (consent), § 630e (information before treatment), § 630f (documentation), § 630g (access to records) and § 630h (burden of proof). They are explained on the following pages.

Who is responsible
  • Treating practitioners (doctors, hospitals)
  • Health insurer (Krankenkasse)
  • Stiftung Unabhängige Patientenberatung Deutschland (independent patient advice foundation)
Further reading
Information and consentAccess to records and copy of the treatment recordRecognising treatment errors and first steps

Quick questions

Worum geht es bei „Overview: Your patients' rights“?
What the treatment contract means and which rights you have as a patient. An introduction with links to all topics.
Which deadlines and figures matter?
  • 10 years: How long the treatment record must be kept after treatment ends (§ 630f Abs. 3 BGB)
  • 3 years: Regular limitation period for claims (§ 195 BGB)
What should I do first?
  • Know your rights: Read the pages on information and consent and on access to records.
  • Ask questions: If something is unclear, keep asking until you have understood it.
  • Collect documents: Keep medical findings, invoices and forms.
What do I need to watch out for?
  • This guide is information and not legal advice.
  • Deadlines for damages claims are strict. Read the page on limitation periods early.
  • Rights against your health insurer and rights against the doctor are different topics.
Evidence
  • Gesetze im Internet, BGB § 630a and § 630b, retrieved 20 September 2026
  • Gesetze im Internet, BGB §§ 630c to 630h, retrieved 20 September 2026
  • Gesetze im Internet, BGB § 195, retrieved 20 September 2026
As of

September 2026 · Sources and method

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.