Social security agreement Germany-Brazil

The agreement of 1 May 2013: pensions, posting for 24 months, adding up periods, and what is not covered.

The social security agreement between Germany and Brazil entered into force on 1 May 2013. According to the German pension insurance (DRV) it regulates relations above all in the area of pension insurance (DRV, agreements; liaison body Brazil).

What is confirmed

• Posting. If an employer sends you abroad for a time-limited assignment, you remain insured in your home country during the first 24 months (form BR/DE 101 documents German law).
• Adding up periods. German and Brazilian insurance periods are added together to meet requirements such as the waiting period. This can make a pension possible where none existed.
• Pensions abroad. The agreement allows pensions to be paid to the other country.
• Liaison bodies. For cases with German and Brazilian periods the DRV Nordbayern, DRV Bund and Knappschaft-Bahn-See act as liaison bodies; on the Brazilian side the INSS handles inquiries.

What it does not cover or we could not confirm

• Health and long-term care insurance are not covered by the agreement. People living in Brazil are not protected by German statutory health insurance, even with only a German pension.
• Whether it covers accident or unemployment insurance: the sources we read speak of pensions only.
• Child benefit (Kindergeld): in principle none for children whose home is in Brazil (§ 63 (1) sentence 6 EStG). Brazil is not a treaty state of the Familienkasse.

Practical: keep proof of your insurance periods in Brazil. For benefits in Berlin see After arrival.