Frequently asked questions

People who previously paid German statutory pension contributions and now live outside Germany may wish to explore a contribution-refund application. Nationality, residence, contribution history, voluntary-insurance rights and foreign insurance periods all affect the official decision, which DRV alone makes.

No. Leaving Germany does not automatically qualify a person for a contribution refund. DRV considers the complete circumstances of the individual case.

Nationality and ordinary residence can affect whether a refund application is available, whether voluntary insurance is possible, and how insurance periods in other countries are treated. They are relevant factors, not the only test.

In many cases, 24 calendar months must pass after relevant compulsory insurance ends. Later compulsory insurance can restart or affect this period. It should not be applied in isolation.

Later compulsory insurance, certain international insurance periods or a change in insurance status can affect the waiting period. DRV determines this from the official record.

With 60 German contribution months, a right to voluntary German pension insurance may exist for some nationalities. An early refund may then be unavailable. Fewer than 60 months does not automatically guarantee reimbursement.

No. The 60-month threshold can be important, but DRV also considers nationality, residence, voluntary-insurance rights and insurance in other countries. Every application is an individual case.

Foreign employment or insurance periods can affect the waiting period, responsible authority and assessment. They must be disclosed. More information is often needed before the official route is clear.

Under standard coordination rules, a lump-sum contribution refund is often not the usual route for EU/EEA, Swiss, UK or German citizens. Individual circumstances and bilateral rules can still matter. Contact DRV or a qualified pension adviser for an official assessment.

Yes. You can book a free introductory call and begin organising information. Whether an application can be filed yet depends on your insurance history and is decided by DRV.

For employees, reimbursement generally concerns the eligible employee-financed share of compulsory pension contributions. Only DRV can calculate and confirm the amount.

Normally, an employee receives only the eligible employee-financed share, not the employer-financed share.

Voluntary contributions are treated differently from compulsory employee contributions. Whether they can be reimbursed depends on the official record and is decided by DRV.

DRV determines the refundable amount according to statutory rules. No private provider can add interest or increase the statutory amount.

The amount depends on the official German insurance record, earnings and contribution history. We can help organise available information; only DRV can calculate the official amount.

A contribution refund generally extinguishes the German pension rights arising from the refunded periods. It should not be treated as “free money.”

In some cases, preserving pension rights may be more suitable than a refund. That is an individual pension-planning question. We do not give pension-investment advice; DRV or a registered Rentenberater can advise.

Taxation depends on the law of your current country and your personal circumstances. We do not provide tax advice. Consult a qualified tax adviser in your jurisdiction.

Form V0901 is commonly used for contribution-refund applications from abroad. The exact forms depend on your circumstances. We prepare the applicable documents from information you confirm.

A personal checklist may include identity documents, German insurance information, employment records, wage-tax certificates, deregistration evidence, proof of residence, bank details and information about insurance in other countries. Do not send originals or bank details through the first-contact form.

The Versicherungsnummer appears on social-insurance records and related notices. If you cannot find it, we can help you identify official routes to request the record. DRV holds the authoritative number.

Gaps are common and often need clarification. We help organise the information you have and respond to ordinary DRV requests for missing periods. DRV decides how gaps are treated.

A deregistration certificate is often useful but is not always the only possible evidence. The documents needed depend on the individual case.

Some items may need certification or a certified translation. Those external costs are not included in the service fee and would be discussed with you in advance.

Not necessarily a German account. DRV determines accepted payment details. International transfers may involve charges or destination restrictions. The 6% fee is calculated on the gross refund paid by DRV, before bank or currency-conversion charges.

After a service agreement is signed, documents are collected through a secure upload, separate from the first-contact form. We confirm receipt and tell you if something appears to be missing.

The responsible office depends on your record. We help identify the apparently responsible DRV office using official information. DRV’s own assignment remains decisive.

Yes. Routine administrative correspondence is a central part of the service. A power of attorney may be required. Legal representation in a dispute is excluded.

Where direct correspondence in your name is appropriate, a signed authorisation or power of attorney may be required. The exact arrangement is explained before work begins.

We explain what is being requested, tell you which information or documents are needed and prepare the administrative response within the agreed scope.

Yes. We explain ordinary administrative requests in clear English or German and help prepare a factual response for your approval.

No. We cannot accelerate DRV’s internal decision-making. What we can do is prepare the administrative package carefully, respond to ordinary requests, follow up appropriately and keep you updated.

If DRV pays no refund, no service fee is charged. Objections, appeals and litigation are outside the standard service. We will explain that boundary and recommend an appropriately qualified contact.

A free introductory call, written agreement, personal checklist, form preparation from client-confirmed information, completeness review, submission coordination, routine DRV correspondence through the first decision, and a plain-language explanation of that decision.

Legal advice or a binding eligibility opinion; objections, appeals or litigation; tax advice; advice on foreign pension rights; future monthly pension applications; and certified translation, notarisation, certification, courier and third-party charges.

Yes. The 15-minute introductory call is free and does not oblige you to use the service.

After DRV has paid a contribution refund to you, according to the service agreement. There is no upfront service fee.

The 6% is calculated on the gross refund actually paid by DRV, before bank or currency-conversion charges, subject to a minimum of €300 and a maximum of €1,300. All advertised fees are final consumer prices.

Minimum €300. Maximum €1,300.

No service fee is charged. External costs approved by you in advance remain payable separately.

Certified translations, notarisation, certification, postage or courier charges, and bank or currency-conversion charges. These are discussed and approved in advance where they arise.

Statutory withdrawal rights and any agreed cancellation terms are set out in the service agreement before work begins. An enquiry or free call is not a paid contract.

Documents are processed for the agreed service under our Privacy Policy, which explains storage, access, retention, deletion and data-protection rights. Sensitive documents are not collected through the first-contact form.

No. German Pension Refund is a privately operated, independent paid support service.

No. We do not have faster, privileged or official access. Eligibility, processing time and the refund amount are decided exclusively by DRV.

Yes, you may apply directly to Deutsche Rentenversicherung, and DRV does not charge an application-processing fee. Our service is optional.

DRV does not charge an application-processing fee. Our fee is for optional administrative support and routine communication assistance.

You may not need a paid service if you are comfortable with German forms and correspondence. Clients use us for personal help organising the application and managing routine correspondence from abroad.