Have the healthcare proxy and living will registered in the Central Vorsorgeregister

If you have drawn up a power of attorney for healthcare and/or a living will/advorship directive, you should have them registered in the Central Register of Powers of Attorney of the Federal Chamber of Notaries.

A advance health care directive and/or durable power of attorney and/or proxy directive can only unfold its effect if it is found in an emergency.

In an emergency, the registered information can be accessed by guardianship courts around the clock via secure online access. If an emergency occurs very suddenly and you are no longer able to communicate, the guardianship court can use this to determine whether a durable power of attorney or a guardianship directive exists and—if you have provided information on this—where the document is kept. This can prevent the appointment of a legal guardian. 

You can have the following data registered electronically in the Central Registry of the Federal Chamber of Notaries:

• Details of the principal or the account holder
• Details of the authorized representative or proposed legal guardian 
• Date on which the document was drawn up
• Repository of the document
• Information on the purpose for which the power of attorney was granted or the advance directive was drawn up
• Information on special instructions and wishes, which also includes whether a living will has additionally been drawn up

Please note that the Central Register of Powers of Attorney does not store the document (nor a copy) containing the power of attorney or the directive concerning the appointment of a guardian. 

Upon new registration, you will receive a personal ZVR Card in addition to the registration confirmation. On this card, you can write the name of the principal as well as the names and telephone numbers of up to two trusted persons.

You can have the entries in the Central Directive Register changed, amended, or deleted at any time.

Special conditions for registrations with the Central Directory of Living Wills apply to institutional users of the register (for example, notaries, attorneys, guardianship associations, or guardianship authorities registered with the Central Directory of Living Wills). If you have had your power of attorney for healthcare and/or guardianship directive notarized by a notary, for example, the notary can also have it registered. The notary does not receive separate fees for the registration and will only pass on the lower registration fee to you in addition to the notarization fee.

You can apply for registration in the Central Care Register yourself online or in writing.

If you would like to apply for registration online:

• Go to the website of the Central Register of Living Wills and follow the instructions.
• After you have submitted the online registration application, the Central Directory of Living Wills will send you a data verification sheet and an invoice. You can see the data to be entered from the data verification sheet and make any necessary corrections. 
• Once you have paid the applicable fee, your durable power of attorney or advance directive will be registered in the Central Register of Directives, and the competent guardianship court will be able to access it. 
• At the end of the procedure, you will receive a registration confirmation and the ZVR card.

If you wish to apply for the entry in writing: 

• Download the form for private individuals online and print it out.
• Fill out the form, add the additional form if necessary, and send the application documents to the Central Vorsorgeregister.
• After you have submitted the application for registration in writing, the Central Register of Living Wills will send you a data verification sheet and an invoice. You can check the data to be entered from the data verification sheet and make any necessary corrections.
• Once you have paid the applicable fee, your durable power of attorney or advance directive will be registered in the Central Register of Directives, and the competent guardianship court will be able to access it.
• At the end of the procedure, you will receive a registration confirmation and the ZVR card.

Note: If you have your power of care or living will notarized or authenticated by a notary, the notary can arrange for its registration in the Central Care Register for you. The same applies if you create the power of care or living will with the assistance of a lawyer, care association, or care authority that is registered with the Central Care Register as a so-called institutional user.

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Upon registration by private informers

• EUR 13.00 - 18.50 for the registration of the first authorized representative
• EUR 2.50 - 3.00 for each additional authorized representative

Upon registration by notaries, lawyers, guardianship associations, and authorities

• EUR 8.50 - 16.00 for the registration of the first authorized representative
• EUR 2.50 - 3.00 for each additional authorized representative