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German Pension Refund Eligibility for Canadian Citizens

If you are a Canadian citizen who has worked in Germany and paid into the German pension system, you could be eligible to receive a refund on your contributions.

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Are Canadian Citizens Eligible for a German Pension Refund?

The German Social Code governs the refund process for the German pension system, while the Social Security Agreement between Germany and Canada specifies how these regulations apply to Canadian citizens.

Under this agreement, Canadian citizens living outside the European Union that have not qualified for a German retirement pension may be eligible for a refund.

Canadian citizens could request a refund of their German pension contributions if they worked in Germany for less than five years. This eligibility also includes periods during which unemployment benefits or maternity/paternity payments were received.

To qualify, a minimum of 24 months must have passed since you last contributed to the German pension office.

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Check Your Eligibility – It’s Completely Free

If you’re uncertain about your eligibility for a refund as a Canadian citizen, you can use our no-cost eligibility check. Unlike other providers who charge for this service, we make it available free of charge. Regardless of the outcome, we’ll give you a clear explanation of your circumstances.

Find out today if you’re entitled to a refund of your German pension insurance contributions – at no charge.

This service is offered exclusively for non-EU citizens.

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How can I tell if I've completed 60 months of contributions?

Even if you only work one day in a month, the German pension office considers this as one full month of contributions.

For example, if you only worked one day in April, that one day is considered your entire contribution for the month of April.

Contributions from employment, voluntary contributions from freelancing, and contributions credited for periods of unemployment and parenting count towards this limit.

When can I return to work in Europe after submitting a refund application?

As a Canadian citizen, given you were eligible to claim a refund, you are free to start working in Europe immediately after submitting your refund application. Starting work in Europe will not impact the processing of your refund, even if your claim has not yet been finalized.

What is the expected amount of my German pension refund?

The average German pension refund for Canadians is approximately €11,800, although the exact amount will vary based on your personal circumstances. Refundable contributions can include:

100% of the pension contributions deducted from your salary while employed in Germany.
50% of voluntary contributions, such as those from freelance or contract work.
Adjustments to contributions that were either increased or reduced due to pension equalization during a divorce.

Since 2018, pension contributions have been set at 9.3% of gross earnings, up to a monthly income threshold (Beitragsbemessungsgrenze). The current cap in Germany is €8,050, with earnings above this limit exempt from pension contributions. To get an estimate, use our free refund calculator.

What costs are involved in claiming my refund?

At Germany Pension Refund, our success-based model means you only pay a fee once your refund has been receiving into your bank account.

We charge a one-time fee of 9.75% of your total refunded amount. This is inclusive of VAT and any legal fees. There are no additional upfront payments or hidden costs.

Do I need a German bank account to receive my refund?

A German bank account is not required. Refunds are processed through an escrow account managed by a German law firm, ensuring a secure and efficient process.

This method helps speed up the transfer of funds while reducing transaction and currency conversion fees.

Your refund will be sent directly to your preferred bank account in the currency of your choice. The account doesn’t need to be in Germany and can even be in someone else’s name.

How long does it take to receive a Canada German pension refund?

We understand that our customers are looking for quick refunds.

This is why our process has been streamlined to take less than 8 weeks on average.

This is significantly faster than the 6 months it takes the German pension office to process self-submitted claims.

Our deep knowledge of German administrative procedures means we can simplify the refund process for our customers. We also have close ties with German law firms, who have direct access to the German pension office, ensuring faster processing times.

Maryam Berijanian

With our streamlined process and professional advice, it takes less than 5 minutes to get started. With an average refund amount of €11,800, there’s nothing to lose.

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Read more information about working in Germany and Canada from the Deutsche Rentenversicherung.

Canad Agreemet