Reapply for a social security card

The social security card is a letter that has your social security number written next to your personal information.

The Social Security number will be used by your employer to identify you in all social security reports (for example, registrations, deductions or annual declarations). The social security number remains the same for life. This is the number under which the pension insurance company manages your insured account.

In the event of loss or damage, a new social security card may be issued.

• online
• at an information and advice centre of the German Pension Insurance or
• can be applied for at the health insurance company.

When you start a new job, you must present the social security card to your employer. If you do not yet have a social security number, you can register without a social security number. The registration by the employer then triggers the reassignment of a social security number. Your social security card will be sent to you automatically.

You will also need your social security card if you apply for a social benefit, such as unemployment benefits.

If your name changes, for example in the course of a marriage, you will automatically receive a new social security card.

Note: Your data will also be displayed as a machine-readable code (QR code) on your social security card.