What do you need?
Social security protects you, for example, in case of illness, long-term care needs, unemployment, accidents at work and in old age. In normal employment, much of it is organised directly through your employer and your payslip.
What belongs to social security?
There are five areas:
- Health insurance: for when you are ill. More in the step “Sort out health insurance”.
- Long-term care insurance: for when you need care.
- Pension insurance, mainly for old age.
- Unemployment insurance: protection if you lose your job.
- Accident insurance: work accidents and occupational illnesses.
What is your social security number?
Your insurance number (Versicherungsnummer) is used for reports to German social insurance. If you have already worked in Germany with compulsory insurance, you generally keep the same number.
- If you do not have an insurance number yet, it can be assigned through the registration by your employer or training company.
- So normally you do not have to apply for an insurance number yourself before your first job.
- If you can no longer find your proof document, you can request a new one free of charge from Deutsche Rentenversicherung or your health insurer.
What the Versicherungsnummernachweis looks like
Look at your first payslip
You should find these items on your first statement:
- Gross amount
- Tax deductions
- Social security deductions
- Net amount
- Many contributions are shared by employee and employer; statutory accident insurance is paid by the employer.
- If a deduction is unclear, ask your HR or payroll office first.
- Different rules can apply to mini-jobs or other special forms of employment.
Terms on this page
Tap a word. The terms stay in German so you recognise them in letters and forms.
This is orientation, not legal advice. Please check the details at the official source.
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