Short Answer

You have a legal right under GDPR to receive a physical or digital copy of every medical report, blood test, and X-ray.

Doctors are required to provide this data, though they may charge a small administrative fee for printing or CD-ROMs.

What Most Expats Don't Realize

You moved to a different city and realized your new specialist needed the results of the MRI you had six months ago. The old clinic had closed for vacation, and you couldn't access your own data to prove your medical history. You lost €450 and several weeks of time because you had to repeat the entire diagnostic process from scratch.

What To Do

  • Ask for a copy of your "Laborwerte" (lab results) at the end of every blood test appointment.
  • Ask the reception desk for a CD-ROM or a digital portal download link for any imaging like X-rays or CT scans.
  • "Ich möchte eine Kopie meiner Befunde für meine Unterlagen." (I would like a copy of my reports for my records.) Say this at the reception desk before you leave.

The Truth

The system does not automatically share your data between different clinics or cities. If you do not physically carry your results with you, they effectively do not exist when you see a new doctor.