Health and social security
In Germany, the term "Social Security" covers five main categories:
- Health insurance
- Pension insurance
- Unemployment insurance
- Longterm care insurance
- Occupational accident insurance
Every employed person in Germany must to take out social security insurance. Upon commencement of employment, you will automatically pay into the social security system and be entitled to the same benefits as anywhere else in the EEA (the EU plus Norway and Iceland - abbreviation EEA). Within the EU there is a framework between member states which allows benefits to be paid out to entitled persons across borders and ensures that they receive the necessary health care in another EU member state.
If you are a so-called "geringfügig Beschäftigter" ("restricted employee"), i.e. you work less than 50 working days i.e. 2 months a year, or if you have a so called "€ 400-Job" (income of less than € 400 per month) you are not liable to pay German social security or tax. You must however still be registered for health insurance.
Health Care
Even if you have not yet taken up employment, you still have the option of taking up voluntary health insurance in Germany, and may apply for the form E104: this form is issued by the British Inland Revenue Service and provides proof that you have paid UK National Insurance for at least the 12 months prior to your departure from the UK. As part of your application the insurance provider in Germany may request additional details. If you have taken out health insurance in Germany, your insurance company will issue you with a health insurance card, which you have to take with you whenever you visit a GP, dentist or specialist.
As part of the EU-wide agreement, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) card guarantees free medical treatment in Germany (and other countries). To be eligible, you must obtain the EHIC before you leave the UK.
If you wish to take up permanent residence in Germany you must exchange your EHIC for a local health insurance scheme and obtain a "Krankenversicherungskarte" (health insurance card). Once you have taken up permanent employment and residence in Germany, you will be subject to German social insurance regulations and will no longer be covered by the EHIC.
If for any reason you cannot obtain or are not covered by the EHIC, and you are not paying German national insurance, you should consider taking out private medical insurance or you may have to pay the full charge for any medical treatment you receive.
Additionally, you should obtain the form E104, issued by the UK Inland Revenue. It provides proof you have paid UK insurance contributions prior to your departure to Germany and will assist you with sickness and maternity benefits in Germany and help you to register with the German health insurance scheme.
Upon commencement of employment in Germany you will get a social insurance card and insurance number (comparable to the NI number in the UK) issued by the pensions' authority. (For employees this authority is the "Bundesversicherungsanstalt für Angestellte", for workers the number and card are issued by the local "Landesversicherungsanstalt"). Your employer will be able to tell you where to apply for this number.
If you become unemployed in Germany, you should register with the local employment office or Arbeitsamt which will advise and guide you.
Pension
You may receive or be entitled to a German pension, either because you are a German national living abroad or have worked in Germany for a certain period of time, or you may want to find out if you are entitled to any pension or a refund for certain contributions you have paid to the German Social Security System at some point of your life. In this case the following organisations will be helpful for you:
If you have a question concerning entitlement to German pension or a refund for certain payments, you must contact the relevant insurance provider in Germany.
If you have been working as an employee in Germany, all records and files are kept at the "Bundesversicherungsanstalt für Angestellte". Please contact them under the address below:
Bundesversicherungsanstalt für Angestellte
10704 Berlin
Germany
Tel.: 0049 – 30 – 865-1
Fax: 0049 – 30 – 865-272 40
If you have been a manual worker in Germany, you will need to get in touch with the competent "Landesversicherungsanstalt", the insurance carrier in the Federal State you have been working.
A list of addresses of these insurance carriers can be obtained at the German Embassy in London.
