How to Get a German Pension Refund – NEWS 2026

Worked in Germany and left? You may be able to claim your pension contributions back. This 2026 guide covers every rule that decides your case: eligibility by citizenship, the 60-month limit, the 24-month waiting period, how much you get back, forms, where to send your application, deadlines, objections and survivor claims — each with official sources. Check your eligibility and estimate your refund in 60 seconds, then claim it yourself or let us handle everything.

When the 24-month waiting period for a German pension refund starts, what restarts it and the first day you can apply — with a free date calculator.

Deutsche Rentenversicherung is 16 carriers, not one office. Find the one responsible for your refund claim — and where to send your application.

Your German state pension refund and your company pension (bAV) are two separate claims — and the second is routinely forgotten. Once your DRV contributions have been refunded, § 3 (3) BetrAVG gives you the legal right to demand a lump-sum settlement of your vested company pension, whatever its size. This guide covers which schemes qualify, the 2026 small-entitlement thresholds, how the payout is calculated, tax when you live abroad, and the exact steps from refund to payout.

Why UK citizens and anyone living in the UK generally cannot get a German pension refund before retirement age after Brexit — and the three exceptions.

Widow's pension or contribution refund? What survivors abroad can claim from Germany in 2026 — eligibility, amounts, deadlines, and how to check in minutes.

Learn how to easily get your VBL contributions back after you have left the German public sector with our simple, expert guide for expats.

Learn how to get a social security number in Germany, including requirements for employees, freelancers, and students, and answers to frequently asked questions.