Germany (DE)
Germany is Europe's largest economy and most populous country — a federal parliamentary republic of 16 states (Bundesländer) celebrated for its engineering prowess, rich cultural heritage from Beethoven to Bauhaus, world-famous Oktoberfest and Riesling wines, and one of the most comprehensive social safety nets in the world.
Social Security in Germany
Benefits, contributions, and how the system works for expats.
Germany operates one of the world's most comprehensive social security systems, covering health, pension, unemployment, long-term care, and occupational accident risks through mandatory contributions. The system is funded by employee and employer contributions split equally. Beyond insurance, Germany also provides a range of income-support benefits for families, low-income households, and those temporarily unable to work. As an expat, you are automatically enrolled in most of these systems when you start working — and you are entitled to the same benefits as German citizens once you meet eligibility criteria.
Social Insurance Number
Sozialversicherungsausweis / Rentenversicherungsnummer (RVNR)
Your employer's HR department triggers the assignment automatically when you register for employment. The Deutsche Rentenversicherung sends your Sozialversicherungsausweis (a small card with your 12-digit number) by post to your registered address, usually within 4–6 weeks. If you are self-employed, apply directly at the Deutsche Rentenversicherung. Non-EU citizens should check their number on their first payslip — it appears as "Vers.-Nr." or "SV-Nummer."
- Payslip and tax filings
- Claiming unemployment benefit (Arbeitslosengeld)
- Pension contributions and retirement claims
- Elterngeld (parental allowance) applications
- Health insurance records
- Long-term care insurance records
Benefits & Support Payments
Unemployment Benefit I
Arbeitslosengeld I (ALG I)
Contribution-based unemployment benefit paid when you lose a job through no fault of your own. Replaces 60% of your last net salary (67% if you have children). Requires prior contributions.
Must have paid into Arbeitslosenversicherung for at least 12 months in the last 30 months. Must register as unemployed at the Agentur für Arbeit within 3 days of knowing your job will end. Must actively seek employment and accept reasonable job offers.
Register as unemployed (Arbeitslosmeldung) at your local Agentur für Arbeit — can be done online, by phone, or in person. Complete the Antrag auf Arbeitslosengeld. Processing takes 1–3 weeks. Benefit starts from the day you register, not the day you were let go.
Citizens' Allowance
Bürgergeld
Means-tested basic income support (replaced Hartz IV in January 2023) for those without sufficient income or savings to cover living costs. Covers rent (within limits), utility costs, and a standard monthly personal allowance.
Able-bodied adults of working age who cannot support themselves through work or other income. No asset test for the first year ("Karenzzeit"). Requires agreement to an integration plan with the Jobcenter.
Apply at your local Jobcenter (separate from the Agentur für Arbeit, though often in the same building). Online applications available at jobcenter-digital.de. Required documents: ID, Anmeldebestätigung, bank statements (last 3 months), rental contract, payslips if applicable.
Housing Benefit
Wohngeld
A rent subsidy for low-to-moderate income households who are NOT receiving Bürgergeld. Massively reformed in 2023: the eligibility threshold was raised significantly and more households now qualify. Covers part of your rent based on your income, household size, and the local housing reference rent.
Must be renting (or paying mortgage on owner-occupied housing). Combined household income must be below the Wohngeld threshold for your household size and city. Cannot be receiving Bürgergeld or ALG II simultaneously.
Apply at your local Wohngeldstelle (usually at the city/district Rathaus). Bring: rental contract, payslips, Anmeldebestätigung. Processing: 4–12 weeks. Benefits are paid retroactively from the application date.
Child Benefit
Kindergeld
Monthly cash benefit for each child under 18 (up to 25 if in education or training), paid regardless of parents' income.
Parent (or legal guardian) must reside in Germany and the child must live in the household. EU citizens qualify immediately. Non-EU citizens qualify if they hold a residence permit entitling them to work. Applied to the first, second, third, and all additional children at the same rate.
Apply at the Familienkasse at the Agentur für Arbeit (in person or online at arbeitsagentur.de). Backdated payments are available for up to 6 months — apply promptly.
Child Supplement
Kinderzuschlag
An additional payment on top of Kindergeld for working parents whose income covers their own living costs but falls short of covering the child's. Designed to keep families out of Bürgergeld.
Must already receive Kindergeld. Combined parental gross income must not exceed a set ceiling (~€4,500/month for two parents). Income must cover at least the parents' own needs (minimum ~€900/month gross for a couple).
Apply alongside Kindergeld at the Familienkasse. Use the Kinderzuschlag calculator at arbeitsagentur.de.
