Pension insurance for tradespeople in Germany — questionnaire V0010

A tradesperson whose business is entered in the Register of Craftspersons (Handwerksrolle) and who PERSONALLY meets the requirements for that entry is compulsorily insured in the German statutory pension scheme by operation of law (§ 2 sentence 1 no. 8 SGB VI) — and, unlike self-employed teachers, carers or people working for a single client, EVEN IF they employ staff. They only have to report what is not yet in the Handwerksrolle (§ 190a(1) sentences 2 and 3 SGB VI); according to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung, the chamber of crafts reports the entries. The pension insurance institution then establishes the insurance obligation with questionnaire V0010, and any information it requests must be given without delay (§ 196(1) SGB VI). After at least 18 years of compulsory contributions, the tradesperson can apply to be exempted (§ 6(1) sentence 1 no. 4 SGB VI).

Up to date for 2025 — verified on September 23, 2026Official formGuide: about 30 min

Deadlines

Report: within three months of personally meeting the requirements for entry: § 190a(1) sentence 2 SGB VI — not required where the facts are already entered in the Handwerksrolle (sentence 3); the insurance institution's forms must be used (sentence 4)
Questionnaire V0010 received: answer without delay: § 196(1) sentence 1 no. 1 SGB VI — on request, all facts needed to establish the insurance and contribution obligation; documents likewise on request without delay (sentence 2)
Exemption after 18 years of compulsory contributions: apply within three months so it takes effect from when the conditions are met: § 6(4) sentence 1 SGB VI — if applied for later, the exemption only takes effect from receipt of the application
Income tax assessment: submit at the latest two calendar months after it is issued: § 165(1) sentence 6 SGB VI — where earned income differing from the reference amount (Bezugsgröße) is being proved

Documents to prepare

Pension insurance number (Rentenversicherungsnummer)
Entry in the Handwerksrolle and name of the chamber of crafts
Proof of qualification (for example the master craftsman's certificate)
Date since which you have been self-employed, and the business address
Details of earlier entries in the Handwerksrolle and of activities in another EU or EEA state or Switzerland (A1 certificate, if any)
Evidence of any pension provision or earlier exemption
Estimate of earned income (profit) for the starting year with supporting documents, or the latest income tax assessment
For direct debit of contributions: SEPA direct debit mandate (form V0005)

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The official form itself, pre-filled with your entries. Only the boxes that match the fields below are filled in: complete the others on the form before filing it.

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All fields are required unless marked “optional”.

Insurance number and reference (on every page)

Pension insurance number (Versicherungsnummer)(optional)

Reference (Kennzeichen), if known(optional)

1 Personal details

Surname(optional)

First name(optional)

Name suffix (e.g. Freifrau, Graf)(optional)

Name prefix (e.g. von, van, de)(optional)

Title (e.g. Prof. Dr. med.)(optional)

Birth name(optional)

Previous names(optional)

Name suffix of birth name(optional)

Name prefix of birth name(optional)

Date of birth (DD.MM.YYYY)(optional)

DD.MM.YYYY

Sex(optional)

Nationality (and former nationality with end date, if any)(optional)

Place of birth(optional)

Country of birth(optional)

Street and house number(optional)

Address supplement(optional)

Postcode(optional)

5 digits

Town(optional)

Telephone(optional)

6 to 20 characters: digits, spaces, + and .

Fax(optional)

6 to 20 characters: digits, spaces, + and .

