Social Security Number in Germany (2026): Where to Find Your Sozialversicherungsnummer, How to Get It and What It Is Used For
If you are starting work in Germany for the first time, you will soon come across another important German term: Sozialversicherungsnummer.
Your employer needs this number to identify you correctly within the German social security system. For people who have recently moved to Germany, however, it often raises many questions.
What exactly is a Sozialversicherungsnummer? Is it the same as a Rentenversicherungsnummer? Who issues the number? Do you have to apply for it yourself? What should you do if your employer asks for the number but you do not have one yet? Where can you find it? And how does the Sozialversicherungsnummer differ from your Steuer-ID and Krankenversicherungsnummer?
In this guide, we explain step by step how the Sozialversicherungsnummer works in Germany, with a particular focus on what you need to know when starting your first job in Germany.
Sozialversicherungsnummer in Germany: The Most Important Facts in 60 Seconds
The Sozialversicherungsnummer is a personal identification number used within the German social security system.
In practice, you may come across several different terms:
- Versicherungsnummer
- Rentenversicherungsnummer
- Sozialversicherungsnummer
When referring to the personal insurance number used by Deutsche Rentenversicherung, these terms generally refer to the same identifier in everyday use.
The key points:
- The Versicherungsnummer is an individual personal number.
- It is assigned once and normally remains with you for life.
- It is important when your employer registers you with the German social security system.
- If a Versicherungsnummer already exists, your employer can usually retrieve it electronically.
- If no number has been assigned yet, it can be issued as part of the registration process for your first employment.
- When you start your first employment, a Versicherungsnummernachweis is issued.
- Since 2023, the Versicherungsnummernachweis has replaced the former Sozialversicherungsausweis.
- Previously issued Sozialversicherungsausweis documents remain valid.
- If you lose your Versicherungsnummernachweis, you can request a replacement free of charge from Deutsche Rentenversicherung or your Krankenkasse.
- The Sozialversicherungsnummer is not the same as the Steuer-ID.
- It is also not the same as the Krankenversicherungsnummer.
What Is a Sozialversicherungsnummer?
The Sozialversicherungsnummer is one of the most important personal identifiers within Germany's social security system.
Put simply:
Your Steuer-ID identifies you within the German tax system.
Your Sozialversicherungsnummer / Versicherungsnummer identifies you within the social security system and Deutsche Rentenversicherung.
This number makes it possible to link employment records, social security information and, later, pension-related data to the correct person.
Sozialversicherungsnummer, Rentenversicherungsnummer and Versicherungsnummer – Are They the Same?
This is one of the most common sources of confusion for people who are new to Germany.
You may encounter several terms:
- Sozialversicherungsnummer
- Rentenversicherungsnummer
- Versicherungsnummer
When referring to an employee's personal number in the Deutsche Rentenversicherung system, these terms generally refer to the same number in everyday use.
In official Deutsche Rentenversicherung documents, you will very often see the term:
Versicherungsnummer
So there is no reason to be confused if your employer asks for your Sozialversicherungsnummer, while a document from Deutsche Rentenversicherung refers to your Versicherungsnummer.
What Is a Versicherungsnummernachweis?
There has been an important change in official terminology.
Previously, the document was commonly known as the:
Sozialversicherungsausweis.
Since 1 January 2023, the official document has been called:
Versicherungsnummernachweis
It contains:
- your Versicherungsnummer;
- first name;
- surname;
- birth name, if applicable;
- date of issue.
Importantly: previously issued Sozialversicherungsausweis documents remain valid.
This is why you will still find both terms in older documents and on many websites.
How Do You Get a Sozialversicherungsnummer When Starting Your First Job in Germany?
Many people who have recently moved to Germany assume that they must personally contact Deutsche Rentenversicherung and apply for a Sozialversicherungsnummer before their first day at work.
In most cases, the process is simpler.
Deutsche Rentenversicherung states that the Versicherungsnummernachweis is issued when a person begins their first employment. The process is normally initiated through the employer's social security registration.
In simplified form:
First job in Germany
↓
Registration by the employer
↓
Existing Versicherungsnummer is identified or a new one is assigned
↓
Versicherungsnummernachweis
Do I Have to Apply for a Sozialversicherungsnummer Myself?
Not necessarily.
If you are starting your first employment subject to social security contributions and you do not yet have a Versicherungsnummer, you generally do not need to obtain the number yourself first and wait for it before you can start working.
Normally, your employer completes the necessary social security registration.
