My Retirement

At What Age Can I Retire if I Have Worked in France and Germany?

In Germany, you can retire from age 63 (with a reduction) or at age 67 for a full pension.

In France, the legal retirement age is 64.

Both countries recognize your contribution periods: a professional can help you calculate your combined retirement age.

Do I Have Entitlements to a German Pension Even if I Have Worked there for less than 5 Years?

Yes, from age 67, your contributions will be taken into account thanks to European agreements.

How Do the French and German Pension Systems Interact?

Both systems cooperate via the European regulation on pension coordination.

Each country calculates your pension according to its own rules, but takes into account your years worked in the other country.

👉 This means that no year of work is “lost”.

Are My Years Worked in Germany Recognized in France?

Yes, they count towards the calculation of the total number of quarters.

However, each country pays its own pension.

Who Pays My Pension if I Have Contributed in Two Countries?

Each country pays a portion of your pension, proportional to the duration worked in its territory.

How is the Pension Taxed if it Comes from Multiple Countries?

Taxation depends on your country of residence.

Between France and Germany, tax agreements prevent double taxation.

👉 In general, you will pay your taxes in the country where you live when receiving the pension.

I Am a Resident in Germany: is there a Withholding Tax on Pensions?

No. You must declare your income to the Finanzamt, which will calculate the amount due based on your total income.

Does Expatriation to Germany Impact the Amount of My Pension?

Yes.

Contribution rates and caps differ significantly between the two countries.

Without supplementary planning, the average overall amount of your pension is approximately 30% lower than that of a 100% French career.

👉 For French expatriates, it is important to plan for a private and/or company pension to compensate for the Franco-German differential.

Can I Recover My German Pension Contributions if I Leave Germany?

Only if:

You do not have German nationality,
You have contributed for less than 5 years,
You permanently leave the European Economic Area (EEA).

Otherwise, your entitlements remain in the system for a future payment.

Can I Have My Years of Study in Germany Recognized?

Yes, up to a maximum of 7 years.

They do not generate additional financial entitlements, but they count towards the calculation of the total number of annuities (useful on the French side to avoid a reduction).

👉 Faller Finance offers this service as part of its pension study (***add link to contact us***).

What Private Pensions Exist in Germany?

The main options are:

Riester-Rente (subsidized pension)
Basisrente / Rürup-Rente (tax-deductible pension)
Betriebliche Altersvorsorge (company pension)
Private Rente (individual pension)

👉 See our detailed articles on each type of pension in the Retirement category of the website.

Is the Riester-Rente Beneficial?

Yes, especially for families.

For example, for a 34-year-old person with two children, the annual subsidy reaches €775, not including the tax advantage.

It is recommended to simulate your personal case with an advisor.

My Employer Offers a Supplementary Pension: is it Advantageous?

It depends on the conditions (employer contribution, investment vehicles, taxation).

Basic rule: if the employer covers 50% or more, it is generally beneficial; otherwise, it is not.

⚠️ Warning: in case of an employer change, the new employer has no obligation to take over your existing contract.

Often, the best strategy is to combine a company pension and a private pension.

I Am Self-Employed, Do I Have to Contribute to the German Public Pension?

It all depends on your profession:

Certain professions are mandatory (doctors, architects, lawyers, etc.)
Others are free to choose.

A personalized study with an advisor is necessary to find the most relevant solution. 👉 This should be planned for from the outset in your self-employment budget.

How Do I Apply for My Pension?

In Germany: with the Deutsche Rentenversicherung (DRV)
In France: with the CNAV

If you have worked in several EU countries, a single application is sufficient: it is automatically forwarded to each organization.

Am I Obliged to Contribute to a Pension?

Yes, for employees.

No for the self-employed, except in specific cases.

However, in all cases, it is highly recommended to prepare for your private pension as early as possible.