Registering health care proxies and advance care directives in the central register of health care proxies
A health care proxy and/or care directive can only be effective if it can be found in an emergency.
In an emergency, the registered details can be retrieved by care courts around the clock via secure online access. If an emergency situation arises very suddenly and you are no longer able to make a statement, the care court can clarify whether there is a power of attorney or a care directive and - if you have provided details - where the document is kept. This can prevent legal guardianship from being ordered.
You can register the following data electronically in the Central Register of Lasting Powers of Attorney of the Federal Chamber of Notaries:
- Data of the principal or the person making the power of attorney
- Data of the authorized representative or the proposed guardian
- Date on which the deed was drawn up
- Storage location of the document
- Details of the purpose for which the power of attorney was granted or the care directive was drawn up
- Information on special instructions and wishes, including whether a living will has also been drawn up
Please note that the Central Register of Lasting Powers of Attorney does not keep the document (not even a copy) containing the power of attorney or the advance care directive.
When you make a new entry, you will receive a personal ZVR card in addition to the registration confirmation. On this card, you can note the name of the principal as well as the names and telephone numbers of up to two trusted persons.
You can change, add to or delete entries in the Central Register of Lasting Powers of Attorney at any time.
Institutional users of the register (e.g. notaries, lawyers, care associations or care authorities registered with the Central Register of Lasting Powers of Attorney) are subject to special conditions for registration with the Central Register of Lasting Powers of Attorney. For example, if you have had your power of attorney and/or care directive notarized by a notary, they can also register it. The notary will not receive any fees for the registration and will only charge you the lower registration fee in addition to the notarization fee.
Which documents are required?
- Data form for private individuals
- For several authorized representatives or proposed guardians: Additional sheet for authorized representatives/guardians for private individuals
Requirements
You must have drawn up a health care proxy or a care directive.
What are the fees?
For registration by a private applicant
- EUR 13.00 - 18.50 for the registration of the first authorized representative
- EUR 2.50 - 3.00 for each additional authorized representative
For registration by notaries, lawyers, guardianship associations and authorities
- EUR 8.50 - 16.00 for the registration of the first authorized representative
- EUR 2.50 - 3.00 for each additional authorized representative
Process flow
You can apply for registration in the Central Register of Pensioners yourself online or in writing.
If you would like to apply for registration online:
- Go to the website of the Central Register of Lasting Powers of Attorney and follow the instructions.
- After you have submitted the online application for registration, the Central Pension Register will send you a data control sheet and an invoice. You can see the data to be entered on the data control sheet and make any necessary corrections.
- Once you have paid the applicable fee, your power of attorney or care directive will be registered in the Central Register of Lasting Powers of Attorney and the competent guardianship court can inspect it.
- At the end of the procedure, you will receive a confirmation of registration and the ZVR card.
If you would like to apply for registration in writing:
- Download the form for private individuals online and print it out.
- Fill in the form, add the supplementary form if required and send the application documents to the Central Register of Lasting Powers of Attorney
- After you have submitted the written application for registration, the Central Pension Register will send you a data control sheet and an invoice. You can see the data to be entered on the data control sheet and make any necessary corrections.
- Once you have paid the applicable fee, your power of attorney or care directive will be registered in the Central Register of Lasting Powers of Attorney and the competent guardianship court will be able to inspect it.
- At the end of the procedure, you will receive a confirmation of registration and the ZVR card.
Note: If you have the power of attorney or advance care directive notarized or certified by a notary, they can arrange for it to be registered in the Central Register of Lasting Powers of Attorney on your behalf. The same applies if you draw up the power of attorney or care directive with the assistance of a lawyer, care association or care authority that is registered with the Central Register of Lasting Powers of Attorney as a so-called institutional user.
Processing duration
For online applications: 1 month
For written applications: 1-3 working days
What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?
none
Applications / forms
Forms: Data form for private individuals
Online procedure possible: yes
Written form required:
- for paper application: yes
- for online procedure: no
Personal appearance required: no