If your Versicherungsnummer is not yet known, the employer has access to an electronic procedure for determining the number.
This means:
“I don't have a Sozialversicherungsnummer yet” does not mean “I cannot start my first job in Germany.”
What Role Does the Krankenkasse Play?
Employers register their employees with the relevant social security Einzugsstelle.
For employees covered by the German statutory health insurance system (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung), this is normally the employee's Krankenkasse.
Bundesagentur für Arbeit explains that employers' employment notifications are submitted to the relevant Einzugsstelle and are subsequently also used for record-keeping within the pension insurance system.
This means that several parts of the German system are closely connected when you start your first job:
Employee
↓
Krankenkasse
↓
Employer's social security registration
↓
Deutsche Rentenversicherung
↓
Versicherungsnummer
What Does Starting Your First Job in Germany Look Like in Practice?
If you move to Germany and start working here for the first time, the administrative process may look roughly like this:
Anmeldung
↓
Steuer-ID
↓
Job offer / Arbeitsvertrag
↓
Choose a Krankenkasse
↓
Provide your Krankenkasse information to your employer
↓
Employer registers you with the social security system
↓
Existing Versicherungsnummer is identified or a new one is assigned
↓
Versicherungsnummernachweis
↓
Your German social security and pension insurance record begins to develop
Important: this is not a legally mandatory sequence in which every step must always be fully completed before the next one can begin.
Some administrative processes can take place in parallel.
What Should I Do If My Employer Asks for My Sozialversicherungsnummer but I Don't Have One Yet?
Tell your employer that this is your first job in Germany and that you either do not yet know your Versicherungsnummer or that one has not yet been assigned.
Since 2023, employees are no longer generally required to present a Versicherungsnummernachweis when starting a job.
Employers can normally determine the Versicherungsnummer electronically.
Only if the automated query cannot identify the number unambiguously may additional information or supporting documentation be required.
For people starting their first job in Germany, this makes the employment process considerably easier.
Do I Have to Show My Versicherungsnummernachweis to My Employer?
Usually not.
In the past, presenting the Sozialversicherungsausweis had greater practical importance.
Since 2023, employers have had access to an automated procedure for requesting the Versicherungsnummer from the Deutsche Rentenversicherung database, and the general requirement for employees to present the document has been abolished.
This means that older advice online stating that you must always bring your Sozialversicherungsausweis to a new employer may now be outdated.
Where Can I Find My Sozialversicherungsnummer?
If a Versicherungsnummer has already been assigned to you, you can find it in several documents.
The most reliable source is your:
Versicherungsnummernachweis
This document contains your Versicherungsnummer, together with your name and other personal information.
You can also find the number on other documents issued by Deutsche Rentenversicherung.
Another particularly important document is the:
Jahresmeldung zur Sozialversicherung.
Deutsche Rentenversicherung recommends checking every year that the Jahresmeldung contains the correct:
- Versicherungsnummer;
- name;
- employment period;
- reported earnings.
Where Exactly Can I Find the Sozialversicherungsnummer on a Document?
If you are looking at your Versicherungsnummernachweis, look for the field:
Versicherungsnummer
or the section containing your personal information.
Do not simply assume that any sequence of numbers on a German insurance document is your Sozialversicherungsnummer.
In particular, do not confuse it with:
- Krankenversicherungsnummer;
- Steuer-ID;
- a customer or membership number issued by your Krankenkasse;
- your employer's Betriebsnummer.
If you have a letter from Deutsche Rentenversicherung or a Jahresmeldung, look specifically for the term Versicherungsnummer.
What Does a Sozialversicherungsnummer Look Like?
The Versicherungsnummer is a structured personal identification number.
It is not simply a random sequence of digits.
Because the Versicherungsnummer is a personal identifier used within the German social security system, it should be treated as personal data.
You should not publish your full Sozialversicherungsnummer:
- on Facebook;
- on public forums;
- in public comment sections;
- in public job-search groups;
- in publicly visible photos of your documents.
What Should I Do If I Have Forgotten My Sozialversicherungsnummer?
The most important point is:
Do not apply for a “new number” simply because you no longer know your existing one.
If a Versicherungsnummer has already been assigned to you, it still exists.
If necessary, your employer can use the electronic procedure for determining the number.
You can also check:
- your Versicherungsnummernachweis;
- letters from Deutsche Rentenversicherung;
- your Jahresmeldung zur Sozialversicherung.
What Should I Do If I Have Lost My Versicherungsnummernachweis?
