Pension rights in Germany: how long do you have to work?

With the outbreak of the full-scale conflict, many Ukrainians became internally displaced persons, which, in particular, raised questions about receiving pensions in other countries, such as Germany.

According to lawyer Olga Brus, there are currently no agreements between Ukraine and Germany that would recognize work experience gained in Ukraine. This means that the work experience of Ukrainians cannot be verified in Germany and, therefore, is not taken into account when calculating pensions.

“To retire in Germany, you must have at least five years of paying insurance contributions. That is, Ukrainians who wish to receive a German pension must officially work and make contributions to the German Pension Fund for at least five years,” Brus noted.

Olga Brus also emphasized that Ukrainians who have reached retirement age in Germany and who have fulfilled the conditions for insurance contributions have the right to receive a pension. There is no clearly defined minimum pension in the country, so the amount of payments is set individually for each person.

It is worth noting that in Germany, the retirement age is gradually increasing. For example, in 2024, retirement is possible after reaching 65 years, in 2025, after 66 years, and by 2031, this age will be 67 years.

Earlier, it was reported that the Pension Fund of Ukraine changed the rules of payments, and now a new process of checking pensioners is underway. Experts’ forecasts were also published regarding the possible terms of the war’s end, which could drag on for decades.

In addition, new rules have appeared regarding the receipt of pensions: now money can be paid not only to bank cards but also to other payment methods.