Social security

Fellowship holders are generally exempt from the obligation to pay contributions to the German social security system.

The specific regulations in German residency law however require foreign nationals to demonstrate that they have purchased health insurance from a licensed health insurance provider in Germany in order to successfully apply for a residence permit. You will therefore generally be obliged to take out private health insurance before entering Germany unless you meet the exceptional circumstances for eligibility to purchase voluntary statutory health insurance as per § 9 SGB V.

The aim of the health insurance is to secure that the costs for medical treatment and medicines in case of an accident or an are not to be paid privately. Health insurance is mandatory in Germany.

As Germany has concluded social security agreements with the member states of the European Union, the EEA and other states, it may also be possible for the demestic health insurance of a fellow to be recognized in Germany. Recognition is given by statutory health insurance companies in Germany.

The health insurance company of the home country can provide information about the recognition procedure. As a rule, a European health insurance card is required for this.

Private health insurance companies of other countries may also be recognized.

To be enrolled at a university, both statutorily and privately insured need a confirmation proving that the concerned person is exempt from compulsory insurance in the German statutory health insurance. This certificate can be obtained from statutory health insurances in Germany.

For more information please see the "Health insurance" section.

If you conduct your research stay in Germany on the basis of an employment contract, you are subject to fixed statutory social security contributions. The employer and the employee each pay approximately half of the contributions which amount to a total of approximately 40% of your gross salary. The employer is solely responsible for contributions to accident insurance.

As soon as you take up your post, your host institution will normally take the steps necessary to register you for insurance. You will be registered with the health insurance company ("Krankenkasse") of your choice which will then inform the other social security providers. Once registration has been completed you will receive your Insurance Number ("Versicherungsnummer") from the provider handling the pension scheme and a booklet proving that you are insured (“Versicherungsnachweisheft”) which you have to hand in to the host institution. The employer is responsible for paying the contributions and will deduct the sum at source.

For citizens from Member States of the EU, EEA States and Switzerland, Regulation (EC) 883/04 and the supplementary Regulation (EC) 987/2009 apply.  This means that the principles of social coordination are fully applicable.

For members of third countries, Regulation (EC) 1231/2010 forms the basis. Regulation (EC) 883/2004 and Regulation (EC) 987/2009 apply accordingly to nationals of third countries not already covered by the aforementioned regulations solely on the ground of their nationality as well as for the members of their family and their survivors, provided they are legally resident in the territory of a member state and are in a situation which is not confined in all respects within a single member state. Among others, these regulations cover the entitlement and transferability of social benefits within the European Union. In particular, Regulation (EC) 883/2004 regulates which countries are entitled to contributions.

Section 11 contains two basic rules:

1. You are insured in the country where you exercise your professional activity.
   
   This basic principle changes if the employed person is deployed to another EEA member state within the scope of ongoing employment for a maximum of 2 years (section 12).
2. You are subject to the legislation of only one Member State at a time.