Losing the document does not mean losing your Versicherungsnummer.
Your Versicherungsnummer remains the same.
If you need a new Versicherungsnummernachweis, you can request one free of charge:
- from Deutsche Rentenversicherung;
- from your Krankenkasse;
- through Deutsche Rentenversicherung's online services.
Important: Deutsche Rentenversicherung has specifically warned about private online service providers that charge fees for requesting a Versicherungsnummernachweis, even though the document can be obtained free of charge through official channels.
Does the Sozialversicherungsnummer Change When You Change Jobs?
No.
The Versicherungsnummer is linked to the individual, not to a particular employer.
New employer ≠ new Sozialversicherungsnummer.
When you change jobs, your Versicherungsnummer remains the same and continues to be used throughout your working life.
Does the Sozialversicherungsnummer Change When You Change Your Krankenkasse?
No.
The Sozialversicherungsnummer is not a customer or membership number issued by a specific Krankenkasse.
For example, switching from:
AOK → TK → Barmer
does not mean:
old Sozialversicherungsnummer → new Sozialversicherungsnummer.
Your Versicherungsnummer remains assigned to you.
Does the Sozialversicherungsnummer Change When You Move?
No.
Moving to a different:
- city;
- federal state;
- address
does not in itself result in a new Sozialversicherungsnummer.
The Versicherungsnummer is linked to you as a person, not to your place of residence.
Is the Sozialversicherungsnummer the Same as the Steuer-ID?
No.
They are two completely different identifiers.
| Number | System | Main Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Steuer-ID | Tax system | Finanzamt, ELStAM, Lohnsteuer |
| Sozialversicherungsnummer / Versicherungsnummer | Social security system | Rentenversicherung and Sozialversicherung |
Your employer needs your Steuer-ID for tax-related payroll purposes.
The Sozialversicherungsnummer / Versicherungsnummer, on the other hand, is used within the social security system.
Especially when starting your first job in Germany, it is important not to confuse these two numbers.
Is the Sozialversicherungsnummer the Same as the Krankenversicherungsnummer?
No.
These are also different numbers.
The Sozialversicherungsnummer / Versicherungsnummer is associated with Deutsche Rentenversicherung and the German social security system.
The Krankenversicherungsnummer is an identifier used within the health insurance system.
You should therefore not automatically assume that a number shown on documents from your Krankenkasse or on your Gesundheitskarte is your Sozialversicherungsnummer.
Steuer-ID, Sozialversicherungsnummer and Krankenversicherungsnummer Compared
People who are new to Germany often encounter several personal identification numbers at the same time.
It is important to understand the difference between them:
| Number | What Is It Used For? | Does It Normally Remain the Same? |
|---|---|---|
| Steuer-ID | German tax system | Yes |
| Sozialversicherungsnummer / Versicherungsnummer | Social security and Rentenversicherung system | Yes |
| Krankenversicherungsnummer | Health insurance system | Separate health insurance identifier |
Understanding the difference between these three numbers early in your working life in Germany can help you avoid confusion when dealing with employers, health insurers and authorities.
What Is the Jahresmeldung zur Sozialversicherung?
Every year, your employer provides you with a Meldebescheinigung zur Sozialversicherung, often referred to as the Jahresmeldung.
It contains information about your employment during the previous year and the data reported to the social security system.
Deutsche Rentenversicherung recommends checking the following information carefully:
- Versicherungsnummer;
- name;
- address or other personal details;
- date of birth;
- employment period;
- reported earnings.
These details may later be important for your pension entitlements and pension calculation.
If you discover an error, you should contact your employer. Depending on the situation, your Krankenkasse may also be able to assist.
Why Should You Keep Your Jahresmeldung zur Sozialversicherung?
Deutsche Rentenversicherung recommends keeping your Jahresmeldung carefully.
The document can serve as evidence of reported employment periods and earnings relevant to your pension insurance record.
You should therefore not simply throw away the document after the end of the year.
Check the information and keep the Jahresmeldung together with your other important Sozialversicherung and Rentenversicherung documents.
Can a Minijobber Have a Sozialversicherungsnummer?
Yes.
People working in a Minijob are also included in the relevant social security reporting procedures.
Bundesagentur für Arbeit states that employers also submit social security notifications for Minijobber and Auszubildende. For people in geringfügige Beschäftigung, the Minijob-Zentrale plays a specific role.
Therefore, the statement:
“I only have a Minijob, so I cannot have a Sozialversicherungsnummer.”
is incorrect.
