How to get a German pension refund #

If you have worked in Germany, you have likely noticed that around 22.8% of your salary is automatically deducted for social security contributions. The largest portion of this about 9.3% of your monthly income goes directly into the German pension insurance system.

For many expats and foreign employees, these contributions don’t have to remain locked away forever. If you decide to leave Germany permanently, you may be able to claim a German pension refund (also called Beitragserstattung) and get part of those payments back.

In this guide, we’ll break down who can claim a pension refund in Germany and how to apply for it successfully step by step.

What is a German Pension Refund? #

A German pension refund is a process where you apply to the German Pension Office (Deutsche Rentenversicherung) to reclaim the pension insurance contributions you personally paid during your employment in Germany.

When you work in Germany, both you and your employer pay into the pension system. However, only your share 50% of the total contribution deducted from your salary  is refundable. The other 50%, which is covered by your employer, cannot be claimed back.

Is it possible to receive a Pension refund once you leave Germany? #

It depends on your situation. Whether you’re eligible to claim your German pension contributions back after leaving the country largely depends on your nationality and the country you move to.

Certain groups of people can apply for a German pension refund (Beitragserstattung), while others may not qualify due to international agreements or residency rules. In the next section, we’ll explain who is eligible and who isn’t  for a pension refund in detail.

What are the requirements to claim a German pension refund? #

To be eligible for a German pension refund, you need to meet specific conditions set by the Deutsche Rentenversicherung (German Pension Office). Below are the key requirements:

1. You live outside the EU, EEA, Switzerland, and the UK.
2. You haven’t paid into the German pension system for at least 24 months.
3. You are not allowed to make voluntary contributions to the German pension insurance.
4. You’ve reached the German retirement age but do not qualify for pension payments.

• • To receive a pension, you must have contributed for a minimum of 5 years.
  • As of 2024, the retirement age is 67 for anyone born after 1964.

The third requirement is often the most confusing, as it depends on your nationality and your country of residence. These factors determine whether you’re permitted to make voluntary pension contributions or not. We’ll explore how this works for different nationalities in the next section.

Who is eligible for a German Pension Refund? #

There are four main groups of people when it comes to eligibility for a German pension refund. Each group is treated differently based on nationality and legal status:

1. German Citizens #

If you are a German citizen, you can continue making voluntary contributions to the German pension system (Deutsche Rentenversicherung) until you reach retirement age even if you are self-employed or living and working abroad.

It doesn’t matter whether you recently became a German citizen or hold dual citizenship the same rule applies.

Because of this, you are generally not eligible for a pension refund unless you meet Requirement 4 (i.e., you’ve reached retirement age but still don’t qualify for pension benefits).

2. Citizens of EU/EEA Countries, Switzerland, or the UK #

If you are a citizen of an EU or EEA country (including Iceland, Norway, or Liechtenstein), or from Switzerland or the United Kingdom (if you worked in Germany before Brexit), EU law treats you the same as a German citizen.

This means you are always allowed to make voluntary contributions to the German pension fund, even if you move abroad and no longer live or work in Germany or the EU.

As a result, you cannot claim a German pension refund unless you also meet Requirement 4.

Exception: Dual Citizens from Non-European Countries #

If you hold dual citizenship and one of your nationalities is from a non-EU country, you may still be eligible to claim a German pension refund even though the general rules say otherwise.

Specialized services like Germany Pension Refund have successfully handled such cases in the past. If you think this situation applies to you, it’s a good idea to contact their team and have them review your specific case.

3. Citizens of Contracting Countries #

Contracting countries are nations outside the EU and EEA that have signed a bilateral social security agreement (Sozialversicherungsabkommen) with Germany. These agreements regulate how pension rights are handled across borders.

Countries with such agreements include:
Albania, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, India, Israel, Japan, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Serbia, South Korea, the Philippines, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay, and the USA.

However, things get more complicated because each agreement has its own set of rules. In general, these treaties determine whether you are allowed to continue contributing voluntarily to the German pension system once you leave Germany.

In many cases, your eligibility depends not only on your nationality but also on where you currently live and work. Additionally, some agreements restrict refunds to those who have worked in Germany for less than five years (60 months).

Because of these differences, there’s no universal rule each case must be looked at individually. If you’re a citizen of one of the contracting countries, it’s strongly recommended to consult pension refund experts, such as the team at Germany Pension Refund, to evaluate your situation.

