German Pension When Moving to Austria: Complete Guide German pension when moving to Austria: notify DRV, transfer payments abroad, health insurance, taxes. Full guide for German pensioners relocating to Austria in 2026. Topics: Work, Salary & Taxes.

If you receive a German pension and are planning to move to Austria, you likely have questions about how your retirement income will be affected. The good news: thanks to EU social security coordination, your German state pension continues in full — no cuts, no cancellations. However, you need to take care of several formalities: notifying the Deutsche Rentenversicherung (DRV), setting up payments to an Austrian bank account, arranging health insurance, and understanding the tax implications. This guide walks you through every step of receiving your German pension in Austria.

The Basics: What Happens to Your German Pension When You Move to Austria

The core principle of EU social security coordination (Regulation EC 883/2004) is that your German pension is exportable — meaning it must be paid in full no matter which EU country you live in. Austria is a full EU member state, so your state pension remains unaffected by the move.

As confirmed by Deutsche Rentenversicherung, pensions are paid to all EU member states without reduction. Annual pension adjustments (Rentenanpassung) also apply in full.

What you must do:

• Notify the DRV of your new address in Austria
• Provide new bank details for international transfers
• Sort out health insurance arrangements
• Understand how your pension is taxed (see our separate guide)

Types of Pensions and Their Rules

Not all German pensions are treated the same way when moving abroad. There are three main categories.

State pension (gesetzliche Rente). This includes old-age pension (Altersrente), disability pension (Erwerbsminderungsrente), and survivors’ pension (Hinterbliebenenrente). This type is always paid in Austria without restrictions — it is a guaranteed right under EU law.

Company pension (Betriebsrente). The rules depend on your former employer’s policy and the pension fund (Pensionskasse). Many company pensions are also paid to EU countries, but not always. Contact your employer or pension fund well before your move.

Private pension (private Rentenversicherung, Rürup, Riester). Private insurance policies usually pay abroad according to the contract terms. However, Riester contracts have a special condition: government subsidies are tied to unlimited tax liability in Germany, which may not apply after moving to Austria.

According to the WKO, each pension type has different rules for cross-border payment. Check with each of your pension providers before relocating.

Notifying the Deutsche Rentenversicherung (DRV)

The most important step is timely notification of your move to the German pension authority. Use form R1300 (Mitteilung über einen Aufenthalt im Ausland — notification of residence abroad), available on the DRV website.

Information the DRV needs from you:

• Your new address in Austria
• Date of relocation
• Your pension insurance number (Rentenversicherungsnummer)
• New bank details (IBAN and BIC of your Austrian account)
• Copy of your registration confirmation (Meldezettel)

After arriving in Austria, you must register at the local registration office within 3 days and obtain the Meldezettel (registration of residence) form. This document will be needed for many subsequent steps.

Notify the Deutsche Rentenversicherung at least 4–6 weeks before your move. Failure to do so may result in a temporary suspension of your pension payments until formalities are resolved.

— Deutsche Rentenversicherung, information leaflet “Rente ins Ausland”

Receiving Your Pension on an Austrian Bank Account

Your German pension can be transferred to any SEPA-zone bank account — including an Austrian one. Simply provide the DRV with your new IBAN (International Bank Account Number) and BIC (Bank Identifier Code).

Euro transfers within SEPA are free of charge — no additional fees for cross-border payments. However, the transfer to an Austrian account may take 1–3 business days longer than to a German one.

You can also keep receiving payments into your German bank account, but be aware that some German banks charge account maintenance fees for residents abroad. Opening an Austrian account is straightforward with your Meldezettel and passport.

Health Insurance Options for German Pensioners in Austria

Health insurance is one of the most complex issues for German pensioners moving to Austria. You have two main options.

Option 1: Stay in the German KVdR (Krankenversicherung der Rentner). If you were in the German statutory health insurance system and meet the pre-insurance period (Vorversicherungszeit), you automatically remain covered. Contributions continue to be deducted from your pension. For medical treatment in Austria, you need the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your German health fund.