A Versicherungsnummer may already exist even if you have only worked in a Minijob.
Do You Have a Sozialversicherungsnummer During an Ausbildung?
Yes.
Auszubildende are also included in employers' social security registration procedures.
If an Ausbildung is a person's first relevant employment in Germany, this may be the point at which their Versicherungsnummer and Rentenversicherung account first become relevant in practice.
The Sozialversicherungsnummer is therefore not only relevant for people in regular full-time employment.
Can You Have a Sozialversicherungsnummer Before Your First Full-Time Job?
Yes.
A Versicherungsnummer may already have been assigned before someone starts their first regular full-time job.
For example, a Versicherungsnummer may already exist because of:
- an Ausbildung;
- a Minijob;
- previous employment;
- another situation involving social security registration.
Therefore, when starting a new job, you should not automatically try to obtain a “new Sozialversicherungsnummer” if there is a possibility that one has already been assigned to you.
What Is Sozialversicherung in Germany?
The term Sozialversicherungsnummer becomes much easier to understand once you know what the German Sozialversicherung system includes.
Germany's social security system consists of several main branches:
- Krankenversicherung – health insurance;
- Pflegeversicherung – long-term care insurance;
- Rentenversicherung – pension insurance;
- Arbeitslosenversicherung – unemployment insurance;
- Unfallversicherung – accident insurance.
Employers electronically register their employees within the social security system, and employment notifications are also used for record-keeping within the Rentenversicherung system.
The Versicherungsnummer helps ensure that these records are assigned to the correct person.
Is the Standard Social Security Registration Enough in Every Profession?
Not always.
In certain industries in Germany, there is also a Sofortmeldepflicht – an obligation for the employer to submit a special notification no later than when the employee starts work.
Bundesagentur für Arbeit lists sectors such as:
- construction;
- hotels and restaurants;
- transport and logistics;
- building cleaning;
- the meat industry;
- security services;
- hairdressing and beauty services;
- and certain other industries.
Important:
The Sofortmeldung is a special obligation for the employer.
It is not the same as the general question of whether an employee already has a Versicherungsnummer or how to obtain a Sozialversicherungsnummer.
Do Self-Employed People Need a Sozialversicherungsnummer?
The situation for self-employed people (Selbstständige) differs from that of regular employees.
Not every self-employed person is automatically subject to compulsory insurance with Deutsche Rentenversicherung.
Therefore, simply having a Versicherungsnummer does not mean that a self-employed person has the same social security status as an employee.
The exact insurance status must be assessed separately depending on the person's individual situation and type of self-employment.
Do EU Citizens Need a German Sozialversicherungsnummer?
If an EU citizen becomes part of the German social security system, the German Versicherungsnummer is used for the relevant German registration procedures.
For example, having a personal or social security number from:
- Latvia;
- Poland;
- Romania;
- Lithuania;
- another EU country
does not mean that this number automatically becomes your German Sozialversicherungsnummer.
The German social security system uses the German Versicherungsnummer.
Common Mistakes About the Sozialversicherungsnummer
1. “The Sozialversicherungsnummer and Steuer-ID are the same number.”
No.
They belong to completely different systems.
The Steuer-ID is used for taxation, while the Versicherungsnummer is used within the social security and pension insurance system.
2. “I must obtain my Sozialversicherungsnummer myself before starting my first job.”
Not necessarily.
When you begin your first employment, the necessary procedures are normally initiated through the employer's social security registration.
3. “I must always show my Sozialversicherungsausweis to my employer.”
No longer as a general rule.
Since 2023, employers can normally determine the Versicherungsnummer electronically, and there is no longer a general requirement for employees to present the document when starting work.
4. “Sozialversicherungsausweis is still the official name of the document.”
No.
Since 2023, the official document is called the Versicherungsnummernachweis.
Previously issued Sozialversicherungsausweis documents remain valid.
5. “I will receive a new Sozialversicherungsnummer when I change jobs.”
No.
The Versicherungsnummer remains assigned to the individual.
6. “My Sozialversicherungsnummer will change if I change my Krankenkasse.”
No.
The Versicherungsnummer is not a customer number issued by a particular Krankenkasse.
7. “If I lose my Versicherungsnummernachweis, I also lose my number.”
No.
The Versicherungsnummer remains valid. You can request a replacement document if necessary.
8. “I have to pay for a new Versicherungsnummernachweis.”
No.