2 Self-employed activity

2.1 Were you previously entered in the Handwerksrolle?(optional)

2.1 If yes: from – to(optional)

2.1 If yes: chamber of crafts(optional)

2.2 Self-employed in Germany since (DD.MM.YYYY)(optional)

DD.MM.YYYY

2.2.1 Business address(optional)

2.2.1 Business telephone, fax (optional)(optional)

2.3 Besides your activity in Germany, are you self-employed or employed in another EU/EEA state or Switzerland?(optional)

3.1 and 3.2 Freedom from / exemption from pension insurance

3.1 Do you receive a pension (civil-service, church or professional scheme) because you reached an age limit?(optional)

3.1 If yes: since when? (DD.MM.YYYY)(optional)

DD.MM.YYYY

3.1 If yes: from which institution?(optional)

3.2 Were you exempted from compulsory pension insurance before 1.1.1992?(optional)

3.2 If yes: since when? (DD.MM.YYYY)(optional)

DD.MM.YYYY

3.2 If yes: pension insurance institution(optional)

3.2 If yes: insurance number / file reference(optional)

3.3 and 3.4 Marginal activity and exemption after 18 years

3.3.1 Activity started on or after 1.1.2026: does your estimated monthly earned income regularly exceed the marginal-employment threshold?(optional)

3.3.2 Activity started before 1.1.2026 — period 1 (from – to)(optional)

3.3.2 Period 1: applicable marginal-employment threshold(optional)

3.3.2 Period 2 (from – to)(optional)

3.3.2 Period 2: applicable marginal-employment threshold(optional)

3.3.2 Period 3 (from – to)(optional)

3.3.2 Period 3: applicable marginal-employment threshold(optional)

3.4 Are you applying for exemption because compulsory contributions have been paid for you for at least 18 years?(optional)

4 Monthly contribution

4 If insurance is compulsory, I apply to pay the(optional)

4 Estimated earned income in calendar year (year insurance begins)(optional)

4 digits

4 Estimated earned income — euros(optional)

Whole number, up to 6 digits

4 Estimated earned income — cents(optional)

2 digits

4 Period underlying the estimate, from (DD.MM.YYYY)(optional)

DD.MM.YYYY

4 to (DD.MM.YYYY, at most 31 December of the starting year)(optional)

DD.MM.YYYY

4 Enclosed: certificate from the tax adviser

4 Enclosed: other suitable documents

5 Method of payment and 6 Accessible documents

5 Method of payment(optional)

6 Documents also in an accessible format (only in case of disability)(optional)

7 Declaration and 8 Attachments

7 Place, date(optional)

8 Attachment: form V0005 (SEPA core direct debit mandate)

8 Other attachments(optional)

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Official form pre-filled with your data: read every box and check the amounts before filing or paying.

Who this applies to

Tradespeople entered in the Handwerksrolle who personally meet the requirements for entry (§ 2 sentence 1 no. 8 SGB VI) — according to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung, usually through the master craftsman's examination (Meisterprüfung)
Also tradespeople WITH employees subject to insurance: unlike nos. 1, 2 and 9, no. 8 sets no condition about employing staff (§ 2 sentence 1 SGB VI)
Partners in a partnership with legal capacity entered in the Handwerksrolle who personally meet the requirements for entry (§ 2 sentence 1 no. 8, second half-sentence, SGB VI) — according to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung, whether they are personally liable or limited partners
Anyone running a craft business that used to be an ancillary business as their main business: that fact must also be reported within three months unless it is already in the Handwerksrolle (§ 190a(1) sentences 2 and 3 SGB VI)
NOT insured as a tradesperson: ancillary and auxiliary businesses within §§ 2 and 3 of the Crafts Code and businesses continued under § 4 of the Crafts Code (§ 2 sentence 1 no. 8 SGB VI) — according to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung, for example widows, heirs or executors carrying on the business after the tradesperson's death
NOT insured as a tradesperson: anyone running a craft that needs no licence (zulassungsfrei) or a craft-like trade, and shareholders of a registered GmbH, AG or KGaA — according to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung, another insurance obligation may still apply, for example as a self-employed person with a single client
NOT insured, anyone whose self-employment is only marginal (geringfügig) (§ 5(2) sentence 1 no. 2 SGB VI)

