You can redeem an e-prescription (E-Rezept) at an online pharmacy without going in person to a pharmacy on site. The Federal Ministry of Health names this route explicitly alongside redemption at a pharmacy on site. This guide explains what you need, which steps are required and what to check when choosing an online pharmacy.
Short answer: You can redeem an e-prescription at an online pharmacy. The Federal Ministry of Health names the online pharmacy as a route alongside a pharmacy on site. You receive the access data at the medical practice, often as a paper printout. Whether delivery is by post, whether shipping costs apply and how long delivery takes is decided by each provider. Figures from the BMG page, last updated 27 October 2025.
The most important points at a glance
- You can redeem an e-prescription at a pharmacy on site or at an online pharmacy.
- You receive the access data at the medical practice, according to the BMG often as a paper printout.
- Redeeming without an app only requires your electronic health card at the card terminal in a pharmacy, according to the BMG.
- Postal delivery, shipping costs and delivery times are set by each online pharmacy. Compare the information on the provider’s website.
- The redemption details come from the BMG page, last updated 27 October 2025.
What do you need to redeem it?
To redeem a prescription you need the e-prescription itself and the access data that the practice hands to you. The Federal Ministry of Health describes the access data as a paper printout that the practice can give you. For redemption via the e-prescription app, you additionally need an NFC-capable electronic health card and your insured person PIN, which you receive from your health insurer.
| What you need | Purpose | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Paper printout with access data | Redemption at an online pharmacy | Medical practice |
| Electronic health card | Redemption at a pharmacy via the card terminal | Health insurer |
| NFC-capable health card and insured person PIN | Redemption via the e-prescription app | Health insurer |
The Federal Ministry of Health also describes that the electronic health card can simply be inserted into the card terminal at a pharmacy. No app is needed for this. If you do not use a smartphone or do not want to set up the app, you can choose this route. The guide on redeeming an e-prescription without an app covers it in detail.
How redemption works at an online pharmacy
The process differs in detail from provider to provider. The following steps describe the basic principle, based on the information from the Federal Ministry of Health. Always follow the instructions of your provider, because forms and procedures can vary.
- Ask the medical practice for the access data to your e-prescription, usually as a paper printout.
- Choose an online pharmacy that accepts e-prescriptions and read the information on delivery and costs on its website.
- Enter the access data and the details required for the order into the provider’s form.
- Check the order before sending it, in particular quantity, delivery address and shipping method.
- Keep the confirmation and the delivery information until the medicine has reached you.
What does postal delivery mean?
The Federal Ministry of Health describes the online pharmacy as a redemption route, but does not explain in detail how delivery works. The provider sets the type of dispatch. In concrete terms, whether the medicine arrives by letter, parcel or courier is only stated in the provider’s terms. Read them before you order.
If you need a medicine urgently, do not treat postal delivery as an immediate solution. Delivery takes time, and for acute complaints a pharmacy on site is often the faster choice. For medicines you need on a long-term basis, mail order can be a practical addition.
What to look for when choosing an online pharmacy
An online pharmacy is a pharmacy that delivers medicines to your address. Before you order, three points deserve a look: the information on the shipping method, the details on costs and how the pharmacy handles your data. This guide does not make a fixed recommendation for a particular provider.
| Check | What to look at | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping method | Post, parcel or courier, delivery time | Information on the provider’s website |
| Costs | Shipping costs and co-payment | Price details and shipping terms |
| Data protection | Which data is collected | The provider’s privacy policy |
| Contact | Contact for questions | Legal notice and contact page |
Which costs can arise?
The co-payment for a prescription-only medicine depends on the medicine and your insurance status. In principle it applies at an online pharmacy in the same way as at a pharmacy on site, unless an exemption applies. The shipping costs, by contrast, are set by the provider. Find the details on the pharmacy’s website before you order.
If you are unsure whether a co-payment applies to you, the information from your health insurer helps. This question depends on individual circumstances, which is why this guide names no fixed amounts that you should treat as certain.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an app to redeem it?
No. According to the Federal Ministry of Health, the electronic health card at the card terminal is enough in a pharmacy. For online redemption you need the access data from the practice. The app is an alternative, not a requirement.
Where do I get the access data?
The medical practice can hand you the access data as a paper printout. This is the route the Federal Ministry of Health describes for redemption without an app. Ask the practice if you have not received the printout.
Can I use any online pharmacy?
That depends on whether the provider accepts e-prescriptions and offers redemption on its website. Check this on the pharmacy’s website before you order, because the offers differ.
What happens if the medicine is not in stock?
The respective provider regulates this question. Read the pharmacy’s terms before you order and ask directly if something is unclear. For urgent needs, a pharmacy on site is usually the better option.
Do I have to disclose health data to an online pharmacy?
The redemption requires the data that the e-prescription contains and that you enter for the order. How the provider handles this is set out in its privacy policy. Read it before ordering, so that you know which data is stored.
What you should do now
- Ask the medical practice for the access data to your e-prescription.
- Decide whether you will redeem it at a pharmacy on site or at an online pharmacy.
- For an online pharmacy, check the shipping method, the costs and the privacy policy.
- Order only once you understand the details, and note the order number.
Related reading
- Emergency reform 2027: the new rules for emergency departments and out-of-hours care
- Redeeming an e-prescription without an app: step by step
- Objecting to the ePA: step-by-step instructions
- What is in the ePA: contents and objection period
Sources: Electronic prescription (E-Rezept), Federal Ministry of Health, last updated 27 October 2025.
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
