Many Ukrainians who were forced to move to Germany due to the war are facing the question of how to receive a pension in this country. This is particularly of interest to those who have reached or are approaching retirement age. Experts explain the conditions that must be met to be eligible for pension payments in Germany and whether Ukrainian work experience is taken into account.
This is reported by Finway
German Work Experience: What Ukrainians Need to Know
Lawyer Olga Brus notes that there is no agreement on the mutual recognition of insurance periods between Ukraine and Germany. This means that periods of work completed in Ukraine are not considered when applying for a pension in Germany. To be eligible for pension payments, a Ukrainian must be officially employed in Germany for at least five years and regularly pay contributions to the country’s Pension Fund.
To retire in Germany, one must make insurance contributions for at least five years. In other words, to receive a German pension, Ukrainians need to be officially employed for five years and pay contributions to the German Pension Fund, – explains the lawyer.
Retirement Age and Payment Amounts in Germany
The retirement age in Germany is gradually increasing. In 2024, it will exceed 65 years, and in 2025, it will be over 66 years. By 2031, the retirement age is expected to reach 67 years. It is important to know that there is no clearly defined minimum pension in Germany – the amount of payments is calculated individually for each person based on the contributions made and the duration of the insurance period.
There is no separate pension for refugees from Ukraine in Germany. Therefore, Ukrainians who plan to stay in this country must officially find employment and ensure at least five years of insurance contributions. Only under this condition can they claim pension payments after reaching the established retirement age.