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German Pension Refund Eligibility for North Macedonian Citizens
If you are a citizen of North Macedonia and previously worked in Germany, you may be eligible to reclaim your employee pension contributions.
Before reaching German retirement age, you generally need to meet all of the following requirements:
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You currently live outside the EU and the UK.
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You have fewer than 60 months of German pension contributions.
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You are not currently subject to mandatory pension insurance in Germany, North Macedonia, Turkey or another country whose compulsory pension insurance is treated as equivalent, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia
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At least 24 months have passed since your last relevant period of mandatory pension insurance ended.
Working in North Macedonia Affects the Waiting Period
Under the social security agreement between Germany and North Macedonia, mandatory pension insurance in North Macedonia is treated in the same way as mandatory pension insurance in Germany for refund eligibility.
This rule applies regardless of your nationality. Therefore, even if you stopped working in Germany more than 24 months ago, you cannot claim a German pension refund while you are still subject to mandatory pension insurance in North Macedonia.
If your mandatory pension insurance in North Macedonia ends, the 24-month waiting period generally starts from that later date.
For North Macedonian citizens, mandatory pension insurance in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia or Turkey can have the same effect. Mandatory pension insurance in another EU member state may also affect the waiting period.
Exception: Participation only in Kosovo’s obligatory individual pension fund does not, by itself, prevent a German pension refund under the current DRV instructions.
The 60-Month Limit
North Macedonian citizens living outside the EU and the UK can generally only claim a refund if they have fewer than 60 months of German pension contributions.
This is not necessarily the same as having worked in Germany for less than five years. Every calendar month containing a German pension contribution counts as one contribution month, even if you worked for only part of that month.
Not sure whether you meet all the requirements? Our free eligibility check provides an initial, non-binding indication based on your answers. Every claim submitted through our service is reviewed and handled by our German partner law firm.
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.
If you are a non-European citizen, you can claim your pension insurance contributions back after moving out of Germany, provided you are entitled to do so.
Use our free reimbursement calculator to get an estimate of your possible premium reimbursement.
* Current rate since 2018, different in previous years
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.
Our company was founded in 2015 in Berlin, where the head office of the German pension is located. We therefore work in the immediate vicinity, which has many advantages for your German Pension Refund.
Our service fee is success-based 9.75%, no minimum, capped at €2,500 and due only after you have received your reimbursement. We do not charge upfront fees.
We provide a reliable and efficient German Pension Refund service. Sit back and relax until your refund has been deposited into your bank account.
Free Consultation
We provide Free Consultation - do not hesitate to claim your refund.
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.
