Worked in Germany? Find out if you can reclaim your pension contributions

If you worked legally in Germany and paid contributions to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung (DRV - German pension insurance), you may be entitled to a partial refund of those contributions under certain conditions.

This option is primarily aimed at foreign nationals who have permanently left Germany and no longer have any connection to the German pension system.

In this article, we explain in detail the eligibility requirements, which contributions can be refunded, how to submit the application, which documents are needed, and what you should consider before applying.

✅ Who can apply?

The refund of pension insurance contributions is only available to individuals who are no longer eligible for mandatory or voluntary insurance in Germany.

Eligible groups include:

1. Foreign nationals without ties to the German pension system

• Citizens of countries outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, or the United Kingdom;

• Individuals who have worked and contributed in Germany for less than 60 months (5 years);

• Individuals who no longer reside in Germany or in any of the countries mentioned above;

• Individuals who are no longer permitted to make voluntary contributions to the German pension system;

• Individuals whose last contribution was made at least 24 months ago;

• Individuals who have left the EU, EEA, Switzerland, or the UK for at least 24 months.

  
  

2. Reaching retirement age without minimum contribution time

• People who have reached the legal retirement age, but have not completed the minimum 60 months of contributions required for a pension.

  
  

3. Professionals with separate pension systems

• Public servants, doctors, lawyers, and members of professional associations who contributed to specific pension funds and cannot be or are no longer mandatory or voluntary contributors to the DRV.

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4. Dependents of insured persons

• Widows/widowers and orphans may be entitled to a refund if the deceased met the requirements and no further pension rights exist.

❌ Who is not eligible:

• Citizens of the EU, EEA, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom;

• Citizens from non-EU countries who currently reside in any of the countries mentioned above — as they still maintain a link with the European pension system and are therefore not eligible;

• Individuals who still have the right to voluntarily contribute to the German system;

• Those who have contributed for more than 60 months and have not yet reached the legal retirement age.

💶 What can be refunded?

• Only the portion of the contribution paid by the employee, i.e., what you personally paid (typically 50% of the total);

  
  

• Not refundable:

  • Contributions paid by the employer;

  • Periods subsidized by the state, such as:

    • Unemployment;

    • Maternity leave;

    • Mandatory military service;

    • Professional rehabilitation programs.

🕒 When and how to apply

• You can apply for the refund only after 24 months have passed since your last contribution, and after permanently leaving Germany or any EU/EEA/UK/Swiss country, provided you are no longer eligible for voluntary contributions to the German pension system.

• The average processing time ranges from 1 to 6 months, and may be longer in complex cases or when documents are incomplete.

  
  

📄 Required documents

1. Completed application forms;

2. Bank details declaration;

3. Certified copy of passport and proof of nationality;

4. Proof of deregistration from Germany (Abmeldebescheinigung);

5. Contribution history (Versicherungsverlauf);

6. Proof of income and employment duration, if applicable.

   
   

Other documents may be required depending on the case.

⚠️ Important considerations

• Dual citizenship alert: Individuals holding dual citizenship, with one being from an EU/EEA/Swiss/UK country, may still have ties to the German pension system even if residing outside Europe. This can directly impact eligibility for the refund. It's essential to assess your legal status carefully before applying.

• Once you receive a refund, you lose all future entitlements tied to that contribution period — including retirement, survivor benefits, and disability pension;

• The refund permanently severs your link with the German system, and it is not possible to “buy back” this time later;

• If you intend to return to Germany in the future, consider these implications carefully before applying for the refund.

  
  

📌 Conclusion

Requesting a refund of German pension contributions is a legitimate right for many foreigners who left the country without meeting the minimum time required for retirement. However, it is an irreversible decision with significant implications for your future entitlements.

If you believe you meet the requirements and wish to recover the contributions paid, contact our team. We’ll be happy to assist you clearly and efficiently — with no complications.