German pension abroad in 2026: payments, tax, health cover and the life certificate

In 2026 a German pension is paid to any country: German pension insurance sends about 1.8 million pensions a year to more than 150 countries. In the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland it is paid in full, exactly as in Germany. Once a year you confirm you are alive, while tax and health cover depend on your new country.

In detail

Does Germany pay pensions abroad? Yes, to any country

Your pension follows you: German pension insurance pays about 1.8 million pensions a year to more than 150 countries. Since 1 October 2013 pensions abroad have been paid in full regardless of citizenship. The money goes to an account in Germany or in the country where you live.

If you already receive a pension, report the move and your new bank account early, ideally at least two months ahead. If your pension is still to come, you apply in the country where you live. German pension insurance recommends advice before the move: the new country decides the amount, the tax and the health cover.

Where a German pension is paid in full

Years in which you paid contributions in Germany are paid in every country. The differences between countries concern special credited periods and health insurance.

Data for 2026.

Years worked in the USSR: where they are paid

Ethnic German resettlers have their work years in the USSR and other countries credited under the Foreign Pensions Act. This part of the pension is paid while you live in Germany, the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. If you move to Russia, for example, only the pension from German contributions is paid.

The same applies to contribution periods before 1990 in former German Reich territories outside today's Germany. Periods in Poland follow special rules of the 1975 agreement.

Before the move, ask German pension insurance to calculate the amount you will receive in the new country. With German citizenship you need no residence permit in EU countries, only a local address registration, and the pension stays in full. Ask in the chat and a manager will compare countries for your work record and pension amount.

Life certificate: once a year, by smartphone or by post

Once a year the Deutsche Post pension service sends a life certificate form, usually in June and July. About 1.2 million pensioners abroad confirm nothing themselves: the data arrives automatically from Australia, Austria, Italy, Spain and other countries through data exchange.

There are two ways to confirm:

• Smartphone. In the Deutsche Post identity app you scan the personal code from the letter and a valid passport or ID card. Documents from more than 100 countries are accepted, originals only. It is free, you need a smartphone and an email address, and nobody can confirm on your behalf.
• Paper form. Your signature is certified by a local authority, a bank or a German embassy, and the original goes by post to the pension service.

If no confirmation arrives, payments stop until it does. Each pension, for example your own and a widow's pension, needs its own confirmation.

Tax on a German pension abroad: who collects it

Since 2005 a German pension has been taxable for people living abroad too. The double tax treaty between Germany and your new country decides where the tax is paid.

If you have no other income in Germany, one office handles the tax: the Neubrandenburg tax office for pension recipients abroad. It writes only to people whose pension is taxed in Germany under the treaty and can assess the tax in a simplified way, without a tax return.

As a rule, tax applies only to the German pension, but without the tax-free allowance, without deductions and without joint assessment with a spouse. In 2026 the tax-free allowance is $14,000 (€12,348) a year. You get it by applying for unlimited tax liability if at least 90% of your income is taxed in Germany or your income outside Germany does not exceed that amount. The income certificate comes from the tax office of your country of residence.

Health insurance after the move

In the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland you stay insured with your German health insurance fund and are treated in the new country like a locally insured person. In Turkey the cover continues if you receive only a German pension.

If you move to other countries, for example the US, compulsory health and long-term care insurance end on the day you move. You then need voluntary or private cover, and German pension insurance contributes to the premiums if you meet the conditions. Check the rules for your country with your health insurance fund before you move.

That is why Portugal, Spain, Cyprus and Greece suit life on a German pension: the same pension and treatment on German insurance. The conditions of each country are in our guides to retiring in Portugal, Spain, Cyprus and Greece.

Which payments stay in Germany

Basic income support in old age is paid only to people who live permanently in Germany. If you receive a reduced earning capacity pension granted because of the labour market, have it recalculated with German pension insurance before the move: abroad the amount can differ.

What to do before the move

1. Tell German pension insurance about the move and your new account at least two months ahead.
2. Find out the amount you will receive in the new country if you have Foreign Pensions Act periods.
3. Sort out health cover with your health insurance fund: in the EU it stays, elsewhere you need new cover.
4. Check which country taxes the pension under the treaty.
5. Secure the right to live in the new country: registration in the EU or a retirement residence permit elsewhere.

Countries with residence permits for retirees and their income conditions are in our guide to the best countries to retire abroad. Outside the EU, retirement programmes in Thailand, Panama, Paraguay and Turkey work well.

Not sure which country to choose? We will help in the chat: a manager will compare countries for your pension, health and family.

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