DiGA: The "App on Prescription" Framework and Reimbursable Digital Therapeutics
Germany is the first country in the world to have a standardized process for prescribing and reimbursing Digital Health Applications (DiGA). A DiGA is a medical device of risk class I, IIa, or (as of 2025) IIb, whose primary function is digital.
To be listed in the official BfArM DiGA Directory, a manufacturer must prove that the app provides a "positive healthcare effect" (positiver Versorgungseffekt), such as a reduction in symptoms or an improvement in health literacy. Once listed, these apps can be prescribed by any physician or psychotherapist, with the costs fully covered by the patient's health insurance. As of early 2026, there are dozens of permanently listed DiGAs addressing conditions such as:
Chronic back pain and migraine
Depression and generalized anxiety disorders
Diabetes management
Cancer-related fatigue and psychological support