Moving Means Switching Pediatricians Too. Here's What Actually Happens to Your Child's File
Switching to a new Kinderarzt after a move doesn't mean your child's medical history starts over, but it also doesn't transfer automatically without you asking. With your consent, your previous practice is required to send your child's complete records to the new one, and practices are legally required to retain patient files for at least 10 years, so nothing gets discarded simply because you've moved on. If you'd rather hold onto the documentation yourself, you're entitled to request a copy of the complete file, though practices aren't required to hand over the physical originals. In practice, a full record transfer isn't always necessary: your new Kinderarzt may only need an Arztbrief (a summary letter) rather than the entire historical file, so it's worth asking the new practice directly what they actually want before assuming you need to arrange a complete transfer. If your child has an elektronische Patientenakte (ePA), that data persists across the switch and can help inform the new practice regardless of what paper records move or don't.
The Official Rule
A move that takes your family to a new part of the city, or a new city entirely, almost always means finding a new Kinderarzt. Whatâs less obvious is what actually happens to years of accumulated medical history, vaccination records, growth data, and notes from every U-checkup along the way, and the good news is that none of it is simply lost, but it also doesnât move on its own.
With your consent, your childâs previous Kinderarzt is required to send the complete stored records to the new practice, according to Deutsches Ărzteblattâs explanation of the legal framework governing this transfer. This isnât automatic simply because youâve registered somewhere new, you need to actively consent to and typically initiate the transfer, rather than assuming it happens behind the scenes on its own.
| Option | What it involves |
|---|---|
| Practice-to-practice transfer | With your consent, old practice sends records directly to new one |
| Request your own copy | You receive a copy of the complete file, originals stay with the practice |
| Arztbrief only | A summary letter, often sufficient instead of the full historical file |
Practices are legally required to retain patient files for at least 10 years, so thereâs no risk of your childâs history simply being discarded because youâve switched providers or moved away. If youâd rather manage the transfer yourself rather than relying on practice-to-practice communication, Techniker Krankenkasseâs own patient rights guidance confirms youâre entitled to request a copy of the complete file, though the practice isnât required to hand over the physical original documents themselves, a copy serves the same practical purpose.
Worth knowing before you assume a full historical transfer is necessary: it often isnât. Many new Kinderarzt practices are genuinely fine with a shorter Arztbrief, a summary letter covering the relevant medical history, rather than requiring every document from the previous practice in full. Asking the new practice directly what they actually want before arranging anything can save you an unnecessary, more involved transfer process.
If your child has an elektronische Patientenakte (ePA), that digital record persists across the switch on its own, giving the new practice access to relevant information regardless of how the paper-based transfer, or lack of one, proceeds.
What Real People Say
Families whoâve moved and switched Kinderarzt describe the records question as something they initially assumed would just sort itself out, only to realize partway through establishing care at the new practice that nothing moves without an active request. The practical approach that comes up repeatedly: contact the new practice early, specifically ask what they need, an Arztbrief versus the complete file, and then formally consent to the transfer from the old practice rather than waiting to see if it happens on its own.
The 10-year retention requirement is a detail that reassures parents worried about an old practice closing down or losing track of records over time, knowing thereâs a legal floor for how long files are kept removes one source of anxiety from an already busy moving process.
Step by Step
- Register with your new Kinderarzt promptly after moving, rather than delaying until your child actually needs an appointment.
- Ask the new practice directly whether they need a full records transfer or just an Arztbrief summary.
- If a full transfer is needed, formally consent to it so your previous practice can send records directly to the new one.
- If youâd rather manage it yourself, request a copy of the complete file from your previous Kinderarzt.
- Donât worry about records being lost if your old practice has since closed, practices are required to retain files for at least 10 years, and established procedures exist for handling records when a practice shuts down.
Compliance Note
This page explains the general legal framework for transferring a childâs medical records between Kinderarzt practices in Germany, current as of mid-2026. It is not legal or medical advice. For your specific situation, confirm current procedures directly with your previous and new practices.
FAQ & Common Pitfalls
Do we have to do anything for our old Kinderarzt to send records to the new one, or does it happen automatically?
It requires your consent, it isn't automatic just because you've registered with a new practice. Once you give that consent, your previous Kinderarzt is required to send your child's complete stored records to the new practice. It's worth actively initiating this, rather than assuming the new practice will chase it down on their own.
Can we just take our child's paper file with us to the new Kinderarzt?
Not the originals, practices aren't required to hand over the physical file itself. What you're entitled to is a copy of the complete patient record, which you can request and bring with you or forward directly. Either the practice-to-practice transfer or your own requested copy accomplishes the same goal, getting the new Kinderarzt the historical information they need.
Is a full records transfer always necessary when switching Kinderarzt?
Not always, and it's worth checking with the new practice before assuming you need the complete historical file. In many cases, a shorter Arztbrief, a summary letter covering the relevant medical history, is genuinely sufficient for the new Kinderarzt to pick up your child's care effectively, rather than needing every single document from the previous practice transferred in full.
What happens to records if our old Kinderarzt's practice closes down entirely?
Practices are legally required to retain patient files for at least 10 years regardless of whether the practice itself continues operating, so a closure doesn't mean your child's records simply disappear. There are established procedures for how patient records get handled when a practice closes, generally involving another practice or a records-management arrangement taking over custody, so it's worth asking specifically what happened to the records if you find your old practice has shut down.