Pension prospects for Ukrainians residing in Germany: what you need to know
Amid the large-scale aggression by Russia and the mass displacement of Ukrainians abroad, many Ukrainian citizens have been forced to leave their homes and seek safety in other countries.
One of these countries is Germany, which has offered Ukrainians the opportunity to obtain temporary asylum and pursue legal employment.
However, many Ukrainians are interested in whether they can qualify for a German pension and what conditions they need to meet to receive one.
Attorney Olga Brus explained that there are currently no agreements between Ukraine and Germany on the recognition of insurance years.
Therefore, Ukrainian insurance periods cannot be confirmed or counted towards pension rights in Germany.
To qualify for a pension there, an individual must have paid insurance contributions for at least five years.
This means that Ukrainian nationals wishing to receive a German pension need to be officially employed and contributing to the German Pension Fund for at least five years.
The lawyer also pointed out that once a person reaches the statutory retirement age in Germany and has paid insurance contributions for no less than five years, they can lawfully apply for a pension.
The retirement age in Germany is increasing annually: in 2024, it exceeds 65 years; in 2025, it will be over 66, and by 2031, it is projected to reach 67 years.
It is important to note that the amount of pension payments is calculated individually, depending on the contributions made and the insured years.
Additionally, work years in Poland and other EU countries may be credited as part of the insurance record, but this issue requires specific legal arrangements.