A replacement can be requested free of charge through Deutsche Rentenversicherung or your Krankenkasse.
9. “Any number on my Gesundheitskarte is my Sozialversicherungsnummer.”
No.
The Krankenversicherungsnummer and Versicherungsnummer are different identifiers.
10. “The Jahresmeldung is no longer important once my salary has been paid.”
Incorrect.
Deutsche Rentenversicherung recommends checking and keeping the document because the information it contains may be important for your pension insurance record.
Checklist: Your First Job in Germany
If you are starting work in Germany for the first time, this checklist will help you keep track of the most important steps related to your Anmeldung, Steuer-ID, Krankenkasse and Sozialversicherungsnummer:
- Complete your Anmeldung if it applies to your situation.
- Find out your Steuer-ID.
- Choose a Krankenkasse.
- Tell your employer which Krankenkasse you are insured with.
- If you already have a Sozialversicherungsnummer, have it ready.
- If you do not know your Versicherungsnummer, tell your employer.
- If necessary, your employer can use the electronic procedure to request your Versicherungsnummer.
- If you receive a Versicherungsnummernachweis, carefully check that your personal details are correct.
- Keep your Versicherungsnummernachweis in a safe place.
- If you change jobs, continue using your existing Versicherungsnummer.
- Keep important social security documents issued by your employer.
- Check your Jahresmeldung zur Sozialversicherung every year.
- If you lose your Versicherungsnummernachweis, request a replacement through an official channel – free of charge.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Sozialversicherungsnummer in Germany
What Is a Sozialversicherungsnummer?
A Sozialversicherungsnummer is an individual's personal identification number within the German social security system and Deutsche Rentenversicherung.
It is used to ensure that social security and pension-related information is assigned to the correct person.
Are Sozialversicherungsnummer and Rentenversicherungsnummer the Same?
In everyday use, the terms Sozialversicherungsnummer and Rentenversicherungsnummer generally refer to the same personal Versicherungsnummer used by Deutsche Rentenversicherung.
What Is a Versicherungsnummer?
Versicherungsnummer is the official term commonly used by Deutsche Rentenversicherung for a person's individual insurance number.
What Is a Sozialversicherungsausweis?
The Sozialversicherungsausweis is the former name of the document used as proof of the insurance number.
Since 2023, it has been replaced by the Versicherungsnummernachweis.
Previously issued Sozialversicherungsausweis documents remain valid.
How Do I Get a Sozialversicherungsnummer for the First Time?
The process normally takes place when you start your first employment in Germany and your employer registers you with the social security system.
You therefore do not generally have to obtain your Sozialversicherungsnummer yourself before you can begin your first job.
Can I Start Working Without a Sozialversicherungsnummer?
If you do not yet know your Versicherungsnummer, this does not automatically mean that you cannot start your first job in Germany.
Your employer uses the relevant social security registration procedures and can use the electronic process for determining your Versicherungsnummer.
Can My Employer Find My Sozialversicherungsnummer?
Yes.
Since 2023, employers have had access to an automated procedure for requesting the Versicherungsnummer from the Deutsche Rentenversicherung database.
Do I Have to Show My Versicherungsnummernachweis to My Employer?
Usually not.
The general requirement to present the document has been abolished.
Only if your Versicherungsnummer cannot be clearly identified electronically may additional information or supporting documentation be required.
Where Can I Find My Sozialversicherungsnummer?
The most reliable place to find it is your:
Versicherungsnummernachweis
You can also find your Versicherungsnummer on documents from Deutsche Rentenversicherung and on your Jahresmeldung zur Sozialversicherung.
Where Exactly Is the Sozialversicherungsnummer Shown on the Document?
Look specifically for the field:
Versicherungsnummer
Do not confuse it with:
- your Krankenversicherungsnummer;
- your Steuer-ID;
- a customer or membership number issued by your Krankenkasse;
- other numbers found on insurance or employment documents.
What Should I Do If I Have Lost My Versicherungsnummernachweis?
If you lose your Versicherungsnummernachweis, your Versicherungsnummer itself continues to exist.
You can request a replacement document free of charge from Deutsche Rentenversicherung or your Krankenkasse.
You do not need a new Versicherungsnummer – you only need a new document confirming your existing number.
Does a Sozialversicherungsnummer Cost Money?
No.
A Versicherungsnummernachweis can also be obtained free of charge through the official channels.
Be careful with private online services that charge fees for requesting a Versicherungsnummernachweis.
