Did you work in Germany and pay into the pension system, but now you’re living abroad and wondering if you can get that money back? The good news: yes, you can — and it’s easier than you think!
If you’re a non-EU national who has contributed to the German pension system (Deutsche Rentenversicherung), you may be eligible for a full refund of those contributions. But the application process can be confusing, time-consuming, and bureaucratic. That’s where Fundsback comes in — a service I just found that simplifies the entire process and helps you get your money back hassle-free. FINALLY!
In this post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to claim your German pension refund step-by-step using Fundsback.
🧠 What Is the German Pension Refund?
When you work in Germany, your employer automatically deducts mandatory pension contributions from your gross salary. This applies to most salaried employees, and the payments go into the public pension system.
If you’re not from the EU, and you leave Germany permanently, you may qualify for a refund of your contributions after two years of leaving the EU/EEA area. This refund does not include your employer’s contributions, just yours.
Depending on how long you worked and how much you earned, this refund can be worth thousands of euros.
✅ Who Is Eligible for a German Pension Refund?
You can apply for a pension refund if:
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- You’re a non-EU/EEA national
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- You’ve left the EU/EEA for at least 2 years
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- You paid into the German pension system (often called DRV)
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- You’ve not yet claimed a pension from Germany
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- You do not plan to return to Germany or the EU/EEA in the near future
Some countries (like the US, Canada, Australia, etc.) have social security agreements with Germany, which may affect how and when you can claim your refund.
💡 If you’re unsure if your country has an agreement, Fundsback can help clarify this based on your nationality.
💡 Why Use Fundsback?
Germany’s pension refund process is notoriously bureaucratic. You’ll need to:
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- Fill out complex German forms
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- Provide translations, notarizations, and certified documents
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- Wait several months for processing
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- Handle communication with the Deutsche Rentenversicherung (DRV) in German
No, thank you! Fundsback removes all that hassle. Here’s what they offer:
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- Free eligibility check
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- Application support in English
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- Document preparation and translation
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- Handling all communication with German authorities
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- Transparent pricing — either a fixed one-time fee or commission-based
Most importantly, you only pay when you get your refund, which makes it a low-risk option.
📝 Step-by-Step: How to Get Your Refund with Fundsback
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Go to Fundsback’s eligibility form and enter some basic details, such as your nationality, work history in Germany, and current country of residence. This takes under 2 minutes.
Step 2: Submit Basic Info & Sign the Agreement
After you have provided Fundsback with your basic information, they will reach out to the German Pension Insurance on your behalf, free of charge, to retrieve your contribution history.
Based on this history, they can tell you exactly whether you are entitled to a refund — and if so, how much — or whether you qualify for a pension and from when.
You will then receive a quotation for their service. If you wish to proceed, you can easily agree via their online client hub. If you decide not to proceed, you will still benefit from having a clear overview of your pension refund or entitlement.
Step 3: Preparation of the necessary documents with the guidance of Fundsback
Fundsback gathers all the documents they can legally obtain on your behalf. For the few documents where your active assistance is required, they provide clear and detailed guidance to help you obtain them quickly and without stress.
Step 4: Fundsback Submits Your Application
Before submission, your complete file is manually reviewed by a Funds back specialist in the German pension refund matters
It is then sent to the correct branch of the German Pension Insurance, depending on your nationality, work history, and other factors.
Fundsback tracks your case, follows up regularly, and keeps you updated. If the German Pension Insurance declines your claim, Fundsback will challenge the decision without any additional cost and pursue your refund through all legally available measures.
Step 5: Receive Your Refund
If everything is correct and processed smoothly, you should typically receive your refund within about 2 months.
However, please note that there are different factors influencing this timeline. In some cases, the payout can happen even faster, in about 1 month, while in some rare cases it may take up to 6 months. On average, it takes 2 months, and the average payout amount is approximately €13,000.
🔁 What If You’re Already Outside Germany?
No problem! Fundsback was made for expats like you. Everything is done online, and you don’t need to be in Germany to apply.
You can start to prepare for the pension refund process, while you are still living in Germany — or after you have already moved abroad. It doesn’t matter where you are at the time you start the process.
📌 FAQs
Can I still apply if I’ve lost my German paperwork?
Yes! They can help track down your insurance number and employment history even if you’ve lost old payslips or documents.
What if my country has a social security agreement with Germany?
You might not qualify for a full refund, but Fundsback will advise you on your best options — in some cases, you can still receive partial refunds or pension benefits later.
How long does it take?
Typically, refunds are processed within about 2 months. Depending on various factors, this might be faster (around 1 month) or, in some cases, take up to 6 months. The average payout is around €13,000.
Is it safe?
Yes, Fundsback is an established German Legal Tech company operating under German law.
Since 2015, they have helped more than 3,000 customers successfully reclaim their pension contributions.
Start your free eligibility check now ⬇️
Getting your German pension refund doesn’t have to be stressful or confusing. With Fundsback, the process is smooth, affordable, and 100% in English.
If you’ve worked in Germany and moved away, you might be leaving thousands of euros unclaimed. Don’t wait — the longer you wait, the harder it gets to track down documents or claim your refund.
Please also note that since the refunded money is not invested while it is waiting to be claimed, it continuously loses value over time due to inflation. Therefore, it is financially advisable to start your refund process as early as possible.
👉 Start your free eligibility check with Fundsback now
You’ve got nothing to lose — and potentially thousands to gain.
