[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_slider show_arrows=”off” show_pagination=”off” _builder_version=”4.12.0″ header_text_color=”#ffffff” body_text_color=”#f3f3f3″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding_tablet=”|||” custom_padding_phone=”|||” link_option_url_new_window=”on” hover_enabled=”0″ box_shadow_style=”preset6″ box_shadow_blur=”10px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.1)” show_inner_shadow=”on” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_slide heading=”Social Security Number” button_text=”Free Quote” button_link=”https:\/\/www.mygermanexpert.com\/go\/h131″ url_new_window=”on” image=”https:\/\/www.mygermanexpert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Social-Security.png” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”4.12.0″ custom_button=”on” hover_enabled=”0″ border_width_all_image=”2px” border_color_all_image=”#ffffff” box_shadow_style_image=”preset1″ box_shadow_style_button=”preset1″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” sticky_transition=”on” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Apply now for health insurance to get your social security number.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_slide][\/et_pb_fullwidth_slider][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ background_color=”#f3f3f3″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_color=”#f3f3f3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.0.7″ text_font_size=”16px” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
\nThe German Social security covers health insurance, pension scheme, unemployment benefit, accident and long-term care insurance.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.6.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#8dc153″ global_module=”18434″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.6.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.6.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_testimonial portrait_url=”https:\/\/www.mygermanexpert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/myGermanExpert-Blog.png” quote_icon_color=”#8dc153″ quote_icon_background_color=”#ffffff” _builder_version=”4.9.9″ _module_preset=”default” author_font=”|700|||on||||” background_color=”#8dc153″ background_layout=”dark” border_width_all=”2px” border_color_all=”#ffffff” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Our Health Insurance Service Explained<\/h2>\n
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Public or Private Health Insurance Plans for Employees, Freelancers, Students & Visa Holders.<\/h4>\n
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In brief<\/u>:<\/p>\n
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- If you are employed and earn less than 64,350\u20ac a year, you have no choice but choose Public Health Insurance – Sign up with TK for free now!<\/strong><\/span><\/a>\u00a0[Add-on: Dental Insurance<\/strong><\/span><\/a>].<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- If you are employed and earn more than 64,350\u20ac a year, we recommend you to choose Private Health Insurance. Get a free quote either from Feather<\/strong><\/a><\/span> or Ottonova<\/strong><\/span><\/a> (our favourite providers).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- If you are unemployed, self-employed or currently looking for a job and you’ve just moved to Germany from a non-EU country, then you should sign up for Expat Health Insurance (limited to 5 years). Once you have a steady income, you can easily cancel and switch to Public or Private Health Insurance.\u00a0Sign up now either via Feather<\/a><\/strong><\/span> or Ottonova<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- If you are already a freelancer working in Germany with a steady income (more than 5,400\u20ac a year), take out Private Health Insurance. This is often the only solution you have. Get a free quote either from Feather<\/strong><\/a><\/span> or Ottonova<\/strong><\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- If you need health insurance to get a visa or residence permit then we recommend that you take out Expat Health Insurance. You can cancel anytime. Once you find a job in Germany, you can easily cancel and switch to public health insurance. Sign up now either via Feather<\/a><\/strong><\/span> or Ottonova<\/a><\/strong>.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- If you are a university student under the age of 30, be sure to take out Public Health Insurance. TK has an incredibly affordable offer made just for students so be sure to take advantage of it! Sign up here<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.\u00a0[Add-on: Dental Insurance<\/strong><\/span><\/a>].<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- If you are in any other situation (job seeker, au pair, holiday workers, language student, guest researcher, tourist, etc.), we recommend that you take out Expat Health Insurance. This will not only make sure that you are covered in case of an accident, but it will also fulfil the legal requirement for living in Germany. You can switch easily to Public or Private Health Insurance at a later stage. Sign up now either via Feather<\/a><\/strong><\/span> or Ottonova<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- Extra<\/span>:\n
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- Get a Private Liability Insurance<\/strong><\/span><\/a>: It protects you against personal & property damage (third-party liability).<\/li>\n
- Take out Home Contents Insurance<\/strong><\/span><\/a>: All your belongings (home contents) are insured in your main residence.<\/li>\n
- Sign up for a Dog Liability Insurance<\/strong><\/span><\/a>: It covers you against physical or material damages your dog might cause to others.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”3.25″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb use_icon=”on” font_icon=”%%305%%” use_circle=”on” circle_color=”#f3f3f3″ use_circle_border=”on” use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”120px” _builder_version=”4.0.7″ text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.12.0″ background_color=”#f3f3f3″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”40px|30px|40px|30px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Social Security Number<\/h1>\n
(Rentenversicherungsnummer – Sozialversicherungsnummer)<\/p>\n
By law, all employees<\/strong> in\u00a0Germany have to contribute to the social security system \u2013 it is mandatory<\/span>!
