German Social Security Number: What You Need to Know
This page details the key things you need to know about your German Social Security Number (Sozialversicherungsnummer), including what it is, how to obtain one and why it is important for expats looking to set up and work in Germany.
What is a German Social Security Number (Sozialversicherungsnummer)?
Everyone starting work in Germany needs to produce an array of documents including a work visa (if applicable), a health insurance confirmation, a tax ID and an all-important German social security number, most commonly called a Sozialversicherungsnummer.
In Germany, it is compulsory for all employees to pay social security contributions towards a state pension, unemployment insurance and long-term care insurance. These contributions are drawn from your pay cheque. In order for your employer to process these contributions correctly, you need to provide them with a social security number.
Essentially, your social security number allows the relevant German authorities to track all your payments into the German social security system. You also require this number in order to identify yourself when accessing the German welfare system (i.e. when claiming benefits or a pension in Germany). Along with your German tax ID, it is one of the numbers you want to get hold of as soon as possible after moving to Germany.
German social security numbers are 12 digits long and always have the same format: 00 000000 A 000. Once issued, the number stays the same for life, whether you change jobs or marital status, move address or leave Germany.
What is the Social Security Number called in German?
As with most things in Germany, there is a multitude of names for your German social security number, but these all refer to the same thing:
Sozialversicherungsnummer
SVNR
SV-Nummer
Sozialversicherungsausweis
Rentenversicherungsnummer
RNVR
RV-Nummer
Rentenversicherungsausweis
How do you obtain a German Social Security Number?
Due to its importance in getting paid correctly by your employer in Germany, you will no doubt want to get a hold of your social security number as soon as possible. Here you have a fair few options depending on your situation:
1️⃣ If you have German Public Health Insurance
If you have signed up for German public health insurance when starting work in Germany, then getting your social security number is very straightforward. Once signed up for public health insurance, you will be automatically enrolled in the social security system and can just sit back and wait for your social security certificate (Sozialversicherungsausweis) to arrive in the mail, although this can take 4–6 weeks.
Most public health insurers can expedite this process and provide you with your social security number within a few days, especially if signing up online for one of the more popular insurers such as TK, BARMER or DAK.
2️⃣ If you have German Private Health Insurance
If you have signed up for German private health insurance, then it will take a little more legwork to get ahold of your social security number. However, you can request this from:
✅ The German Federal Pension Fund (Deutsche Rentenversicherung)
You can order your German social security number directly from the German Federal Pension Fund here. Alternatively, you can visit your local Deutsche Rentenversicherung branch in person to have your social security number printed on the spot.
✅ Your insurance broker
If you opted to sign up for private health insurance via a broker, then they can usually assist with getting your social security number. This is certainly the case if signing up for private health insurance via our favourite broker Feather, who will request your social security number for you.
✅ Your employer
If your employer is feeling helpful, they may order your social security number from Deutsche Rentenversicherung on your behalf. Before starting a job and opting for private health insurance, see if this is something that they can assist with.
What to do if you lose your German social security number?
In the event that you lose your social security number, you can find this detailed on:
Your payslips.
Letters from the German Federal Pension Fund (Deutsche Rentenversicherung).
Your membership confirmation letter from your public health insurer.
Your current or previous employer will also have your social security number in their payroll system so you can also request this from them if needed.
What happens to your German social security number when you leave Germany?
As mentioned, your German social security number stays the same for life, whether or not you live in Germany.
This can be particularly helpful in the event that you wish to transfer your German social security contributions to an account in another country, as all your social security details in Germany will be easily retrievable.
We hope you have found this quick rundown on German social security numbers helpful. For further details on the documents needed to start working in Germany, see our Germany Job Starter Guide.