Organ Donation: Procedures and How to Register

Organ donation in Germany: procedures and official registration

1. What does organ donation mean?
Organ donation means donating organs after death (and in certain cases during life) so they can be transplanted to save another person’s life.

2. How the system works in Germany
Germany uses an opt-in system. This means organ donation is only possible if a person has explicitly stated consent before death.

3. How can you document your decision?

A) Organ donor card (Organspendeausweis)
A free card you can keep in your wallet. It can show:

• consent to donate all organs or specific organs only

• refusal to donate

• or leaving the decision to your family

B) Registration in the electronic organ donor register
Since March 2024, you can register digitally, for example:

• via the official organ donor register (online)

• using the electronic ID function (eID) of the German ID card

• or via government health apps such as “Meine Gesundheit”
  This register is binding and is checked before any post-mortem donation is carried out.

4. Where can you get the paper donor card?

• pharmacies

• health insurance offices

• post offices

• or as a free download from official organ donation information services

5. Should you inform your family?
Yes. It is strongly recommended, because family members may be consulted if there is uncertainty or if no card/entry is available.

6. Can you change your decision later?
Yes—at any time. You can tear up and replace the card, or update/delete your digital registration.

7. When does donation actually take place?

• after confirmed brain death in an intensive care unit

• with documented consent (card/register) or after clarification with family

• then coordination through DSO and allocation through Eurotransplant

8. Is living donation possible?
Yes, but only in specific cases (such as a kidney or part of the liver) and usually for close relatives or people with a very close personal relationship. It requires, among other things:

• psychological assessment

• approval by an independent committee

• proof that there is no pressure or personal gain

9. Does organ donation affect the funeral?
No. The procedure is carried out respectfully, and the body is prepared for a dignified burial.

10. Quick summary

---

ـ* The editorial team aims to provide accurate information through careful research. However, mistakes may occur or some details may be uncertain. Please treat this as initial guidance and consult the responsible authorities for confirmed information.