Partenariat Cabinet d'avocats
🇦🇺 German Pension Refund for Australian Citizens
Did you work and pay into Germany’s pension system while living there?
If you’re an Aussie now back home (or anywhere outside the EU/UK), you could be owed thousands of euros—no hassle, no German paperwork nightmares, and no risk. Our team in Berlin has helped Australians like you get their money back since 2015. The whole process is online and fully supported in plain English.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Over 820 five-star reviews received in just 3 years
✅ Experienced since 2015
✅ Typical payout: €14,800
✅ Fastest processing: about 8 weeks
✅ No German bank account required
✅ Only pay if successful
✅ Who’s Actually Eligible?
Here’s the good news:
You don’t need to be a finance expert or wade through German legalese. If all these apply, you’re likely in:
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Aussie citizenship, with no EU or UK passport in your back pocket
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Worked less than 5 years in Germany (that’s under 60 months of contributions)
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You haven’t paid into the German system for at least 2 years
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Not currently getting a German state pension
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Living outside the EU and UK now—whether that’s Sydney, Perth, or anywhere else
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If you’re still scratching your head, just use our free online check. We’ll review your info and let you know where you stand.
💸 How Much Do Aussies Usually Get?
Most Australians we help walk away with a lump sum—on average, about €14,800. But the real figure depends on what you earned and contributed while in Germany.
Here’s the rough breakdown:
- Everything your German employer withheld for the pension fund: you get that back in full
- If you chipped in extra (voluntary payments), you’ll get half of that returned
- Divorce or special cases? German rules might adjust your total—ask us if unsure
The maths: Germany takes 9.3% of your gross pay for pension (up to €8,050/month, as of 2025). Anything above that isn’t counted for refunds.
🕒 How Fast Can You Get Paid?
Our record for Australians: most refunds completed in about 8 weeks.
Try it solo with German bureaucracy? Could drag on for half a year (or more) and go round in circles.
Why so quick with us?
- We have direct lines to the German pension office (DRV) and speak their language—literally
- Our legal team in Berlin sorts out every document and translation
- All payments are checked, confirmed, and securely sent to you via law firm escrow
🏦 Where Does the Money Go?
No need to jump through hoops with a German bank.
Your refund lands first in a secure escrow account managed by a German legal partner—then we transfer it straight to your nominated account in Australia, or anywhere else in the world.
Want the money sent to a spouse or family member’s account? No worries—just let us know.
✈️ Can I Ever Return to Germany?
Absolutely! Claiming your refund just clears your past contributions.
If you move back for a new job or adventure, your pension account starts fresh. Getting your money out now doesn’t close the door on your future in Germany.
📄 What Do I Need to Apply?
You’ll need:
- Your Aussie passport (valid and signed)
- Your German pension number (Versicherungsnummer—usually on payslips or pension letters)
- Deregistration certificate (Abmeldebescheinigung) if you have one
Missing something? No drama—our team can help you track it down or tell you how to get a replacement.
🤝 What Does It Cost?
We only charge if you're successful. Our 9.75% success-based fee includes:
- ✅ Legal handling, escrow, and all filings
- ✅ Translations
- ✅ Customer support in English
- ✅ VAT and all admin costs
You never pay anything upfront — you only pay after your refund arrives in your account.
👥 Aussie Success Story
"I left Germany and thought the pension stuff was just lost money, but Julia and the team walked me through it all. I had my refund in the bank less than two months after starting the process—easiest cross-border admin I’ve ever done."
— Ben T., Brisbane
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I kick off my refund as an Aussie?
It’s simple—complete our online check, upload a few docs, and we’ll do the rest. No need to call German offices or fill out endless forms.
Can I apply if I’ve already returned to Australia?
Yes. As long as you’re outside the EU/UK and haven’t paid into German pension for two years, you’re set.
Will I owe tax on my refund in Australia?
Germany doesn’t tax pension refunds. For your Aussie tax situation, best to have a chat with your accountant.
What if my work in Germany was casual or on-and-off?
Even a single day of work in any month counts as a full month’s contribution! Gaps, part-time work, and voluntary payments can all factor in.