Parental Allowance
Elterngeld
Replaces part of the income lost when a parent reduces or stops work to care for a newborn. Germany allows both parents to take leave and encourages equal sharing (Partnermonate).
Parent (including adoptive parent) residing in Germany who reduces work to max 32 hours/week after birth. Income cap: combined taxable income must not exceed €175,000/year (2026).
Apply at the Elterngeldstelle of your Bundesland — most offer online applications (e.g. ElterngeldDigital in Berlin, NRW, Bayern). Apply within 3 months of birth (retroactive payment for those 3 months only). Processing: 6–12 weeks.
Maternity Benefit
Mutterschaftsgeld
Income replacement during the statutory maternity leave period (6 weeks before + 8 weeks after birth). Paid by your GKV (statutory health insurer) and partly by your employer.
Must be in employment (or recently employed) and a GKV member at birth. Self-employed women not in a GKV claim €210 total as a one-off from the Bundesamt für Soziale Sicherung.
Contact your GKV with your maternity certificate (Mutterschutzattest / ärztliches Zeugnis) from your doctor, confirming the due date. Your employer handles the calculation and top-up.
Sickness Benefit
Krankengeld
Income replacement from your statutory health insurer (GKV) when you are sick for more than 6 weeks. Employer pays full salary for the first 6 weeks (Entgeltfortzahlung).
GKV members employed for at least 4 weeks. Must have a valid Krankschreibung (sick note / eAU) from a doctor for the duration.
Your employer is automatically notified via the eAU (electronic sick note) system from day 1. Krankengeld begins automatically after the 6-week employer payment period. Your GKV contacts you.
Child Sick Days
Kinderkrankentage / Kinderkrankengeld
Paid days off to care for a sick child under 12. The GKV pays Kinderkrankengeld (~90% of net salary) for each day taken.
GKV member with a child under 12. Must obtain a Kinderkrankenschein (child sick note) from the child's Kinderarzt each time.
Notify employer and request the Kinderkrankentag. Submit the Kinderkrankenschein to your GKV.
Long-term Care Insurance
Pflegeversicherung
Mandatory insurance that funds care support (home care or residential care) when you can no longer manage daily activities independently. Distinct from health insurance.
All GKV and PKV members are also enrolled in Pflegeversicherung. Benefit is accessed when assessed as a Pflegegrad (care grade 1–5) by the Medizinischer Dienst.
Contribution is automatic via payslip. To access care benefits, apply to your Pflegekasse (usually your GKV administers this). Benefits include Pflegegeld (cash for informal care, €332–901/month depending on grade) and residential care subsidies.
State Pension
Gesetzliche Rentenversicherung
Contribution-based state pension paid from the Deutsche Rentenversicherung. Germany has a pay-as-you-go system — current workers fund current retirees.
Standard retirement age: 67 (for those born 1964 or later). Early retirement at 63 possible with 45 contribution years (Altersrente für besonders langjährig Versicherte). Reduced pension possible at 63 with 35 years (deducted 0.3% per month early).
Apply 3 months before your planned retirement date at the Deutsche Rentenversicherung (DRV). Applications online via RV-Online portal, by post, or at a DRV advice centre.
Contribution Overview
Social security contributions (Sozialabgaben) are split equally between employee and employer. For 2026: Health Insurance (GKV) ~17.5% total (employee ~8.75%), Pension (Rentenversicherung) 18.6% total (employee 9.3%), Unemployment (Arbeitslosenversicherung) 2.6% total (employee 1.3%), Long-term Care (Pflegeversicherung) 3.6% total (employee 1.8%; +0.6% surcharge if childless over 23). Contributions are capped at the Beitragsbemessungsgrenze: €69,750/year for health/care (2026), €101,400/year for pension/unemployment (2026).
International Social Security Agreements
Germany has bilateral social security agreements (Sozialversicherungsabkommen) with 50+ countries including the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, India, South Korea, and most of the EU. These agreements ensure: (1) you do not pay into both countries' systems simultaneously; (2) contribution years in both countries can be combined (Totalisierung) to meet minimum thresholds for pension or unemployment benefit; (3) you can receive a German pension while living abroad. Confirm your country's agreement at the Deutsche Rentenversicherung website.
All social security contributions appear as deductions on your German payslip (Gehaltsabrechnung / Lohnabrechnung). Your employer deducts them and pays them directly to the relevant insurers — you never handle the payments yourself. Self-employed and freelancers pay both the employee and employer share of pension contributions themselves, and must arrange their own health and care insurance.
Social Security
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