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German Social Security Number Application

Generate a ready-to-mail German application letter for your Sozialversicherungsnummer. Your data stays in your browser. We never receive it.

Client-side PDF generation: your data never leaves this browser tab.
Application Mode

Personal Details

German Address

Contact (Optional, for DRV follow-up)

Reason for manual application

What is the Sozialversicherungsnummer?

The German Social Security Number (Sozialversicherungsnummer, SV-Nummer, or Rentenversicherungsnummer) is a unique 12-character ID assigned for life by the Deutsche Rentenversicherung. It tracks pension, health, unemployment and long-term care contributions.

Example format: 65 170884 J 053: area code, date of birth (DDMMYY), first letter of birth surname, gender serial, check digit.

Who needs to apply manually?

Private Health Insurance (PKV)

If you earn above the public threshold or use expat insurance, no public insurer requests your number automatically. You must apply at the Deutsche Rentenversicherung.

Working Students (Werkstudent)

If you hold private student insurance and take a paid job or internship, HR cannot onboard you without the SV-Nummer. Apply manually before your start date.

Freelancers (Freiberufler)

Freelancers often need the number for specific contracts, the Künstlersozialkasse, or voluntary pension contributions. No public insurer triggers it for you.

Oliver
Oliver, Expats.de Founder
"
A missing SV-Nummer causes almost every delayed expat paycheck. HR departments face strict audits and cannot process a full payroll without it. Treat getting this number as your most urgent administrative task right after your Anmeldung.

How it works

1

1. Fill the form

Enter your personal details, German address, and reason. All data stays in your browser.

2

2. Download the PDF

One A4 page in German containing your full application.

3

3. Print, sign, mail

Send it to Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bund, 10704 Berlin. They mail your Versicherungsnummernachweis back to your German address in 2–6 weeks.

Important Requirements

You must have a valid German mailing address with your name on the mailbox. The Deutsche Rentenversicherung sends the official Versicherungsnummernachweis only to a verified German address.

Other ways to apply at DRV

The paper letter is one of three officially supported channels. You can also:

  • Online: apply via the DRV's digital services — DRV Online-Dienste.
  • Phone: DRV hotline 0800 1000 4800 (Mo–Do 08:00–19:00, Fr 08:00–15:30, free from German lines).
  • Paper letter (this tool): download the PDF above, print, sign, mail.

Frequently Asked Questions