On the following pages you can find information that may be useful for researchers who are returning to Germany after spending a longer period of time researching abroad.
FAQs for Researchers Returning to Germany
In order to help researchers returning to Germany, we have collected some questioned related to health insurance and pension to provide some orientation.
Please note that these FAQs are only to provide a general orientation. Though the information provided here is checked regularly, it may become out of date. Please also note that no information provided here should be seen as substituting that of an expert in the pertinent fields and EURAXESS Germany will not assume any liability for actions taken on the basis of the information provided here.
I'm going to Lisbon to do a research project. I'm being awarded a fellowship so I'm not liable for taxation and social security payments. What are my options in relation to health insurance cover? Will my German health insurance scheme take me on again afterwards?
Apart from a local Portuguese health insurance company, you may want to consider a German foreign health insurance. Your German health insurance scheme is obliged to take you on again if you start working in Germany up to two months after your return and, on top of this, if you had paid contributions for certain obligatory periods before leaving the scheme.
I am going to France for a year as a guest researcher. For years, I have been insured with a German public health insurance company. During my stay in France I shall be insured with the DAAD's private group insurance. Do I have to return to the public health insurance company when I come back? Is the company obliged to take me on again if my subsequent salary is over the limit for mandatory statutory health insurance?
Even if your income is over the limit for mandatory health insurance, the health insurance company is obliged to take you on again if you start working in Germany up to two months after your return, if you were insured for at least 24 months out of the five years prior to leaving the scheme or you were insured at least twelve consecutive months immediately before leaving the scheme.
Initially, I worked at a German university. I am currently employed by an American university and this year I will start working in Great Britain. I have paid or will pay pension contributions in each of these countries. How will the contributions paid abroad be recognised in the German pension scheme when I return to Germany in a few years time?
On principle, pension contributions paid abroad entitle you to a pension in the country in which they have been paid into the pension scheme. Accrued foreign benefits are only credited to the German qualifying period if the qualifying period for a foreign pension has not been fulfilled and there is a social security agreement with Germany.
Further Information
Zurück nach Deutschland (in German)
A publication from Research in Germany addressing German researchers abroad who are thinking of returning to Germany. It gives an overview on the most important changes in the German research landscape within the last years and the involved career perspectives.
Your Europe- Advice
Advice service of the European Commison on issues relating to EU-law in the fields of life, work and travel in the EU.