Good news: If you are from one of these countries, there is a high chance that you may qualify for a German pension refund.

4. Citizens of Non-Contracting Countries #

If you are a citizen of a country not listed among the contracting nations, you do not have the right to make voluntary pension contributions once you leave Germany. This means you automatically meet Requirement 3.

If you also fulfill Requirements 1 and 2 meaning you live outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland/UK and haven’t contributed to the German pension system for at least 24 months you are eligible to claim a German pension refund.

In short, if you’re from a non-contracting country, you can request a refund of your German pension contributions.

Can you claim a German Pension Refund after paying in for 5 years? #

Yes, it’s possible. Whether you can receive a German pension refund after contributing for more than 5 years (60 months) depends as always on your nationality and where you live now.

Contrary to a common misconception, there is no universal rule preventing you from getting a refund after 60 months. This restriction applies only to certain contracting countries such as Australia, Canada, India, the USA, and a few others where bilateral agreements include a 5-year limit.

Ultimately, each case is reviewed individually, and your eligibility will depend on specific legal and residency factors. To maximize your chances of successfully reclaiming your contributions, consider seeking help from a specialized service like Germany Pension Refund.

How Brexit affects German Pension refunds for UK Citizens #

If you are a UK citizen, your eligibility for a German pension refund depends mainly on when you started working in Germany specifically, whether it was before or after Brexit took effect.

If you worked in Germany before January 1, 2021

If your employment in Germany began before the Brexit transition period ended, you are treated the same as an EU citizen when it comes to social security contributions. This means you cannot claim a pension refund, even for contributions made after Brexit.

If you started working after January 1, 2021

If you moved to Germany and began contributing to the pension system after Brexit, the UK is now treated as a contracting country. In this case, you may be eligible for a refund — but only if you meet all of the following conditions:

• You have not contributed to the German pension fund for at least 24 months.
• You live outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland.
• You worked and paid into the German pension system for less than 60 months.

How much German Pension Refund can you receive? #

The amount you can claim depends on how much you paid into the pension system during your time working in Germany. As an employee, your share of the pension contribution has been 9.3% of your monthly gross salary since 2018.

From 1994 to 2017, the contribution rate varied between 9.35% and 10.15%. Because of this, the total refund you can receive is directly linked to your income level and the length of your employment in Germany. For many people, this can amount to several thousand euros being refunded.

You can use an online German pension refund calculator to get an estimate of how much money you might receive back. Keep in mind, however, that these results are only approximations, as the exact refund amount varies for each individual case.

If you want to know precisely how much you’re entitled to, you can request a copy of your insurance record (Versicherungsverlauf) directly from the Deutsche Rentenversicherung.

Tip: It’s best to request this document while you’re still living in Germany, as the pension office will send the printout by postal mail to your German address.

⚠️ Important Note: Contribution Cap (Beitragsbemessungsgrenze) #

When calculating your potential pension refund, it’s essential to understand the assessment threshold (Beitragsbemessungsgrenze). This is a maximum income limit used to determine how much of your salary is subject to pension contributions.

The cap differs between regions:

• Western Germany: €90,600 in 2024
• Eastern Germany: €89,400 in 2024

This means that if you earned more than the threshold, your contributions — and therefore your refund — are calculated only on that capped amount rather than on your full salary. As a result, you can only receive a refund based on the amount you actually contributed, not on your total income.

How to claim your German Pension refund? #

There are two main ways you can apply for and claim your German pension refund (Beitragserstattung):

1. Claim your German Pension refund on your own #

Like most bureaucratic processes in Germany, you can handle your pension refund application yourself but it requires patience and attention to detail.

Step 1: Complete the Application Form #

You’ll need to fill out Form V0901, a 15-page document available in German and English.

Step 2: Wait 24 Months #

You can only submit your application after 24 months have passed since your last pension contribution. Once this waiting period is over, send the completed form and all required supporting documents by postal mail to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung office in the region where you last lived in Germany.

Step 3: Expect Follow-Up Requests #

While the process may sound straightforward, the pension office often sends follow-up letters requesting additional documents or clarifications. This correspondence is usually in German and can take several weeks or even months.

Important: If any letter gets lost in international mail, there will be no automatic follow-up, and your application could be delayed indefinitely.

Step 4: Contacting the Pension Office #

If you have questions during the process, you can call or email the Deutsche Rentenversicherung. However, keep in mind that all communication will be in German.

