From 15 January 2025, Germany’s electronic patient record was tested in three model regions: Hamburg and the area around it, Franconia, and parts of North Rhine-Westphalia. About 230 doctors’ practices, 60 pharmacies and a few hospitals took part. The health ministry had planned the national start for 15 February. It was delayed, partly because the Chaos Computer Club had shown security gaps at the end of 2024, and partly because testing got off to a slow start. The record could be used across the country from 29 April 2025. Practices, pharmacies and hospitals were required to use it only from 1 October 2025. The minister, Karl Lauterbach, wrote that providers should nicht unter Druck geraten für Umstände, die sie nicht zu verantworten haben, not come under pressure for circumstances they are not responsible for.