More and more people who have worked in Germany for many years and have acquired the right to a German old-age pension or disability pension decide to return to Poland. The reasons vary: family, health, lower living costs, the need for care from relatives, or simply the desire to spend a peaceful old age in their home country.
However, many pensioners and disability pensioners are concerned whether moving from Germany to Poland will result in the loss of their German pension, suspension of benefit payments, problems with the German health insurance fund, or loss of the right to medical treatment in Poland.
The good news is that moving to Poland while receiving a German old-age pension or disability pension is possible, legal and safe. However, this procedure must be carried out correctly, in accordance with European Union law, the rules on coordination of social security systems, and the requirements of German and Polish institutions.
Can you continue to receive a German pension after moving to Poland?
Yes. A person entitled to a German old-age pension or disability pension does not lose the right to the benefit simply because they move from Germany to Poland.
A German pension can be paid to Poland. Moving to Poland does not automatically mean the withdrawal, cancellation or suspension of the German pension. The benefit remains due, provided that it was properly granted and the person meets the conditions for receiving it.
In practice, however, it is necessary to properly report the change of place of residence, update address details, bank account details and insurance status. This is exactly where we help our Clients.
German pension and residence in Poland
Transferring the place of residence to Poland by a German pensioner or disability pensioner requires arranging several important matters. This primarily concerns contact with:
- Deutsche Rentenversicherung, i.e. the German pension insurance institution,
- the German health insurance fund, e.g. AOK, TK, Barmer, DAK, IKK, HEK or another Krankenkasse,
- Polish institutions, in particular ZUS and NFZ,
- possibly Deutsche Post Renten Service, if it participates in handling the payment of the benefit.
This is not about giving up the German pension. It is about properly reporting that the pensioner or disability pensioner already lives in Poland and wants their matters to be handled in accordance with their current life situation.
Will the German pension be taken away after returning to Poland?
No. This is one of the most common myths.
A German pension is not taken away only because the pensioner returns to Poland. The right to an old-age pension or disability pension results from insurance periods, contributions and the decision of the German pension institution. The mere fact of residing in Poland does not result in the loss of the benefit.
However, it is important that all changes are reported correctly. Failure to update data, uncollected correspondence, an incorrect address, an improper notification to health insurance or failure to complete required forms may lead to administrative problems. These problems can be avoided if the procedure is carried out in accordance with the regulations.
Medical treatment in Poland for a person receiving a German pension
A very important element of moving to Poland is the issue of health insurance.
A pensioner or disability pensioner receiving a benefit from Germany may have the right to use medical treatment in Poland under the public healthcare system. In practice, this is often done on the basis of appropriate forms and confirmations between the German health insurance fund and the Polish NFZ.
This means that a person living in Poland may use medical care in the new country of residence without having to pay privately for basic healthcare services, provided that their situation is properly reported and confirmed.
That is why it is so important to correctly determine where the given person has a health insurance entitlement, whether they receive only a German pension or also a Polish pension, and which institution is responsible for financing healthcare services.
German pension, Polish pension and NFZ
The situation of a pensioner living in Poland may vary. Some receive only a German pension. Others are entitled both to a pension from Germany and to a pension from Poland. Still others are only applying for a Polish pension.
Each of these situations requires appropriate action. Depending on the circumstances, it may be necessary to:
- report a change of address to Deutsche Rentenversicherung,
- update bank account details,
- contact the German health insurance fund,
- obtain the S1 form,
- register with the NFZ,
- arrange the health insurance contribution,
- inform ZUS about receiving a benefit from Germany,
- send pension decisions between institutions,
- clarify which country is responsible for health insurance.
For the Client, this may seem complicated, but with proper handling of the case, the procedure is calm, orderly and safe.
Moving from Germany to Poland in retirement — should you be afraid of formalities?
No. Formalities are necessary, but they should not be a cause of stress.
The most important thing is not to act chaotically and not to send random letters to institutions. In matters concerning a German pension, disability pension, Krankenkasse, NFZ and ZUS, correct terminology, the proper order of actions and a complete set of documents are very important.
Incorrectly prepared letters may lead to unnecessary questions, prolong the case or cause misunderstandings regarding health insurance. That is why it is worth entrusting the handling of the case to a company that has been dealing with such procedures for years.
MedicalAdvisor.pl — assistance in transferring a German pension to Poland
MedicalAdvisor.pl Sp. z o.o. has been helping people living in Poland and abroad for over 8 years in matters related to German pensions, disability pensions, health insurance, health insurance funds, ZUS, NFZ and the coordination of social security systems in the European Union.
We handle cases comprehensively — from analysing the situation, through preparing documents, to contact with German and Polish institutions.
We help, among others, in matters such as:
- transferring a German pension to Poland,
- changing the pensioner’s address at Deutsche Rentenversicherung,
- payment of a German pension to an account in Poland,
- contact with Deutsche Rentenversicherung,
- contact with Deutsche Post Renten Service,
- contact with the German health insurance fund,
- S1 form for a pensioner from Germany,
- registration with the NFZ in Poland,
- coordination of health insurance between Germany and Poland,
- determining the right to treatment in Poland,
- arranging health insurance contributions,
- clarifying the situation of a person receiving a pension from Germany and Poland,
- preparing letters in German and Polish,
- translation and completion of documentation.
Our goal is for the Client to be able to live peacefully in Poland, continue to receive the German pension or disability pension due to them and use medical treatment in the country of residence.
Is transferring a German pension to Poland safe?
Yes, if it is carried out correctly.
None of our Clients should fear that merely transferring their place of residence to Poland means losing the German benefit. An old-age pension or disability pension from Germany is not taken away only because the person returns to Poland.
However, compliance with regulations and procedure is crucial. Institutions must be properly informed, required documents must be submitted, and the issue of health insurance must be arranged. This is exactly what we deal with every day.
A peaceful retirement in Poland with a German benefit
Returning to Poland in retirement does not have to be difficult. It can be a calm, well-planned stage of life. A German pension or disability pension may continue to be paid into the account, and the Client may use medical treatment in Poland in accordance with European Union regulations and the rules on coordination of social security.
At MedicalAdvisor.pl, we take over the formalities, contact with institutions and preparation of documents. Thanks to this, the Client does not have to deal independently with German correspondence, forms, the health insurance fund, ZUS and NFZ.
Do you need help transferring your German pension or disability pension to Poland?
If you receive a German pension, a German disability pension or you are planning a permanent return from Germany to Poland, contact us. We will check your situation, explain possible solutions and help you carry out the entire procedure in accordance with the law.
MedicalAdvisor.pl Sp. z o.o. remains at your disposal.
We help you safely move your life to Poland — without losing your German pension, without chaos in documents and without unnecessary stress.
phone: +48 607 871 284
e-mail: kontakt@medicaladvisor.pl