Step 5: Final Decision and Refund Payment #

If your application is approved, you’ll receive a final notice (Bescheid) detailing the contribution period and the refund amount. Double-check this document carefully if anything is missing or incorrect, contact the office immediately.

Refund Payment: Your refund will be transferred by bank wire. If you list a non-German bank account, expect the payment to take up to two months longer and to incur significant bank fees.

2. Work With Experts to Claim Your German Pension Refund #

If you want to save time, reduce stress, and avoid bureaucratic obstacles, you can also choose to hire professionals who specialize in German pension refunds.

These experts don’t just make the process smoother — they can also increase your chances of success, even in complex or borderline cases. Their experienced legal teams know the system inside out and are familiar with loopholes and exceptions that most individuals wouldn’t be aware of.

Key Benefits of Using a Specialist Service #

• Faster processing: Professionals know how to handle paperwork efficiently and avoid delays.
• Higher success rate: They often secure refunds in cases where individuals might be rejected.
• Quicker payout: Refunds can be paid into the company’s German bank account, and they’ll forward the money to you through low-cost international transfer services (like Wise), helping you save on fees and receive funds sooner.

Recommended Pension Refund Services in Germany #

Here are a few reputable companies that can assist with the refund process:

• Germany Pension Refund – 9.75% fee, no minimum charge.
• Fundsback – 9.9% fee (minimum €899, maximum €2,899) – you can get a 5% discount on the fee via our Simple Germany link.
• Pension Refund Germany– 10% fee, no minimum charge.

Good to know: All three providers offer a free eligibility check and case evaluation. They will only take on your case if they are confident in a successful outcome. You’ll pay a commission fee only after your refund is approved and paid out.

Which documents are required for a German Pension Refund claim? #

To successfully apply for your German pension refund (Beitragserstattung), you’ll need to prepare and submit several important documents. Having these ready in advance will make the process much smoother — and it’s usually easiest to gather them while you’re still in Germany.

Essential documents include:

• Form V0901 – the official pension refund application form.
• Your German social security number (Sozialversicherungsnummer).
• Copy of your Abmeldung – proof that you’ve deregistered your German residence.
• Certified copy of your passport and proof of current residence, issued by a local German authority or German embassy.
• Certificate of life and nationality – a document confirming that you are alive and verifying your citizenship (Lebensbescheinigung).
• Optional) Copy of your German insurance record (Versicherungsverlauf) – this shows your total contributions and helps calculate your refund amount accurately.

Tip: Starting to collect these documents before leaving Germany can save you significant time and paperwork later.

How long does it take to receive your German Pension Refund? #

The timeline for getting your pension refund depends on how you file your claim and where your bank account is located.

Once you submit a complete application which you can do no earlier than 24 months after your last contribution the standard processing time is usually up to six months.

If you’re handling the process yourself and using a bank account outside Germany, the payment transfer may take an additional two months, and you might face higher bank fees.

Faster option: Specialized services like Germany Pension Refund can often speed up the process significantly. Their clients typically receive their refunds in about 8 weeks on average much quicker than going through the process on their own.

Who is not eligible for a German Pension Refund? #

Not everyone can claim back their pension contributions from Germany. The following groups are not eligible for a refund:

• Citizens of EU, EEA countries, Switzerland, or the UK (if they worked in Germany before Brexit) —egardless of where they currently live.
• Non-EU citizens who are currently living within the EU, EEA, Switzerland, or the UK even if they meet other requirements.

In these cases, individuals typically have the option to continue contributing voluntarily to the German pension system instead of requesting a refund.

German Pension Options for Expats #

Even if you’re not eligible for a pension refund, that doesn’t mean your contributions are lost. There are still ways to benefit from the money you paid into the German pension system.

For Residents of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland #

If you live in an EU, EEA, or Swiss country, you can transfer your German pension contributions to your local pension system before retirement. This allows you to receive one combined pension payment from the country where you live. You can find detailed information about this process on the official EU website.

For Residents Outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland #

If you live outside of Europe and can’t claim a refund, you still have two options:

• Claim your pension once you reach retirement age, provided you meet requirement 4.
• Receive monthly pension payments directly from the German government once you retire.

The German pension system can be complicated, but as an expat, it’s worth checking if you’re eligible for a pension refund you could be owed thousands of euros.

To make the process easier and improve your chances, consider getting help from pension refund experts like Germany Pension Refund.