Germany Pension Refund: How expats can claim back their pension contributions
If you are a non-EU citizen, and at least 24 months have passed since you last contributed to the German pension fund, you may be entitled to get a pension refund.
Overview of the German pension refund system
Most employees working in Germany pay contributions into the Deutsche Rentenversicherung (German pension insurance). Under certain circumstances, you may apply for a refund of your pension contributions after leaving Germany.
However, leaving Germany alone doesn't automatically mean getting a pension refund. Refunds are only possible under specific conditions, which can be complex in practice. For this reason, many people rely on specialist services such as Germany Pension Refund to guide them through the refund process.
Who is eligible for a German pension refund?
Whether you can receive a refund from the German pension scheme depends on nationality, place of residence, the total contribution period, and whether a future pension right could still arise. A refund is possible only when it's clear you won't qualify for any pension in the future.
In general, a refund may be possible if:
- The applicant is a non-EU citizen (including Switzerland, the EEA, and the UK)
- They currently live outside the EU/UK
- 24 months have passed since their last pension contribution in Germany
In addition to these criteria, some nationalities are subject to specific rules based on bilateral social security agreements:
- Citizens of the USA, India, Australia, Canada, Brazil, Albania, Moldova, North Macedonia, the Philippines, South Korea, and Uruguay may only get a refund if their German pension record contains fewer than 60 contribution months.
- For Japanese nationals living in Japan, a refund is only possible if their total German contributions do not exceed 60 months. At the same time, Japanese nationals living abroad can claim a refund without this limit.
- Citizens of former Yugoslav countries are eligible for a refund before retirement age, only if they reside outside the former Yugoslav region.
- Israeli citizens only qualify for a refund before retirement age if they live outside of Israel.
- Citizens and non-Turkish residents of Turkey must wait 24 months after their last pension contribution to the Turkish government, as well as the German pension scheme, before they can apply for a refund.
For most non-EU citizens not listed above, no additional country-specific limitations apply.
When and how to apply for a pension refund
Former employees can submit a refund application 24 months after their last pension contribution. The refund request is submitted directly to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung. The basic steps include:
- Completing the official refund application form
- Providing proof of identity and current residence outside Germany
- Confirming that compulsory pension insurance has ended
- Submitting any additional documents requested by the pension authority
If the refund is approved, the payment is transferred to the applicant's bank account.
How much can you get back from the German pension system?
The amount of a German pension refund depends primarily on three factors: how long contributions were paid, the level of gross income subject to pension insurance, and the applicable contribution rates.
Since 2018, the contribution rate has been set at 9,3% of gross salary, capped at a monthly income threshold of €8.450 (as of 2026). The average pension refund received by German Pension Refund clients is around €15.000.
Why do many expats choose to enlist professional assistance?
The rules surrounding the German pension refund can be difficult to interpret without experience. Professional assistance can help clarify eligibility, what documents are needed, and ensure that applications are submitted at the right time.
No direct communication with the pension office is required; you can entrust the entire process to Germany Pension Refund. The agency covers everything from start to finish, ensuring fast claim processing and a hassle-free refund experience.
Get professional support with your refund application
Germany Pension Refund is a Berlin-based agency that has helped non-EU citizens worldwide reclaim their German pension contributions since 2015. Use the German pension refund calculator on their site to estimate your potential refund, and feel free to contact the team with any questions about your refund.