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

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

• Your health insurance company will contact you in advance and ask you for a current passport photo.
• You usually have several options for sending your passport photo to the health insurance company: online, by post or, with many health insurance companies, in person at the office.
  • Please wait for the letter from your health insurance company. Until then, you do not have to do anything 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 provider. To protect your data, the requirement differs depending on the health insurance company. Your health insurance company will tell you what options you have. You can request the eGK from many health insurance companies in person at the office. It is often also possible to apply via the health insurance company's online portal, by letter or by telephone.

• Inform your health insurance company and enclose the necessary documents.
• The health insurance company will check your application.
• You will receive the new eGK by post.

If your address changes, you do not usually need to apply for a new card. Inform your health insurance fund. They will change your stored address details, which will then be automatically updated on the eHC the next time you visit the doctor.

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

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

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

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

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

Processing normally takes around 1 to 4 working days. It takes around 3 to 10 days until the eGK is actually supplied (including the production time of the eGK).

To ensure fast processing and a quick decision, your health insurance company must have the necessary information and any required documents in a complete and meaningful form.
The health insurance company decides on applications promptly, whereby the statutory processing period is adhered to in order to protect patients' rights.
Please note that the processing time stated 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 may be longer. The same applies if documents or records are sent to you or your health insurance company by post.

• § Section 291 of the Fifth Book of the German Social Code (SGB V)
• § Section 291a of the Fifth Book of the German Social Code (SGB V)
• § Section 8 of the Second Act on Health Insurance for Farmers (KVLG 1989)

• Objection
• Action before the social court

- Forms: no

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

- Written form required: no

- Personal appearance necessary: no

• To apply for a new eGK via the Kassen-Navigator of the GKV-Spitzenverband

25.10.2021