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.
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Your next steps in Germany
AdWhat 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.
Where can you find your Sozialversicherungsnummer?
Already have a number but cannot find the letter? Five places record your 12-character SV-Nummer.
- Your payslip (Gehaltsabrechnung). Once contributions start, your employer prints the number on every payslip, usually labeled "SV-Nummer" or "Versicherungsnummer".
- Your Versicherungsnummernachweis. The official letter from the Deutsche Rentenversicherung. Since 2023 it replaces the old Sozialversicherungsausweis.
- Your Jahresmeldung (Meldebescheinigung zur Sozialversicherung). Your employer issues this statement once a year for the previous year. It lists your contributions and shows the SV-Nummer.
- Letters from your public health insurer. Membership certificates (Mitgliedsbescheinigung) and confirmation letters from your Krankenkasse carry the number.
- Your former employer's files. Ask the HR or payroll department of a previous employer. They stored your SV-Nummer in the payroll records.
Want the bigger picture? Our guide explains the German social security system in full.
SV-Nummer vs. tax ID vs. the other German numbers
Sozialversicherungsnummer (SV-Nummer)
12 characters, assigned for life by the Deutsche Rentenversicherung. Tracks pension, health, unemployment and long-term care contributions.
Tax ID (Steuer-ID)
11 digits, issued by the Bundeszentralamt für Steuern. Your Finanzamt uses it for income tax. A different number.
Health insurance number (Krankenversichertennummer)
10 characters, starts with a letter, issued by your Krankenkasse. Printed on your health card (Gesundheitskarte).
PANR, BXNR, ZANR
Reference fields on Deutsche Rentenversicherung forms: the PANR is the Postabrechnungsnummer for pension payments, the BXNR is the number of a notice (Bescheidnummer), the ZANR is another reference field. If you do not receive a German pension, you usually have none of these and leave the fields blank.
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.
How it works
1. Fill the form
Enter your personal details, German address, and reason. All data stays in your browser.
2. Download the PDF
One A4 page in German containing your full application.
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
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.