The Sozialversicherungsnummer (SVNR) is a 12-digit German social security number that identifies you with the German pension insurance and stays with you for life. Employers need the SVNR to pay your social contributions and to officially register you. With Private health insurance (PKV), the number is not issued automatically, so you or your employer must request it from the German pension office (Deutsche Rentenversicherung). The pension office sends the SVNR by post to your registered address, and delivery usually takes 2–4 weeks.
What is a Sozialversicherungsnummer (SVNR)?
The Sozialversicherungsnummer (SVNR), also called the Rentenversicherungsnummer or social security number, is a 12-digit number issued by the German pension insurance (Deutsche Rentenversicherung). The SVNR tracks the pension contributions made for one individual. Every person born in Germany receives an SVNR, and people who move to Germany receive one at the latest when they take up employment that is subject to social insurance contributions. Mini-jobs and student contracts are excluded from that rule. The SVNR is unique to you and stays with you for life.
Why do I need an SVNR to start a job in Germany?
Your employer pays your social contributions together with your taxes when your salary is paid out. Your employer needs the SVNR to identify you with the German pension insurance and to send your monthly contributions to the correct record. For this reason, most employers ask for the SVNR before they can officially hire you.
How do I get an SVNR if I have private health insurance?
With Private health insurance (PKV), the SVNR is not generated automatically, so it has to be requested from the German pension office (Deutsche Rentenversicherung). Follow these steps:
Confirm that you don't already have an SVNR from earlier employment or from a previous period of Public health insurance (GKV) in Germany, because the number is issued only once and stays valid for life.
Submit a request for the SVNR to the German pension office, either yourself or through your employer.
Make sure your registered address in Germany is up to date, because the pension office sends the number by post to that address.
Wait for the letter with your SVNR to arrive, then pass the number to your employer.
You can contact our support team for more assistance or additional resources.
How long does it take to receive my SVNR?
After the request reaches the German pension office, processing and postal delivery usually take 2–4 weeks. The pension office sends the SVNR by post to your registered address in Germany, and no digital copy is issued in that process. Submitting the request as early as possible before your start date helps avoid delays with your employer.
Is the SVNR the same as my tax ID or my health insurance number?
No, the SVNR is a separate number from your German tax identification number (Steueridentifikationsnummer) and from the policy or membership number of your health insurance. The SVNR identifies you with the German pension insurance for social contributions. Your Private health insurance (PKV) policy number identifies your health insurance contract with us and is not a substitute for the SVNR.