Applying for an electronic health card for people with statutory health insurance

As a new member of a statutory health insurance company, you will usually receive your new eGK automatically.

• Your health insurance company will contact you in advance and ask you for an up-to-date passport photo.
• There are usually several ways to send your passport photo to the health insurance company: online, by post or, in the case of many health insurance companies, in person at the office.
  • Please wait for the letter from your health insurance company. Until then, you don't have to take any action yourself.
  • Once you have submitted your photo, the subsequent card production may take some time.

If you have been insured with your health insurance company for some time and need a new eGK, request the card directly from your health insurance company. This is the case, for example, if

• Your card is defective or
• has been lost.

You can request a new eGK from your statutory health insurance company. To protect your data, the requirement differs depending on the health insurance company. You can find out what options you have from your health insurance company. You can request the eGK from many health insurance companies in person at the office. It is often also possible to apply via the online portal of the health insurance company, by letter or by telephone.

• Inform your health insurance company and attach the required documents.
• The health insurance company will review your application.
• You will receive the new eGK by post.

If your address changes, you usually don't need to apply for a new card. Inform your health insurance company. This changes your stored address data, which will then be automatically updated on the eGK at your next visit to the doctor.
 

You are entitled to an eGK if you are a member of a statutory health insurance company.

• current passport photo
  • There are exceptions for children and young people under the age of 15. In addition, for insured persons who are unable to participate in the creation of the passport photo, such as people in need of care.
• If applicable, proof of your name change (e.g. identity card, marriage certificate)

Depending on the special case, additional documents may be required. Please contact your statutory health insurance company for more information.
 

As a rule, the health insurance company will issue you with an eGK free of charge. The statutory health insurance companies may charge EUR 5 if you are responsible for the loss or damage yourself.

• As a member of a statutory health insurance company, you do not have to meet a deadline.
• Your eGK is valid for a maximum of 5 years. At the end of this period, your health insurance company will automatically send you a new eGK.
   

It usually takes about 1 to 4 business days to process. It takes about 3 to 10 days until the actual eGK supply (including production time of the eGK).

In order to process and make a decision quickly, your health insurance company must have the necessary information and, if necessary, documents complete and meaningful.
The health insurance company decides on applications promptly, whereby the statutory processing deadline is observed in order to protect patients' rights.
Please note that the stated processing time is an average value for all health insurance companies. It may vary in individual cases.
The exact processing time also depends on the complexity of the individual case and can be extended accordingly. The same applies if documents or records are sent to you or your health insurance company by post.
 

- Forms: no

- Online procedure possible: Many statutory health insurance companies offer an online procedure.

- Written form required: no

- Personal appearance required: no

• Contradiction
• Appeal to the Social Court

Federal Ministry of Health

25.10.2021

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.