As a citizen of Tunisia who has experienced working in Germany, familiarizing yourself with the criteria for obtaining a pension refund is essential. Your payments into the German pension system are a significant element of the country’s social welfare framework. However, navigating the process to reclaim these contributions upon leaving Germany, especially understanding the requirements for nationals of Tunisia, can appear daunting.
This article goes into the crucial details of the eligibility for a Pension Refund for the citizens of Tunisia.
Whether you’re contemplating requesting a refund of your German pension or seeking to understand the social security arrangements between Germany and Tunisia better, this guide aims to offer clear insights and guidance to assist you in making informed decisions about your financial future after departing from Germany.
German Pension Refund Eligibility for Citizens of Tunisia
As an expat living and working in Germany, you will contribute approximately 9% of your monthly taxable income to Deutsche Rentenversicherung, the official pension scheme in Germany. It’s important to understand that this contribution is a shared responsibility, with your employer matching your payments into the social security system.
So what happens when you stop working in Germany and leave? Can they be claimed back?
The Social Security Code (§210 SGB VI) and the Social Security Agreement between Germany and Tunisia set out the guidelines for claiming a refund of your pension contributions from the German pension insurance scheme. This agreement, which sets out the eligibility criteria and the procedure for applying for a refund of your contributions, is tailored to the needs of nationals of Tunisia.
Understanding the procedure for claiming a refund of your German pension contributions is key as you plan for your future post-Germany. As a citizen of Tunisia, you may be eligible for a refund, provided you fulfill certain conditions.| When planning your future after leaving Germany, it is important to understand the procedure for claiming a refund of your German pension contributions. As a citizen of Tunisia, you may be entitled to a refund if you meet certain conditions.}
Eligibility for pension refund: General criteria
When you leave Germany, you are generally entitled to a refund of your German pension contributions if
a) you are not entitled to make voluntary contributions to the German pension scheme (freiwillige Versicherung) from your new place of residence.
and
b) at least 24 months have elapsed since your last contribution to the German statutory pension scheme.
The possibility of voluntary insurance (a) depends on the social security agreement between Germany and your home country.
Generally speaking, you are not entitled to get your German Pension Contributions refunded if
a) You are entitled to or are already receiving a German pension.
b) You can make statutory pension contributions or are covered by compulsory insurance in Germany.
c) You have the option of making voluntary contributions to the German pension scheme (voluntary insurance).
In short: The entitlement to a German pension refund for nationals of Tunisia
As a national of Tunisia, you are eligible for a refund of your German pension contributions only if your employment in Germany lasted less than 5 years (meaning you have made pension contributions in Germany for no more than 59 months) and at least 24 months have elapsed since your most recent pension contribution in Germany.
Intergovernmental Social Security Agreements
The exchange of social security benefits between the two countries is governed by bilateral agreements between Germany and Tunisia.
In particular, these agreements state that as a citizen of Tunisia who is resident for tax purposes in Germany, you are entitled to a German old-age pension after a contribution period of 60 months.
With regard to voluntary contributions to the German pension insurance scheme, the Social Security Agreement stipulates that if you are resident in the EU or the UK, you will be given the option of continuing to make contributions to qualify for a statutory pension in Germany.
Furthermore, if you have already made contributions for at least 60 months, you are allowed to continue contributing to the German pension system from anywhere in the world.
This means that if you live in the EU/UK, or if you have paid into the German pension system for at least 60 months, you will not be eligible for a Pension Refund. This is because you are entitled to a German pension and the agreement allows you to make voluntary contributions even if you do not benefit directly from them.
If you do not meet the pension eligibility criteria and live outside the EU or UK, you may be eligible for a pension refund 24 months after your last contribution.
Claim your Pension Refund with our Free Eligibility Check
When navigating the terrain of German pension refunds, it becomes clear that processing times can vary considerably. They can often stretch from several months to more than six months. For those seeking a quicker process, specialized services offer an accelerated route.
Additionally, the Pension Refund is made easy through our online tool in the form of a free eligibility check. These instruments are designed to evaluate your eligibility for a Pension Refund seamlessly and estimate the potential refund amount. The pension check ensures a transparent and straightforward process for examining your pension insurance records with the German pension fund and initiating a Pension Refund.
