The new S2k guideline “First epileptic seizure and epilepsies in adulthood”, which replaces the previous S1 guideline, has been available since September 2023. Detailed recommendations on various aspects of the diagnostics, therapy and comorbidities as well as on psychosocial aspects of epilepsy were developed and agreed on in a structured consensus process by a representative multiprofessional guideline group with 66 members. The methodological approach to the development of the guideline and its documentation followed the “Guidelines for the preparation of the guideline report for authors of S2k, S2e and S3 guidelines” of the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF) and the “AWMF regulations guidelines 2.0”, e.g., with respect to the grading of recommendations and the strength of consensus. Transparency of conflicts of interest is an important prerequisite for the trustworthiness of guidelines and thus also for their acceptance. Potential conflicts of interest and the resulting restrictions on participation in guideline development are documented in detail in the guideline report. The guideline was reviewed by the Germany Society for Neurology (DGN) and AWMF and approved by the executive boards of the professional societies involved. The claim of guidelines to improve the medical care of people with epilepsy presupposes that they are known to the target groups. To this end, the guideline has been or will be published on the websites of the societies involved. In addition, the German Society for Epileptology (DGfE) has implemented a campaign with video clips and text contributions on the society’s homepage in order to make the guideline known to a wider public.