Quick Answer
Can I receive my German pension in Turkey?
Yes. Deutsche Rentenversicherung pays pensions internationally including to Turkey. Your pension is adjusted annually regardless of where you live. You must submit an annual Lebensbescheinigung (life certificate) and apply to BZSt for DTA tax relief to avoid double taxation. Health insurance requires separate private coverage — GKV membership ends when you emigrate.
German State Pension (Gesetzliche Rente) — Key Facts
Can German pension be paid to Turkey?
Yes. The Deutsche Rentenversicherung (DRV) pays German state pensions to recipients worldwide, including Turkey. You will need a Turkish bank account or a German account for receipt.
Does the DRV-Turkey social security agreement cover pension?
Yes — Germany and Turkey have a long-standing social security agreement (since 1965, updated 1984) covering pension rights for Turkish workers in Germany and German workers in Turkey. This is particularly relevant for long-term migrants.
Is my pension adjusted annually?
German pensions are adjusted annually in line with wage developments in Germany. Unlike the UK frozen pension issue, German pension uprating is not dependent on your country of residence — it applies globally.
How do I notify DRV of Turkish residency?
Contact Deutsche Rentenversicherung directly (drv.de) and update your correspondence and payment address to Turkey. You will need to complete regular life certificates (Lebensbescheinigung) to confirm you are still alive.
What is the Lebensbescheinigung?
The Lebensbescheinigung is an annual life certificate you must submit to DRV to confirm you are alive and entitled to continue receiving your pension. In Turkey it can usually be certified at the German Consulate or a Turkish notary.
Is my German pension taxable in Turkey?
The Germany-Turkey double taxation agreement (DTA) determines where pension income is taxed. For private/state pensions, Turkey is generally the primary taxing country for Turkish residents. Withholding tax in Germany may apply — apply for reduction via the DTA.
Germany-Turkey Double Taxation Agreement (DTA)
Article 18 (Pensions)
Pensions and similar remuneration paid to a resident of Turkey in consideration of past employment are taxable only in Turkey as the state of residence.
Article 19 (Government Service)
Pensions paid by Germany in respect of services to the German government (Beamtenpensionen / civil service) are taxable only in Germany — regardless of where the recipient lives.
Withholding tax
Germany may withhold tax at source on pension payments. As a Turkish resident you can apply to the Bundeszentralamt für Steuern (BZSt) for a tax reduction or exemption certificate under the DTA.
Application form
Use form "Antrag auf Erstattung / Befreiung von der deutschen Quellensteuer" from BZSt (bzst.de) — also known as the DTA application for non-residents.
Practical Steps for German Retirees Moving to Turkey
Notify Deutsche Rentenversicherung of your Turkish address
Contact DRV and update your address and bank details. Request that payments are made to a Turkish IBAN or provide a German account for receipt.
Apply to BZSt for DTA withholding tax relief
Submit the relevant form to Bundeszentralamt für Steuern to reduce or eliminate German withholding tax on your pension under the DTA.
Obtain annual Lebensbescheinigung
Each year, get this life certificate stamped at the German Consulate in Ankara, Istanbul, or Izmir, or at a Turkish notary. Return it to DRV on time.
Register as a tax resident in Turkey
File a Turkish income tax return (yıllık gelir vergisi beyannamesi) declaring your German pension income. Engage a Turkish tax accountant (mali müşavir).
Arrange health insurance for Turkey
Get private international health insurance covering Turkey — Turkish law requires health insurance for ikamet (residence permit) applications.
Notify Finanzamt of emigration
Inform your local German tax office (Finanzamt) that you are emigrating. This triggers a final German tax assessment and establishes your non-residency for German tax purposes.
GKV (Health Insurance) When Leaving Germany
- !If you were a member of the German statutory health insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung / GKV), you must formally leave the system when you emigrate to Turkey
- !GKV membership ends when you deregister (Abmeldung) from Germany and are no longer subject to German social security
- !German pensioners (Rentner) who receive a pension from Germany may be eligible to continue KVdR (Krankenversicherung der Rentner) if they have sufficient GKV contribution history
- !KVdR provides health coverage in Germany for pensioners — but it does not cover you in Turkey; you need separate Turkish or international health insurance
- !If you leave the GKV, you should purchase private international health insurance covering Turkey
- !Private Krankenversicherung (PKV) policies vary — contact your insurer about international coverage or continuation when moving abroad
Pflegeversicherung (Long-Term Care) Abroad
Pflegeversicherung (LTC insurance)
Contributions to the German statutory long-term care insurance end when you leave Germany and the GKV. You cannot usually continue contributing from abroad.
Benefits abroad
If you are already receiving Pflegegeld (care allowance) or have an assessed Pflegegrad, payments can continue to Turkey — contact your Pflegekasse.
Turkish care options
Turkey has limited state long-term care infrastructure. Private nursing homes (huzurevi) and home care services exist but quality varies greatly. Budget for private care costs.
German private LTC insurance
If you held a private Pflegeversicherung, check whether it continues internationally and what the coverage terms are when abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay German income tax on my pension if I live in Turkey?
For most private and statutory (gesetzliche Rente) pensions, the Germany-Turkey DTA means Turkey has the primary taxing right for Turkish residents. You should apply for a DTA exemption certificate from BZSt to reduce or eliminate German withholding. Government service pensions (Beamtenpension) remain taxable only in Germany.
Will my German pension still be paid if I move to Turkey permanently?
Yes. Deutsche Rentenversicherung pays pensions internationally. You need to keep your address updated, submit annual Lebensbescheinigung, and ensure your bank details are current.
Can Turkish citizens who worked in Germany and returned claim their German pension?
Yes. This is specifically covered by the Germany-Turkey social security agreement. Turkish workers who contributed to the German pension system can claim their earned German pension rights even if they return to Turkey.
Does moving to Turkey affect my German Betriebsrente (company pension)?
Company pensions can be paid internationally. The same DTA rules apply — private pensions are generally taxed in Turkey as the country of residence. Contact your pension provider (Versorgungswerk or former employer) to update your payment details.
Steuer- und Rechtshinweis / Legal & Tax Disclaimer
Diese Seite enthält allgemeine Informationen und keine steuerliche oder rechtliche Beratung. This page provides general information only. German-Turkish pension and tax rules are complex and change over time. Always consult a Steuerberater (German tax adviser) and/or a Turkish mali müşavir familiar with cross-border issues before making decisions.