Does the Sozialversicherungsnummer Change When I Change Jobs?
No.
The Versicherungsnummer is linked to you as a person, not to a particular employer.
When you change jobs, your new employer continues to use the same Versicherungsnummer.
Does the Sozialversicherungsnummer Change When I Change My Krankenkasse?
No.
Changing your Krankenkasse does not result in a new Sozialversicherungsnummer.
Your Versicherungsnummer remains the same regardless of which Krankenkasse you are insured with.
Is the Sozialversicherungsnummer the Same as the Steuer-ID?
No.
The two numbers belong to different systems:
Steuer-ID → tax system
Sozialversicherungsnummer / Versicherungsnummer → social security and Deutsche Rentenversicherung
Your employer mainly needs your Steuer-ID for payroll tax purposes, while the Versicherungsnummer is used for social security purposes.
Is the Sozialversicherungsnummer Shown on the Gesundheitskarte?
The Krankenversicherungsnummer shown on your Gesundheitskarte should not automatically be treated as your Sozialversicherungsnummer.
They are different identifiers.
If you are looking for your Sozialversicherungsnummer, look specifically for the term Versicherungsnummer on your Versicherungsnummernachweis or relevant documents from Deutsche Rentenversicherung.
Can a Minijobber Have a Sozialversicherungsnummer?
Yes.
Minijobbers are also included in the relevant social security reporting procedures.
Therefore, a Versicherungsnummer may already exist even if you have only worked in a Minijob.
Do You Need a Sozialversicherungsnummer During an Ausbildung?
The Versicherungsnummer is also relevant during an Ausbildung.
Employers include Auszubildende in the relevant social security reporting procedures.
If the Ausbildung is your first relevant employment in Germany, this may be the first time your Versicherungsnummer becomes practically relevant.
Do Foreigners Need a Sozialversicherungsnummer in Germany?
If a person becomes part of the German social security system, a German Versicherungsnummer is used for the relevant German registration procedures.
In principle, this applies regardless of whether the person is a German citizen, an EU citizen or a citizen of another country.
A personal identification number or social security number issued in another country is not automatically the German Sozialversicherungsnummer.
What Is the Jahresmeldung zur Sozialversicherung?
The Jahresmeldung zur Sozialversicherung is a notification issued by your employer containing social security information for the previous year.
Deutsche Rentenversicherung recommends checking in particular:
- your Versicherungsnummer;
- your personal details;
- the employment period;
- the reported earnings.
After checking the information, keep the Jahresmeldung in a safe place.
The information it contains may be important for your insurance record and later for your pension.
Conclusion: Your Sozialversicherungsnummer Connects Your Working Life to the German Social Security System
At first, the Sozialversicherungsnummer may seem like just another number among the many documents and identifiers you encounter after moving to Germany.
But its function is clear.
Your Steuer-ID identifies you within the tax system.
Your Krankenversicherungsnummer identifies you within the health insurance system.
Your Sozialversicherungsnummer / Versicherungsnummer, on the other hand, identifies you within Deutsche Rentenversicherung and the German social security system.
If you are starting your first job in Germany and do not yet know your Versicherungsnummer, this does not automatically mean that you cannot start working.
The employer's social security registration and the electronic procedure for determining the Versicherungsnummer are designed to handle situations like this.
It is also important to understand the correct terminology.
Many older articles and guides still use the term Sozialversicherungsausweis. Since 2023, however, the official name of the document has been Versicherungsnummernachweis.
Previously issued Sozialversicherungsausweis documents remain valid.
Your Versicherungsnummer is not tied to a single employer. It remains assigned to you when you change jobs and helps ensure that your employment and social security records are linked to the correct person within the Rentenversicherung system.
You should therefore keep your Versicherungsnummernachweis and important documents from Deutsche Rentenversicherung in a safe place.
Your annual Jahresmeldung zur Sozialversicherung is also important.
Check in particular:
- your Versicherungsnummer;
- your name and personal details;
- the reported employment period;
- the reported earnings.
These details may later be important for your pension entitlements and the calculation of your German pension.
For someone starting work in Germany for the first time, the basic process can therefore be remembered very simply:
Choose a Krankenkasse
↓
Your employer registers you with the social security system
↓
Your existing Versicherungsnummer is identified electronically or, if necessary, a new one is assigned
↓
You receive your Versicherungsnummernachweis
↓
The same Versicherungsnummer remains with you throughout your working life
↓
Check your Jahresmeldung zur Sozialversicherung every year
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