The social security number (Sozialversicherungsnummer) is a personal number for the statutory social insurance system in Germany. It is also called SV-Nummer or pension insurance number (Rentenversicherungsnummer). The German Pension Insurance (Deutsche Rentenversicherung) gives you this number. Your pension contributions are recorded under this number. You only get the number once. It stays the same for your whole life. This is also true if you move, change your name or start a new job. The number is made up of digits and one letter. It contains, for example, your date of birth and the first letter of your birth name. The rules are the same everywhere in Germany.
Where you will come across the word
- When you start a new job: your employer asks for the number. They need it to register you with the social insurance system.
- For a mini-job (Minijob), vocational training (Ausbildung) or an internship (Praktikum).
- In a letter from the German Pension Insurance. Your number is in this letter. This letter is called the social security card (Sozialversicherungsausweis).
- On your payslip (Gehaltsabrechnung).
- At your health insurance fund (Krankenkasse), the Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) or the Jobcenter.
- Later on, when you apply for your pension.
What you should do
- Check whether you already have a number. Have you worked in Germany before? Then you probably already have a number. You will not get a second one.
- In most cases, you do not need to apply for anything. When you work in Germany for the first time, your employer registers you with your health insurance fund. After that, you get the number automatically by post. For this, you need health insurance.
- Make sure your post can reach you. The letter is sent to your address. Register your address and put your name on your letterbox.
- Talk to your employer early. If you do not have a number yet, it is best to tell them before your first day at work. You can also ask your health insurance fund or the German Pension Insurance.
- Keep the letter in a safe place. Only give the number to people and offices that really need it, for example your employer or government offices.
- Lost your number? Look at an old payslip. Or ask your health insurance fund or the German Pension Insurance.
For a new job, you usually also need your tax ID (Steuer-ID). This is a different number.
Examples
- “Please bring your social security number and your tax ID on your first day at work.”
- “We hereby inform you of your insurance number. Please give this number to your employer.”
- “I don’t have a social security number yet. I’m working in Germany for the first time.”
Related terms
- Pension insurance number (Rentenversicherungsnummer): This is another word for the social security number.
- Social security card (Sozialversicherungsausweis): This is the letter from the pension insurance that shows your number.
- Tax identification number (Steuer-Identifikationsnummer, Steuer-ID): This number is for the tax office (Finanzamt) and is not the same as the social security number.
- Health insurance number (Krankenversichertennummer): This number is on your health insurance card (Gesundheitskarte) and is your number with your health insurance fund.
- Social insurance (Sozialversicherung): This includes, for example, pension, health, long-term care and unemployment insurance.