Contributions to the statutory pension scheme are deducted from salaries at the source.<\/p>\nWhen taking up employment, your employer needs to sign you up with a collection agency for social security contributions. Depending on your type of employment, the relevant agency is either a statutory health insurance firm (Gesetzliche Krankenkasse<\/a>), the artists\u2019 social insurance (K\u00fcnstlersozialkasse<\/a>) or the central agency for mini-jobs (Minijob-Zentrale<\/a>).<\/p>\n
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Freelancers<\/strong>, on the other hand, aren\u2019t obliged to take part in the German social security system.<\/p>\n
If you are self-employed and want to contribute to the social security system that will entitle you to a range of benefits (i.e. retirement payments, accident insurance,…), then you will have to find a private health insurance coverage for unemployment, accident and pension insurance<\/span>.<\/p>\n
Self-employed people are not subject to compulsory statutory health insurance and therefore come under private health insurance unless they were insured under the statutory system before entering self-employment.<\/p>\n
The Social Security Number<\/strong> (SSN) is administered and assigned by the German statutory pension insurance (Deutsche Rentenversicherung<\/a>), so the relevant collection agency will transfer your data to the pension insurance administration and apply for a personal social security number (Sozialversicherungsnummer) on your behalf.<\/p>\n
You should get a letter by post with a social security number\u00a0within two to four weeks<\/span> after your employer registered you with the relevant agency. If this isn\u2019t the case, you will need to contact the Deutsche Rentenversicherung (German pension office) or, in some cases, your health insurance provider in order to obtain your personal social security number.<\/p>\n
The 12-digit social security number<\/strong> consists of letters and numbers and it is used for personal identification within the social security system. The number remains the same throughout your whole life \u2013 even when you change employment or health insurance provider.<\/p>\n
Moreover, your social security number is directly linked to your personal pension account. This pension account contains the history of all the contributions you’ve paid towards the state pension insurance. Based on that information, your future retirement pension will be calculated.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″ background_color=”#8dc153″ custom_padding=”5px||5px|” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.0.7″ background_color=”#8dc153″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.7″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”The German social security is a statutory insurance system and consists of five insurances:” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”%%221%%” _builder_version=”4.0.7″ background_color=”#f3f3f3″ text_orientation=”center” custom_padding=”30px|30px|30px|30px|false|false” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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- Public\u00a0health insurance (in case you get sick)\n<\/li>\n
- Long-term care insurance (in case you get old or sick, and you need someone to take care of\u00a0you)\n<\/li>\n
- Pension insurance (retirement income)\n<\/li>\n
- Accident insurance (in case you have an accident at work)\n<\/li>\n
- Unemployment insurance (in case you get unemployed)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.0.7″ background_color=”#f3f3f3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb use_icon=”on” font_icon=”%%305%%” use_circle=”on” circle_color=”#ffffff” use_circle_border=”on” use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”120px” _builder_version=”4.0.7″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.0.7″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”40px|30px|40px|30px|false|false” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
How to get a Social Security Number in Germany?<\/h2>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.12.0″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”40px|30px|40px|30px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
with a…<\/p>\n
Public Health Insurance<\/h1>\n
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Not a member yet<\/span>?<\/strong><\/p>\n
You need to get a social security number (Sozialversicherungsnummer<\/em>) if you want to\u00a0work in Germany. Your employer will ask you to apply for health insurance<\/span> (sometimes they do it on your behalf) in order to get this number on your first day at work. You cannot get paid without having a social security number!<\/p>\n
Note that you must have a registered address in Germany<\/span> to apply for a German social security number. You cannot apply for your German social security number from abroad.\u00a0The social security number can only be sent to a German address, i.e. the address where you are officially registered.<\/p>\n
Find more details about the public health insurance on this page<\/a>.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
Already a member<\/span>?<\/strong><\/p>\n
