Social security and health insurance

No social security agreement with Singapore; pension refund rules and mandatory health insurance.

No social security agreement

• Germany has no social security agreement with Singapore: Singapore does not appear in the German pension insurance list of agreements (DRV). Working in Berlin, you pay into German pension, health, care and unemployment insurance like any employee; periods cannot be combined with CPF.
• Refund: if you leave Germany and are no longer insured, you can apply for a refund of your own share of pension contributions after a 24-month waiting period (§ 210 SGB VI). Conditions, for example that you have no right to voluntary insurance and have not reached 5 years of contributions, must be checked with the DRV.
• Postings from a Singapore employer: without an agreement there is no certificate of coverage; German contributions are likely due. Not checked here.

Health insurance is mandatory

• Everyone living in Germany needs health insurance; employees below an income threshold are insured in statutory health insurance (§ 5 SGB V).
• For the visa you need travel or health cover as described by the embassy (embassy: health insurance). Singapore cover (MediShield Life, Integrated Shield) is not a substitute.
• Students: statutory or private student insurance. Freelancers and artists: Freelance (KSK).

Information: Make it in Germany.