Sozialversicherungsnummer (SVNR) explained: how to get your German social security number as an expat

What is the Sozialversicherungsnummer and what is it for

The Sozialversicherungsnummer (SVNR, also called Rentenversicherungsnummer or RVNR) is a 12-digit personal identifier issued by Deutsche Rentenversicherung (Germany's statutory pension insurance body). It is permanently assigned to you — it never changes, even if you change jobs, move cities, or leave and return to Germany.

Your SVNR is used to:

• Track your social insurance contributions (pension, health, unemployment, long-term care) across all employers
• Calculate your future pension entitlements
• Identify you to all four branches of the German social security system (Rentenversicherung, Krankenversicherung, Arbeitslosenversicherung, Pflegeversicherung)

Your employer is legally required to report your SVNR to the social insurance bodies. Without it, they cannot correctly report your pension contributions.

Format: 12 digits structured as: 65 DDMMYY A XXX V

• 65 — issuing authority code
• DDMMYY — day/month/year of birth
• A — first letter of birth surname
• XXX — serial number
• V — check digit

Example: 65 010190 M 001 3 for someone born 01.01.1990 with surname starting with M.

Sozialversicherungsnummer vs Steuer-ID: the key difference

These are two separate numbers that both go on employment forms. They are issued by different authorities and serve different purposes.

Issued by Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bundeszentralamt für Steuern (Federal Tax Office) Purpose Social insurance contributions (pension, health, unemployment) Income tax identification Format 12 digits 11 digits When issued After first employment in Germany (or after Anmeldung + employer request) Automatically ~2–4 weeks after Anmeldung Changes? Never — permanent for life Never — permanent for life Physical form Sozialversicherungsausweis (plastic card) Letter from Finanzamt

Your payslip (Gehaltsabrechnung) will show both numbers. Your HR department needs both. They are not interchangeable.

How to get your SVNR: first job in Germany

If this is your first job in Germany, you have never been issued an SVNR. Here is how it works:

Step 1 — Start your job and complete Anmeldung first The SVNR application process is triggered by employment. When your employer begins the onboarding process, they will ask for your SVNR. If you don't have one yet, the process is:

Step 2 — Your employer contacts the Einzugsstelle (collecting body) Your health insurer (GKV) acts as the Einzugsstelle for the social insurance system. Your employer notifies them that a new employee without an SVNR has started. The GKV requests an SVNR from Deutsche Rentenversicherung on your behalf.

Step 3 — Deutsche Rentenversicherung issues the number Deutsche Rentenversicherung assigns your SVNR and sends you a Sozialversicherungsausweis — a small plastic card with your name and number — by post, to your registered address (Anmeldung address).

You do not need to take any direct action. The process runs between your employer, your health insurer, and Deutsche Rentenversicherung. Your only role is:

1. Have your Anmeldung done (so the card has an address to be sent to)
2. Tell HR you don't have an SVNR yet — they will initiate the process

If you want to apply directly: You can also write to Deutsche Rentenversicherung directly if you need to expedite. Include your full name, date and place of birth, address, and a brief note that you have started employment in Germany. Address: Deutsche Rentenversicherung, 10704 Berlin.

How long it takes — and what to do in the meantime

Typical timeline: 2–6 weeks from your start date.

What to do while waiting:

• Tell your employer you are awaiting your SVNR — this is normal and expected for new arrivals
• Your employer can legally start paying you without the SVNR; they use a placeholder and correct the reports retroactively once it arrives
• Your pension contributions are correctly recorded from day one — no contributions are lost during the waiting period

You will not be penalised for the delay. The Sozialversicherungsausweis is sent to your registered address, so make sure your Anmeldung is done before your start date.

Already worked in Germany before? How to find your existing SVNR

If you have worked in Germany before — including a student job, mini-job, internship, or any employment — you already have an SVNR and the same one will be used. It does not expire or get reissued.

Where to find it:

1. Your old Sozialversicherungsausweis — the plastic card issued when you first worked in Germany
2. An old payslip (Gehaltsabrechnung) — it appears in the header or footer section
3. Your health insurer — contact your GKV (or former GKV) and ask for your Versicherungsnummer — they have it on file
4. Deutsche Rentenversicherung — call +49 800 1000 4800 (free, Mon–Thu 7:30–19:30, Fri 7:30–15:30) or write to them. Provide full name, date of birth, and address

If your card was lost: Request a duplicate Sozialversicherungsausweis from Deutsche Rentenversicherung (free of charge).

Where to find your SVNR on your payslip

German payslips vary in format, but the SVNR is usually in one of these locations:

• Top section with your personal details (alongside your name, address, and Steuer-ID)
• A line labelled "Rentenversicherungsnummer", "Sozialversicherungsnummer", "SV-Nummer", or "SVNR"
• In the social insurance (Sozialversicherung) section of deductions

If your payslip shows noch nicht bekannt (not yet known) or similar next to the SVNR field — that's normal for new employees who haven't received their number yet.

Leaving Germany: what happens to your SVNR and pension contributions

Your SVNR: Permanently assigned to you — it doesn't expire or get cancelled. If you return to Germany to work in the future, the same number is used. Keep the Sozialversicherungsausweis card.

Your pension contributions: If you leave Germany, you have paid into Deutsche Rentenversicherung. What happens depends on your situation:

EU citizens: Your German pension contributions are coordinated with your home country's pension system under EU social security coordination rules. The contributions transfer toward your total qualifying years — you don't lose them.

Non-EU citizens from countries with bilateral social security agreements (e.g. USA, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Turkey, India — check the DRV list): Similar coordination applies; contributions count toward qualifying periods in your home country.

Non-EU citizens with no bilateral agreement: If you have contributed for fewer than 5 years (60 months), you may be able to claim a refund (Beitragserstattung) after leaving Germany and spending at least 24 consecutive months outside the EU/EEA. The refund covers only your half of the contributions (the employer's share is not refundable). Application goes to Deutsche Rentenversicherung after you have been living outside the EU/EEA for 24 months.

If you have contributed for 5 years or more, you have earned a pension entitlement (Rentenanspruch) — you will receive payments from German pension when you reach the German retirement age (~67), even if you are abroad.