The social security number (Sozialversicherungsnummer, SV-Nummer, also called the pension insurance number) is one of the key identifiers in Germany and stays with every employee from their first salary to retirement.

What the social security number is for

The number links all your contributions to pension, unemployment, health and long-term care insurance. Without it, your employer cannot register you with social insurance.

The structure of the 12-character number

The number has 12 characters: two digits for the pension insurance institution, six digits for your date of birth (DDMMYY), the first letter of your surname at birth, a serial number and a check digit.

How the number is first assigned

When you start your first job in Germany, your health insurance fund usually requests the number. Deutsche Rentenversicherung assigns it and sends you your social security card (Sozialversicherungsausweis).

Where to find the number and how to get a replacement

The number appears on your monthly payslip (Entgeltabrechnung), on the annual social insurance statement (Meldebescheinigung zur Sozialversicherung) and in letters from the pension insurance. You can order a replacement card online from Deutsche Rentenversicherung free of charge.

What to check

  • Find the 12-character number on your monthly payslip.
  • Keep your social security card in your personal archive.
  • Give the number to HR when you change jobs.
  • If you lose it, order a free replacement from the pension insurance.

Example situation

When changing jobs, an employee copies his social security number from his old payslip into his new employer's personnel form and speeds up his onboarding.

Next step

Your social security number is assigned once and stays the same for life; it ensures that every period of contributions counts towards your pension.

Official information on this topic

Checklists and examples are organisational recommendations. Requirements depend on the procedure, the city and your situation; check them with the relevant office before you act. Please discuss legal and tax questions with an authorised professional.

This article was prepared with the help of AI. The example illustrates the approach and does not describe a client case.