In case you’re already\u00a0covered by statutory health insurance (i.e. TK or AOK) but haven’t\u00a0received your social security number yet,\u00a0you could contact the Deutsche Rentenversicherung<\/span> (DRV) using this Online Form<\/a><\/strong>. It’s a simple form and, most importantly, it is FREE.<\/p>\n
1. Fill in the online form and you will get your\u00a0Sozialversicherungsnummer <\/em>forwarded to your registered German address within 2 to 4 weeks<\/span>. The online form is in German, so follow the instructions below to complete it:<\/p>\n
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- Access the Online Form<\/a><\/strong> on the German pension office website,<\/li>\n
- tick the box “Neuausstellung eines Sozialversicherungsausweises wegen Verlust \/ Zerst\u00f6rung \/ Unbrauchbarkeit<\/em>“,<\/li>\n
- insert your insurance number in the field “Versicherungsnummer<\/em>” (your insurance number can be found on your health insurance card),<\/li>\n
- add your details in the last section: first name (Vorname<\/em>), last name (Familienname<\/em>) & birth name (Geburtsname<\/em>) if applicable,<\/li>\n
- click on “Absenden<\/em>” to submit your request,<\/li>\n
- and be patient, it could take up to 4 weeks to get the so-called\u00a0Sozialversicherungs\u00adausweis<\/em> with your social security number by post (see image at the bottom of this page).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
2. Alternatively, you could contact your public health insurance fund<\/span> and ask them for a certificate of\u00a0insurance\u00a0<\/span>(in German:\u00a0Versicherungsbescheinigung<\/em>). The social security number will be indicated on that document. To request it, follow the instructions below:<\/p>\n
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- Go to your health insurance website and access your personal area (i.e. Meine TK or Meine AOK),<\/li>\n
- once logged in, search for “Versicherungsbescheinigung<\/em>” (certificate of insurance),<\/li>\n
- depending on your insurance provider, you will either have to click on “herunterladen<\/em>” (Download) or send an email to your insurer to request your social security number.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
3. Another way to get your SSN is by contacting directly the Deutsche Rentenversicherung by email or by phone<\/span>. Choose your local German pension office here<\/a> to obtain the contact details.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, they mainly work in German, so it could be challenging! If you decide to go that road, give them your date & place of birth, your full name and your current registered address, and you will receive the\u00a0Sozialversicherungs\u00adausweis<\/em> with your social security number by post (see image at the bottom of this page).<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.mygermanexpert.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Insurance-cards.jpg” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.12.0″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” hover_enabled=”0″ box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}” url_new_window=”on” url=”https:\/\/www.mygermanexpert.com\/go\/h136″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/www.mygermanexpert.com\/go\/h136″ url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Public Health Insurance Application (Free)” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.12.0″ hover_enabled=”0″ box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_divider color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” _builder_version=”4.0.7″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_divider color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” _builder_version=”4.0.7″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.12.0″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”40px|30px|40px|30px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
with a…<\/p>\n
Private Health Insurance<\/h1>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
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Not a member yet<\/span>?<\/strong><\/p>\n
If you are not a member of the German social security system<\/span> because you are not part of the public health insurance system or because you don\u2019t have yet private insurance, then you will have to find a private insurance coverage for unemployment, accident and pension insurance<\/span>. Find more details on this page<\/a>.<\/p>\n
For questions about German social security (Sozialversicherung<\/em>), you should always address the German pension office (Deutsche Rentenversicherung). Check out the English section of the German pension office website here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
Already a member<\/span>?<\/strong><\/p>\n
1. If you already have private health insurance and need to apply for your social security number in Germany,\u00a0you could contact the Deutsche Rentenversicherung<\/span>\u00a0using this Online Form<\/a><\/strong>. It is FREE.<\/p>\n
Fill in the online form and you will get your\u00a0Sozialversicherungsnummer <\/em>forwarded to your registered German address within 2 to 4 weeks<\/span>. The online form is in German, so follow the instructions below to complete it:<\/p>\n