Worked example

Tobias Kranich opens his own workshop as a master carpenter

Tobias passes his master craftsman's examination in 2025 and his joinery is entered in the Handwerksrolle on 1 March 2026. He employs two journeymen from the start and so assumes he is not subject to pension insurance — a mistake: unlike the rules for teachers or for self-employed people with one client, § 2 sentence 1 no. 8 SGB VI requires NO absence of employees. Because his entry is already in the Handwerksrolle, he does not have to report anything himself (§ 190a(1) sentence 3 SGB VI); the chamber of crafts reports the entry. In April he receives questionnaire V0010 and answers it the same week, as § 196(1) SGB VI requires: never previously in the Handwerksrolle, no activity in another EU state, expected profit for 2026 around EUR 42,000, far above a marginal activity (§ 5(2) sentence 1 no. 2 SGB VI). Until the end of three calendar years after the year he started — so until the end of 2029 — the contribution base is earned income equal to 50 per cent of the reference amount (Bezugsgröße); only on his application the full reference amount (§ 165(1) sentence 2 SGB VI). Tobias stays on the half base. From 2030 the base is the reference amount or, if he proves it, his actual earned income (sentence 1 no. 1); he then submits his income tax assessment no later than two calendar months after it is issued (sentence 6). The amounts are illustrative.

How to fill it in, step by step

Check whether your business is entered in the Handwerksrolle and whether you personally meet the requirements for entry (§ 2 sentence 1 no. 8 SGB VI).
Check the exceptions: ancillary or auxiliary business, continuation after the tradesperson's death, licence-free craft or craft-like trade, shareholder of a corporation — then there is no insurance obligation AS a tradesperson.
Report yourself within three months anything the Handwerksrolle does not yet show — for example running a former ancillary business as your main business (§ 190a(1) sentences 2 and 3 SGB VI).
Answer questionnaire V0010 fully and without delay once the pension insurance institution asks for it, and enclose the documents requested (§ 196(1) SGB VI) — online via eAntrag or as a PDF.
Have your pension insurance number ready: according to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung, it is all you need to start the online form.
Decide on the contribution base for the first years: 50 per cent of the reference amount until the end of three calendar years after the year you started, or the full reference amount on application (§ 165(1) sentence 2 SGB VI).
If there is no income tax assessment yet for the craft activity, document the annual earned income for the starting year (§ 165(1) sentence 9 SGB VI).
Once at least 18 years of compulsory contributions have been paid, apply for exemption — within three months, so that it takes effect from when the conditions are met (§ 6(1) sentence 1 no. 4 and (4) SGB VI).

Good to know

The trigger is entry in the Handwerksrolle, not the number of clients or employees: this is what sets tradespeople apart from all other groups in § 2 sentence 1 SGB VI that carry an employee condition.
According to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung, chambers of crafts report registrations, changes and deletions in the Handwerksrolle, and the insurance institution is bound by them. The chamber also reports when a partner only acquires the craft qualification later.
According to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung, crafts that require a licence (zulassungspflichtig) are in principle subject to insurance — it names, for example, bricklayers, carpenters, roofers, electrical technicians, joiners, bakers, confectioners, butchers and hairdressers. For some trades already carried on before 14.2.2020, no insurance obligation arises in principle.
Exemption after 18 years of compulsory contributions is only granted on application (§ 6(2) sentence 1 SGB VI) and is limited to the self-employed activity concerned (§ 6(5) sentence 1 SGB VI).
Exemption through a professional pension scheme (§ 6(1) sentence 1 no. 1 SGB VI) is not open to tradespeople: it expressly does not apply to the persons in sentence 1 no. 4 (§ 6(1) sentence 6 SGB VI).
The contribution base is in principle earned income equal to the reference amount; if lower or higher earned income is proved, that income, but at least twelve times the marginal-employment threshold (Geringfügigkeitsgrenze) (§ 165(1) sentence 1 no. 1 SGB VI). Both values change every year; the threshold applying on 1 January of the calendar year is decisive.
Anyone carrying on another self-employed activity alongside the craft can, according to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung, become insured in both — its example is a tradesperson who also works as a self-employed tennis coach — but in total only up to the contribution assessment ceiling.
If facts relevant to the insurance or contribution obligation change later and are not reported by third parties, they must be notified without delay (§ 196(1) sentence 1 no. 2 SGB VI).