Option 2: Switch to Austrian health insurance (ÖGK). You can join the Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK) as an Austrian resident. This makes sense if you also work in Austria or receive an Austrian pension. Contributions are based on your Austrian income.

As ÖGK explains, German pensioners are entitled to healthcare in Austria under EU coordination rules. In practice, many pensioners stay in the German KVdR system initially, especially during the first years after moving. For more detail, see our guide on health insurance in Austria.

Tax Treatment of German Pensions in Austria

The taxation of your German pension while living in Austria deserves its own detailed guide. Here are the essentials.

The state pension (gesetzliche Rente) is taxed in Germany under the Double Taxation Agreement (DBA). However, Austria applies the Progression Clause (Progressionsvorbehalt): your German pension income is factored into the calculation of your Austrian tax rate, effectively increasing it.

The company pension (Betriebsrente) is fully taxed in Austria. It must be declared in your Austrian tax return under field L1i.

For a complete breakdown with examples and forms, see our dedicated guide on German pension tax in Austria.

Voluntary Contributions to the Austrian Pension System

Even if you already receive a German pension, you may be able to make voluntary contributions to the Austrian pension system. This is worth considering if you plan to stay in Austria long-term and want to boost your Austrian pension entitlement.

Voluntary top-up insurance (Section 253c ASVG) allows Austrian residents to make additional contributions. The minimum contribution is about € 15 per month (as of 2026), the maximum around € 1,200 per month.

Consult the Pension Insurance Institution (PVA) before making contributions to ensure they are beneficial in your situation. Read more about the Austrian pension age in our related article.

Combining German and Austrian Pension Contributions

If you have worked in both Germany and Austria, your insurance periods are aggregated under EU Regulation 883/2004. This means that when calculating your Austrian pension entitlement, all contribution periods from both countries are taken into account.

In practice: if you contributed in Germany for 20 years and Austria for 10 years, the 15-year Austrian waiting period (Wartezeit) is checked against your combined record — German months count toward fulfilling it.

The pension is then calculated proportionally: the DRV pays the German portion, and the Pensionsversicherungsanstalt (PVA) pays the Austrian share. You submit your application in the country where you were last insured — typically Austria.

As recommended by the PVA, apply for your pension at least 6 months before your desired retirement date, as international coordination takes additional processing time.

Practical Checklist for German Pensioners Moving to Austria

Here is your essential checklist:

1. Contact the DRV 4–6 weeks before moving and notify them of your new address
2. Decide on health insurance — stay in German KVdR with EHIC or switch to Austrian ÖGK
3. Open an Austrian bank account — SEPA transfers are free and straightforward
4. Register in Austria within 3 days — the Meldezettel is essential for everything
5. Consult a tax advisor with DBA expertise — tax planning saves money
6. Check your private and company pensions — confirm they can be paid to Austria
7. Set up mail forwarding from Germany (Nachsendeauftrag)

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my German pension be reduced when I move to Austria? No. Under EU Regulation 883/2004, your state pension is paid in full, including annual adjustments. This is a legally guaranteed right.

Do I pay tax on my German pension in Austria? The state pension is taxed in Germany but subject to the progression clause in Austria. Company pensions are fully taxed in Austria. See our dedicated tax guide for details.

Can I receive my pension on an Austrian bank account? Yes. SEPA transfers in euros are free. Simply provide the DRV with your Austrian IBAN and BIC.

What happens to my health insurance? You can stay in the German KVdR system (with EHIC for Austria) or switch to Austrian ÖGK. The choice depends on your personal circumstances.

Conclusion: A Smooth Transition to Austria

Receiving your German pension when moving to Austria is a well-regulated process under EU law. Your pension continues in full, but several formalities must be completed: notifying the DRV, opening an Austrian bank account, arranging health insurance, and understanding the tax rules.

Start your preparations at least two months before your planned move — proper planning ensures a smooth transition to your new life in Austria.

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