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How Do I Know If I Qualify for a German Pension Refund as an Israeli Citizen?
According to the Social Security Agreement between Germany and Israel, your eligibility for a German pension refund as an Israeli depends on your current country of residence:
Individuals Living in Israel:
You won’t be able to get a refund before you retire. And even then, you can only claim a refund if your total period of contribution in Israel and Germany/other European Union (EU) countries combined is less than 5 years. Instead, you can apply for a retirement pension from Germany once you reach the legal retirement age (currently 67 years).
Individuals Living Outside Israel:
If you're an Israeli citizen residing abroad, you may be eligible for a pension refund, as long as you have completed the waiting period of at least 24 months since your last contribution in Germany and you live outside the EU or the United Kingdom.
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Check Your Eligibility – It’s 100% Free
Not sure whether your time in Germany makes you eligible for a pension refund? Use our quick and free eligibility tool. We’ll assess your case with no commitment and no charge. And yes—it’s completely free.
This service is only available to non-EU citizens.
Understanding Refund Timing and Residence Rules for Israelis
If you’re an Israeli citizen living outside of Israel, you need to focus on two things:
Timing: You can only apply for a pension refund 24 months after your last contribution month. The 24-month period starts from the first day of the last contribution month.
For example: If your last working day was October 1st, 2023, your last contribution month is considered October 2023 — so you can apply no earlier than October 1st, 2025.
Residence: At the time of applying, you must be living outside Israel, the EU, and the UK.
Can I Work in Europe Again After Requesting My Refund?
Yes. Applying for a pension refund does not prohibit or affect your future ability to work in the European Union.
Even if your pension refund request is still being reviewed:
You can legally return to Germany or another EU country for work.
Your previous refund application will not be canceled or penalized.
If you start contributing to the German pension system again, the process simply resets.
What Will My Total German Pension Refund Amount Be?
While every case is unique, the average German pension refund we handle is around €11,800.
Your pension refund amount depends on:
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The total of mandatory pension contributions deducted from your salary.
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50% of any voluntary pension contributions you may have made (e.g., freelance work)
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Any adjustments due to family law, such as equalization during divorce proceedings
Your potential refund is based on the pension contributions deducted from your salary while working in Germany.
Since 2018, German pension contributions have been calculated at a rate of 9.3% of your gross monthly earnings. However, this percentage only applies up to a fixed income ceiling known as the Beitragsbemessungsgrenze.
In 2025, the monthly cap in Germany is €8,050. Any income above this threshold is not subject to pension contributions, which means that if you earned more than €8,050 per month, the contribution was still calculated only on that capped amount.
What Are the Costs Involved in Claiming My Refund?
We work on a results-only basis, meaning you only pay once your pension refund has been successfully processed and paid out to you.
Our service fee is 9.75% of the total refund amount, and this already includes VAT as well as legal and administrative costs involved.
There are absolutely no upfront charges or hidden extras—you won’t be asked to pay anything until the refund is safely in your hands.
Do I Need a German Bank Account to Receive My Refund?
No, a German bank account is not required to receive your refund.
Here’s how the payment works:
Your refund is processed through a secure escrow account managed by a certified German law firm
After you confirm the periods and amounts listed in the official refund statement from the pension authority, your funds are transferred to the bank account of your choice, anywhere in the world, after deduction of our service fee.
You can choose your preferred currency, and even have the refund sent to an account held by a trusted third party.
This method speeds up transfers, minimizes conversion fees, and ensures your money is safe.
How Long Does It Take for Israeli Citizens to Receive a German Pension Refund?
Most Israeli citizens living abroad receive their refunds in under 8 weeks when applying through us.
Self-submissions can often take 6 months or longer, as individuals usually face delays due to paperwork errors or limited communication channels to the pension office.
Our dedicated team of specialists:
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Maintains direct communication with the German pension authorities
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Ensures your application is complete and compliant
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Handles follow-ups, verifications, and translations for you.
Claim Your Pension Refund Today
If you're an Israeli citizen currently living outside of Israel, and you have contributed to the German pension insurance, this may be your opportunity to recover thousands of euros.
With an average pension refund of nearly €12,000, there’s nothing to lose—and a lot to gain.
It only takes a few minutes to get started.
