Work and social securityUpdated October 2026 · 9 min read

German statutory pension insurance: what foreign workers need to know

If your job in Germany is subject to social insurance, your employer generally registers you for statutory pension insurance and deducts your share of the contributions through payroll. Check your payslip and keep your pension records, especially if you have also worked in another country.

In brief: In 2026 the rate is 18.6%, normally 9.3% each for employee and employer. Check your insurance record; seek individual DRV advice for international periods or a possible refund.

How contributions work in 2026

The general statutory pension insurance contribution rate is 18.6% in 2026. It is normally divided equally between you and your employer: 9.3% each.

Contributions are calculated only on earnings up to the contribution ceiling of €8,450 per month or €101,400 per year. Your employer generally registers you if your German job is subject to social insurance. Check your payslip to confirm that pension insurance contributions are being deducted.

When you can qualify for a German pension

The standard German old-age pension generally requires a qualifying period of five years. Insurance periods completed in EU or EEA countries, Switzerland or countries that have a relevant social security agreement with Germany may help you meet eligibility requirements under the applicable coordination rules.

Combining periods does not normally transfer all contributions to Germany. Each country generally calculates and pays its own proportional pension for the periods covered there.

Retirement age

Germany's regular retirement age is gradually increasing to 67. If you were born in 1964 or later, your regular retirement age is 67.

What happens if you leave Germany

Leaving Germany does not erase pension rights you have already accrued. A German pension can generally be paid abroad, although the applicable coordination rules and your country of residence may affect the details.

Keep your German pension insurance number, employment documents, insurance records and evidence of contribution periods in other countries. These records can make a later international pension application easier.

Contribution refunds are not automatic

Moving away from Germany does not automatically entitle you to a refund. A refund may be possible only in specific circumstances—for example, if you are no longer compulsorily insured and have no right to make voluntary contributions to German pension insurance. It may also be possible after you reach the regular retirement age if you have not completed the five-year qualifying period.

A waiting period of generally 24 calendar months applies. Usually, only your own employee contributions are refunded, not the employer's share.

A refund dissolves the previous insurance relationship. The associated pension claims and credits are extinguished, including relevant credits for which you did not personally pay contributions. Ask Deutsche Rentenversicherung for an individual calculation and advice before applying.

Practical checklist

  1. Find and securely store your German pension insurance number.
  2. Create or request your Versicherungsverlauf, the record of periods held in your pension account.
  3. Request a Kontenklärung if periods are missing or incorrect.
  4. Keep employment documents, insurance records and proof of contribution periods in every country where you worked.
  5. Get international advice from Deutsche Rentenversicherung if more than one country's system is involved.
  6. If you expect pensions from several countries, ask about the application process and start around six months before retirement.

Frequently asked questions

Does my employer register me for German pension insurance?

If your German job is subject to social insurance, your employer generally registers you. Check your payslip to make sure pension insurance contributions appear there.

How much do I pay in 2026?

The general contribution rate is 18.6%, normally split equally between employee and employer at 9.3% each. Contributions are calculated only on earnings up to €8,450 per month or €101,400 per year.

Do years worked outside Germany count toward the five-year requirement?

They may. Periods in EU or EEA countries, Switzerland and countries with a relevant social security agreement may help satisfy eligibility requirements under the applicable coordination rules. Each country normally pays its own proportional pension.

Do I lose my German pension rights if I leave Germany?

No. Leaving Germany does not erase accrued rights. A German pension can generally be paid abroad, subject to the applicable coordination rules and residence-specific details.

Can I get my contributions back when I leave Germany?

Not automatically. A refund is available only under specific conditions and generally after a 24-calendar-month waiting period. Usually only your own contributions are refunded. Because a refund extinguishes the associated claims and credits, ask Deutsche Rentenversicherung for an individual calculation and advice first.

When should I apply if I worked in several countries?

Ask the relevant pension authority about the process and begin around six months before retirement, as coordinating records and decisions across several countries can take time.

Official sources

Note: Information valid as of 23 October 2026. This is a practical overview, not legal or pension advice. Individual results depend on your insurance history, nationality, residence and the coordination rules or social security agreement that applies. Ask Deutsche Rentenversicherung or the responsible pension authority for advice on your case.