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HOME / CONTRACTING COUNTRIES / German Pension Insurance Claim | Australia
German Pension Refund Eligibility |Australia
The information below is for Australian citizens who previously worked in Germany and contributed to the German pension system.
Germany - Australia German Pension Refund | All Rights Reserved
German Pension Refund Eligibility for Australian Citizens
As an Australian Expat, while you were employed in Germany, each month a percentage of your gross salary was paid to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung - the statutory German Pension Insurance - as a pension insurance contribution for your retirement pension.
But what happens to your contributions now, after you have left Germany? Can you get that money back?
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The German Social Security Code (§210 SGB VI) regulates the reimbursement of pension contributions from the German Pension Insurance in general, while the Social Security Agreement between Germany and Australia defines how this law applies to you.
Rule of Thumb For Australians:
As an Australian you can be reimbursed only if you have worked in Germany for less than 5 years and since your last contribution in Germany 24 months have passed.
Can Australian Citizens Claim a Refund of their German Pension Contributions?
After leaving Germany you are generally eligible for a German pension refund, if...
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a) you are not allowed to keep paying German Pension contributions (voluntary insurance) where you currently live, and...
b) at least 24 months have passed since the last pension contribution payment in Germany.
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If you are allowed to pay voluntary insurance (a), is defined by the agreement with your home country.
Office building Rentenversicherung, Berlin | The German statutory pension insurance | All Rights Reserved
Are Australian Citizens Allowed to Pay Pension Insurance Contributions After Leaving Germany?
The Social Security Agreement* between Germany and Australia answers that question:
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If you still live in the EU or the United Kingdom, you are allowed to keep paying pension contributions to Germany.
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Also, if you have already paid contributions for at least 60 months you are allowed to keep paying German Pension Contributions from anywhere in the world where you live. In that case you cannot get a refund, because you have qualified for old age pension from Germany.
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In other words:
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As an Australian citizen, you can only get a pension refund if you have not qualified for retirement pension yet, and you live outside of the EU / United Kingdom.
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*Read Agreement between Germany and Australia on Social Security.
Social Security Agreement:
Based on the Social Security Agreement between Germany and Australia you are allowed to grow your German pension from anywhere in the world (voluntary insurance) after leaving Germany if you have qualified for old age pension.
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As a Australian Expat in Germany, after 60 monthly contributions you qualify for a retirement pension.
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If you have not qualified, but still live in the EU or the United Kingdom, you are allowed to pay towards the 60 months to qualify, too.
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If you have not qualified for pension, and you live outside the EU or the United Kingdom, you could be eligible for a pension refund, 24 months after the last contribution was paid.
​How Long Does a German Pension Refund for Australian Citizens Take?
The German pension authority is supposed to provide a decision on your claim within 6 months from submission.
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If after 6 months you have not received a decision (Bescheid) from the authorities in Germany, our specialists will take legal action based on the Social Court Act (§88 SGG) and sue the authority for inaction. The court will then force the pension office to act.
How We Speed Up the Refund Process:
GermanyPensionRefund.com is able to provide you with the fastest average process times of 8 weeks while others have to wait six months or longer.
A German law firm escrow account will be provided, which makes your refund process most Easy, Quick, and Secure. The correspondence happens within days, and our legal specialists know exactly how to speed up the process for you.
How Much Can I Claim From My German Pension Insurance?
While you were employed in Germany, 9.3%* was deducted from your gross salary up to the income threshold and transferred to the German Pension Insurance.
As an Australian citizens you can claim your pension insurance contributions based on the rules explained above.
Use our free reimbursement calculator to get an estimate of your possible premium reimbursement.
Duane McGregor
MAR/06/2024
Complete transparency, great communication, frequent updates and all questions answered...Brilliant service!
Can’t thank them enough! If I’m honest I was skeptical at the start cause I didn’t know much about the company but everything from day one til the final transfer was amazing. Complete transparency, great communication, frequent updates and all questions answered. The process can be lengthy but I was kept updated the whole time. I can’t recommend them enough. Brilliant service!
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Fiona McMartin
MAR/04/2024
Process is reasonably straight forward...makes getting your pension back super simple
Great company to work with. The process is reasonably straight forward alongside professional guidance and makes getting your pension back super simple. Highly recommended.
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Anna-Marie Elliot
FEB/02/2024
One of the best companies that I have ever dealt with!
One of the best companies that I have ever dealt with! I was initially very hesitant about giving my personal details and bank details to a stranger, as there are so many scams going around, but they are definitely legitimate. Christian Kliem did an amazing job! At all times he was very friendly, helpful and efficient. Everything went smoothly and I received my refund. Even though I was only entitled to a very small refund, at all times I felt like a VIP client. I can highly recommend Germany Pension Refund to anyone who would like to have their German pension refunded.
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Peter Papadopoulos
DEC/19/2023
A+ experience ...fantastic providing great communication
Honestly an A+ experience. I put off getting my pension back for so long due to the amount of effort it would require (not to mention the language barrier!).
Johannes was fantastic providing great communication and explaining how it all works. Even checking in once a month to let me know of the current status - all the way right up to me received the payment.
Thanks again!
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Hosky
DEC/18/2023
Processed in under two months at a reasonable cost
Highly recommended. Refund was processed in under two months and at a reasonable cost. Thanks Christian and the team!
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Tim Holman
DEC/03/2023
Very happy with the result
Extremely friendly, trustworthy and helpful team. The process took less than two and a half month. I definitely recommended Germany Pension Refund.
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Joanna Cush
NOV/27/2023
Extremely pleased
Extremely pleased with the service. Prompt replies, clear instructions and kept up to date through the process
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Nicolas Moessner
OCT/17/2023
Totally legit..refund in very timely manner
This firm is totally legit, knows the intricacies of the German system, is extremely nice and got my refund in a very timely manner. Johannes took very good care of my case. Nicolas
Read on
OCT/14/2023
Really satisfied with their work
Wonderful, they solved my request within a couple of months. I am really satisfied with their work.
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Tegan Reeves
OCT/10/2023
Made navigating German bureaucracy a breeze
Johannes was responsive and helpful throughout the entire process, and made navigating German bureaucracy a breeze!
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Adarsh Dhingra
OCT/10/2023
The whole process was very smooth from the beginning
My money transfer request was processed in around 2 months and the whole process was very smooth from the beginning. Thanks to Johannes and the team for such a fast and easy processing.
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OCT/09/2023
Seamless process...Fair rates
Absolutely seamless process. Fair rates and great communications. Highly recommended.
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Read more about working in Germany and Australia directly from the Deutsche Rentenversicherung.
German Pension Contribution Refund
Our service is Easy, Quick and Secure.
Thanks to our years of experience, we know exactly how to speed up the processing time of your German Pension Refund and we make sure that you enjoy a smooth, pleasant, and uncomplicated premium refund.
We are here for you. Read more
Free Eligibility Check
We provide Free Eligibility check - do not hesitate to claim your refund.
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Feel free to Contact Us regarding your German pension refund, eligibility, residency, waiting period, or any other questions that might arise reading through our refund information. We are here for you.
