Pension refund for Indians

If you’re an Indian who has worked in Germany for a short term (less than 5 years) and wondering how to get your pension contributions back, this guide will help you navigate the process.

Eligibility for Refund

To be eligible for a pension refund, you must meet all of these criteria:

• You haven’t qualified for a German retirement pension yet (qualification requires 60 monthly contributions)
• At least 24 months have passed since your last contribution
• You are no longer residing in the EU

For detailed information, you can refer to the Social Security Agreement between Germany and India

How much refund can you get?

You’ll receive a refund of your employee contributions (your part of the payments). You can find your contribution amounts in your annual tax certificate (Lohnsteuerbescheinigung für <Year>).

For a rough estimate, you can use this formula:

Refund = Average gross monthly salary * number of months worked * 9.3/100

Note: This is a simplified calculation. The actual refund amount may vary due to factors like contribution caps on high salaries and other variables.

How to apply for a German pension refund?

1. Download and complete the appropriate forms from the Application for reimbursement of contributions when staying abroad (Antrag auf Beitragserstattung bei Aufenthalt im Ausland)

2. Prepare the following documents:
   • Completed application form V0901 (available in English)
   • Official proof of nationality (included in form V0901)
   • Payment declaration for international transfer (included in form V0901)
   • Any additional documents specified in the form for your specific case
3. Submit your application to the German pension office that corresponds to your last German residence:
   • By postal mail with tracking number
   • Through de-mail
   • Via regular email

You can find the latest forms and information on the official Deutsche Rentenversicherung website