I might move back to Germany. Does this stop me?
Not at all—future jobs just start a new pension record. This refund is for your past time there.
How does the Social Security Agreement between Germany and Australia affect my refund?
The agreement means that if you have 60 or more monthly contributions in the German pension system, you’re considered eligible for a German pension and can’t receive a refund. If you have less than 60 months, you’re still eligible for a refund. If you’re not sure where you stand, use our free eligibility check and we’ll clarify your personal situation.
Why can’t I get a German pension refund if I also hold UK or EU citizenship—even if I never lived there?
If you have UK or EU citizenship—even if you never lived or worked there—you’re not eligible for a German pension refund. This is because EU and UK citizens are allowed to continue making voluntary contributions to the German pension scheme from anywhere in the world. As a result, you’re not considered as having “left” the German system in the way that’s required for a refund.
Despite Brexit, UK citizens still have these rights under the Social Security agreement. That means you must wait until you reach German retirement age to claim a pension, rather than being eligible for a refund now.
Tip: If you’re eligible for a refund as an Australian and considering a UK or EU passport, it’s best to claim your German refund first—before obtaining a second citizenship.
🇦🇺 Recent 5-Star Reviews from Australians
See what other Australians are saying—these are our 10 most recent 5-star reviews for pension refunds from Germany:
JUN/23/2025
Easy to understand, very clear
I had the pleasure of getting the help of Christian Kliem at Germany Pension Refund. Christian was very clear with his communication - Made everything easy to understand - and dealt with everything that needed to be done to get my Pension Refund back.
Highly recommend!
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Tom Berger
DEC/13/2024
Highly recommended
Great service, communication and outcome. Highly recommended.
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AUG/26/2024
I wouldn't hesitate in recommending their services
A huge thank you to Julia and the team who were able to assist in facilitating my pension refund where I had become bogged down in bureaucracy. (But at least the bureaucracy itself was as efficient as one would expect!)
After a several early attemps made personally, getting discouraged and consquently putting off the process for multiple years, the team at Germany Pension Fund helped make sure all the necessary paperwork was in order, and gave me regular updates throughout the process.
I wouldn't hesitate in recommending their services to friends or family that needed the same kind of assistance.
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MAR/21/2025
Fairly priced, friendly, easy, very happy
Incredibly friendly and easy service. Fairly priced as well! After leaving Germany in a hurry during covid, I was dreading the paperwork that was waiting for me... but Germany Pension Refund made it a breeze. Very happy with the result. A big thank you to Julia <3
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Adam Napoli
DEC/11/2024
Very happy!
Very happy to have worked with Julia and the team for this. The whole process took just over a 3 months, and Julia was always great at responding to my emails and keeping me updated from start to finish. Would recommend!
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AUG/21/2024
Excellent Service
Excellent service and kept me informed all the way through the process. Can’t fault their service.
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Lisa Hung
MAR/03/2025
Took the time to explain, swift responses
Very swift responses and professional service. I would highly recommend their services. Johannes took the time to explain things to me that I did not understand too, appreciate that!
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Steve W
SEP/24/2024
Exceptional
From the first enquiry email to the final funds delivered email, the service, communication and the process has been exceptional. Well done to Johannes and the team for establishing such a strong business model. Highly recommend.
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Mariana Bradea
FEB/22/2025
Highly recommend their excellent service
Using the service of Germany Pension Refund was a smooth, stress free experience. Johannes and the team are highly professional yet kind and understanding to explain the process and support you with extra care and patience at every step. I could not imagine having to face the challenges of getting my pension sorted out without their support and knowledge. I Highly recommend their excellent service.
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Eli McGarvie
SEP/20/2024
Straightforward...they handle everything
The pension return process takes a long time so be prepared to wait. That’s normal for Germany though. But I can say the process was pretty straight forward thanks to these guys, they handle everything and give progress updates all you have to do is wait. Better to go with professionals then deal with the German government which is a nightmare.
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✉️ Still Have Questions?
Check your eligibility with our free calculator or drop us a line—our Berlin-based, English-speaking team is always here to help.
Helping Australians get their German pension money back since 2015. Berlin-based. 100% English support.