Common mistakes

Believing that a tradesperson with employees is not subject to pension insurance. § 2 sentence 1 no. 8 SGB VI has no such condition.
Ignoring questionnaire V0010 because you applied for nothing. The obligation exists by law; information must be given without delay on request (§ 196(1) SGB VI).
Failing to report that a former ancillary business is now run as the main business because an entry already exists. What the Handwerksrolle does not yet contain must be reported (§ 190a(1) sentences 2 and 3 SGB VI).
Assuming tradesperson insurance as a GmbH shareholder. According to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung, shareholders of a registered corporation are not insured as tradespeople — another obligation remains possible.
Treating the 18-year exemption as automatic. It is only granted on application (§ 6(2) sentence 1 SGB VI) and, after three months, only takes effect from receipt (§ 6(4) sentence 1 SGB VI).
Treating the half contribution as an option you have to take up. In the first years it is the legal base under § 165(1) sentence 2 SGB VI; what you apply for is the FULL reference amount.

Frequently asked questions

I employ several journeymen — am I still subject to pension insurance?

Yes, if you are entered in the Handwerksrolle and personally meet the requirements for entry. Unlike nos. 1, 2 and 9, § 2 sentence 1 no. 8 SGB VI sets no condition about employing staff.

Do I have to report to the pension insurance myself?

Only for what is not yet entered in the Handwerksrolle: personally meeting the entry requirements, or running a former ancillary business as your main business, in each case within three months (§ 190a(1) sentences 2 and 3 SGB VI). According to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung, the chamber of crafts reports the entries themselves.

What is questionnaire V0010?

The form the Deutsche Rentenversicherung uses to establish the insurance obligation of tradespeople running craft businesses. It offers it online via eAntrag and as a PDF and recommends the online form. Information and documents requested must be provided without delay (§ 196(1) SGB VI).

Can I be exempted as a tradesperson?

Yes, once compulsory contributions have been paid for you for at least 18 years (§ 6(1) sentence 1 no. 4 SGB VI), and only on your application (subsection 2 sentence 1). If you apply within three months, the exemption takes effect from when the conditions are met, otherwise from receipt (subsection 4 sentence 1).

What is the contribution base at the start?

Until the end of three calendar years after the year you started, earned income equal to 50 per cent of the reference amount, or the full reference amount on application (§ 165(1) sentence 2 SGB VI). The reference amount is reset every year.

I am carrying on my late father's business. Am I insured as a tradesperson?

Not as a tradesperson: businesses continued under § 4 of the Crafts Code are disregarded under § 2 sentence 1 no. 8 SGB VI. According to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung this applies to widows or widowers, heirs, civil partners, estate administrators and executors.

Go further

Related forms

Official sources

§ 2 SGB VI — Self-employed persons (no. 8: tradespeople; Gesetze im Internet, Federal Ministry of Justice) — September 23, 2026
§ 190a SGB VI — Reporting obligation of insured self-employed persons — September 23, 2026
§ 196 SGB VI — Duties to provide information and notify changes — September 23, 2026
§ 6 SGB VI — Exemption from compulsory insurance (subs. 1 sentence 1 no. 4: 18 years of compulsory contributions) — September 23, 2026
§ 165 SGB VI — Contributory income of self-employed persons — September 23, 2026
§ 5 SGB VI — Exemption from insurance (marginal self-employment) — September 23, 2026
Deutsche Rentenversicherung — Self-employed persons (tradespeople and home workers, reporting obligation) — September 23, 2026
Deutsche Rentenversicherung — V0010 form page (version 18, as of 20.11.2025) — September 23, 2026

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Guide and document provided for information purposes only; they do not constitute personalised legal or tax advice. Check the recipient organisation's requirements and consult a professional if needed.