Social security and health

Germany-Canada pension agreement (incl. Quebec), mandatory German health insurance, provincial plan on leaving.

Social security agreement

• Germany and Canada signed a social security agreement on 14 Nov 1985; the approval law of 12 Jan 1988 (BGBl. 1988 II p. 26) also covers the separate agreement with Quebec (14 May 1987). Quebec's agreement was replaced by one of 20 Apr 2010 (BGBl. 2011 II p. 18), applied since 1 Apr 2014. The 1985 agreement has been in force since 1 April 1988 (German missions: Living and working in Germany).
• It covers pension insurance (DRV: agreements). On the Canadian side: Old Age Security, Canada Pension Plan and Quebec Pension Plan. Insurance periods can be combined to meet minimum periods.
• Posting: up to 60 months, with certificate CAN 1 (Quebec: QU/DE 101). An exception agreement is possible via the DVKA. Liaison agencies: DRV Nord, DRV Bund, DRV Knappschaft-Bahn-See.
• Accident insurance is covered only through the Quebec arrangement of 20 Apr 2010 (BGBl. 2011 II p. 18), in force since 1 Apr 2014 (DRV: Canada/Quebec). Health insurance is not covered by the agreement.

Health insurance in Germany is mandatory

• Employees below the income threshold are in statutory insurance (§ 5 SGB V). The 2026 threshold was not verified.
• A provincial plan (OHIP, RAMQ, MSP and others) does not cover you in Germany once you live there. Rules on when cover ends after leaving differ by province, often with a waiting period. Ask your plan before you leave and keep private cover for the gap.
• For the permit you must show German-valid cover. A travel policy is enough only for the working holiday (1 year). Whether Canadian private travel plans satisfy the LEA: ask it.
• Freelancers and artists: Freelance. Family co-insurance depends on income.

Information: Make it in Germany.