Social security number in Germany: who needs it and how to apply

The German social security number – officially the pension insurance number – stays with you for life. Under it, the Deutsche Rentenversicherung (DRV) records all contribution periods. It is not the same as the tax ID or the number on your health insurance card.

Structure

The number has twelve characters, e.g. 12 150385 M 007:

• two digits for the pension insurance body,
• six digits for the date of birth,
• the first letter of the birth surname,
• a two-digit serial number and a check digit.

Who needs it?

• Employees: your employer registers you; if there is no number, the DRV issues one automatically.
• Mini-jobbers: also via employer registration.
• The self-employed: if subject to pension insurance – e.g. as employee-like self-employed working essentially for one client (see false self-employment) – or if you want to pay voluntarily.

How to apply

It is free. Apply to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung online, in writing or at an advice centre. Have ready:

• ID card or passport,
• birth surname, place of birth and nationality,
• your address – the DRV sends the number there.

EU citizens not previously insured in Germany receive a new number. Contribution periods from your home country stay recorded there and are added up later for your pension.

Forgotten or lost?

It appears on your social security card or DRV notice, on payslips and on pension insurance letters. If all are lost, request a new notice from the DRV free of charge.

Social security number, tax ID, tax number

Three numbers, three purposes: the social security number for pensions, the tax ID for income tax, and the tax number issued to your business by the tax office. For health cover see health insurance for the self-employed.