Social Benefits Upon Return — Pension, Child Allowance, Insurance

Pension Insurance

Contribution Refund (outside EU/EEA)

If you permanently leave Germany and return to a country without a social security agreement:

• Waiting period: 24 months after departure
• Refund: Your paid employee contributions (50% of total contributions)
• Application: Form V0901 with the German Pension Insurance
• Attention: You will lose all pension claims in Germany!

EU/EEA Citizens and Countries with Agreements

• No contribution refund possible — instead, insurance periods are credited in your home country
• Your German pension will be sent abroad to you
• Agreements exist with: Turkey, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia

Child Allowance

• Ends upon deregistration from Germany
• Last claim: month of departure
• Overpaid child allowance must be repaid
• Report your departure to the family benefits office!

Health Insurance

Statutory Health Insurance (GKV)

• Membership ends upon deregistration and departure
• You will receive a deregistration certificate from your health insurance fund
• Important: Obtain travel health insurance for the transition period

Private Health Insurance (PKV)

• Contract must be terminated (3-month notice period)
• Surrender value of age provisions: usually not refundable

Liability Insurance and Other Insurance

• Cancel all insurance before departure
• Observe notice periods (usually 3 months until end of contract)
• Special termination right for relocation abroad

Taxes

• File a tax return for your last year in Germany
• Tax refund may be possible
• Tax identification number remains valid for life

Checklist Before Departure

• ✅ Deregister at the registration office
• ✅ Notify family benefits office (child allowance)
• ✅ Deregister from health insurance
• ✅ Cancel all insurance policies
• ✅ Keep your pension insurance number
• ✅ File your final tax return
• ✅ Clarify bank accounts (keep or close)
• ✅ Request mail forwarding at the post office (12 months, €28.90)

Status: March 2026. All information without warranty.