Compulsory pension insurance for the self-employed in Germany — registering with V0020

Certain self-employed people are compulsorily insured in the statutory pension scheme BY LAW, without having applied for anything (§ 2 sentence 1 SGB VI) — among them self-employed teachers and educators, carers, midwives, and people who, without employing anyone subject to insurance, work permanently and essentially for only ONE client. Those in groups no. 1 to 3 and 9 must register THEMSELVES with the competent pension insurance institution within three months of starting the activity, using its form (§ 190a(1) sentences 1 and 4 SGB VI) — that form is questionnaire V0020. According to the German Pension Insurance (Deutsche Rentenversicherung), missing the deadline can lead to back-claims for contributions.

Up to date for 2026 — verified on September 23, 2026Official procedure, no printed formGuide: about 30 min

This content is part of the path: Social security cover as a self-employed person· Step 5 of 7· Next step: Exemption from German pension insurance for single-client self-employed — form V0050

Deadlines

Registration: within three months of starting the self-employed activity: § 190a(1) sentence 1 SGB VI — applies to the groups in § 2 sentence 1 nos. 1 to 3 and 9; the pension institution's forms must be used (sentence 4)
Tradespeople: three months from the entry requirements being met: § 190a(1) sentence 2 SGB VI — not required where the facts are already entered in the Handwerksrolle (sentence 3)
Start-up exemption (no. 9): apply within three months for it to take effect from the start: § 6(4) sentence 1 SGB VI — otherwise it takes effect only from receipt of the application
Income tax assessment: submit it no later than two calendar months after it is issued: § 165(1) sentence 6 SGB VI — where earned income differing from the reference amount is being proven

Documents to prepare

Pension insurance number (Rentenversicherungsnummer)
Date the self-employed activity started
Description of the activity (e.g. teaching, care, consulting)
List of clients, with contracts or invoices showing the volume per client
Details of any staff: subject to insurance, marginal (Minijob) or apprentices
Latest income tax assessment or, for a new business, documents on expected earned income
For crafts: entry in the Handwerksrolle and proof of qualification

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Type of form and reference numbers

Type of form(optional)

Pension insurance number (12 characters, no spaces)(optional)

Reference code (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)

Former names(optional)

Name suffix of the birth name(optional)

Name prefix of the 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 of residence(optional)

Telephone(optional)

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

Fax(optional)

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

2.1 The self-employed activity

2.1 Type of activity(optional)

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

DD.MM.YYYY

2.1.1 Address of the business or place of activity(optional)

2.1.1 Business telephone and fax(optional)

2.1.2 Description of the activity — line 1(optional)

2.1.2 Description of the activity — line 2(optional)

2.1.2 Description of the activity — line 3(optional)

2.1.3 Entered in the register of craftsmen (or meeting its requirements)?(optional)

2.1.3 Registered from – to(optional)

2.1.3 Chamber of crafts(optional)

2.1.4 Also working in another EU/EEA state or in Switzerland?(optional)

2.2 Teaching activity

2.2 Teaching for an educational or other institution?(optional)

2.2.1 First contracting party (educational institution)

Name of the educational or other institution(optional)

Address(optional)

Working there since (DD.MM.YYYY)(optional)

DD.MM.YYYY

Did both parties assume self-employment when the contract was signed?(optional)

Declaration of consent (compulsory insurance as an employee at the earliest from)(optional)

Date of the declaration of consent (DD.MM.YYYY)(optional)

DD.MM.YYYY

2.2.1 Second contracting party (educational institution)

Name of the educational or other institution(optional)

Address(optional)

Working there since (DD.MM.YYYY)(optional)

DD.MM.YYYY

Did both parties assume self-employment when the contract was signed?(optional)

Declaration of consent (compulsory insurance as an employee at the earliest from)(optional)

Date of the declaration of consent (DD.MM.YYYY)(optional)

DD.MM.YYYY

2.2.1 Third contracting party (educational institution)

Name of the educational or other institution(optional)

Address(optional)

Working there since (DD.MM.YYYY)(optional)

DD.MM.YYYY

Did both parties assume self-employment when the contract was signed?(optional)

Declaration of consent (compulsory insurance as an employee at the earliest from)(optional)

Date of the declaration of consent (DD.MM.YYYY)(optional)

DD.MM.YYYY

2.2.2 Decision on employment status

2.2.2 Is there a decision on your employment status (e.g. by the clearing office)?(optional)

2.2.2 First decision

Name of the educational or other institution(optional)

Address(optional)

Working there since (DD.MM.YYYY)(optional)

DD.MM.YYYY

Body that made the decision(optional)

Date of the decision (DD.MM.YYYY)(optional)

DD.MM.YYYY

File reference(optional)

Outcome of the decision(optional)

2.2.2 Second decision

Name of the educational or other institution(optional)

Address(optional)

Working there since (DD.MM.YYYY)(optional)

DD.MM.YYYY

Body that made the decision(optional)

Date of the decision (DD.MM.YYYY)(optional)

DD.MM.YYYY

File reference(optional)

Outcome of the decision(optional)

2.2.2 Third decision

Name of the educational or other institution(optional)

Address(optional)

Working there since (DD.MM.YYYY)(optional)

DD.MM.YYYY

Body that made the decision(optional)

Date of the decision (DD.MM.YYYY)(optional)

DD.MM.YYYY

File reference(optional)

Outcome of the decision(optional)

2.3 Marginal self-employment

2.3.1 Activity started on or after 1.1.2026: does monthly income regularly exceed the marginal-earnings threshold?(optional)

2.3.2 Period from – to (line 1)(optional)

2.3.2 Applicable marginal-earnings threshold (line 1)(optional)

2.3.2 Period from – to (line 2)(optional)

2.3.2 Applicable marginal-earnings threshold (line 2)(optional)

2.3.2 Period from – to (line 3)(optional)

2.3.2 Applicable marginal-earnings threshold (line 3)(optional)

2.4 to 2.7 Employees, clients, partnership, pension

2.4 Do you regularly employ at least one employee or apprentice?(optional)

2.5 Which client(s) do you work for? — line 1(optional)

2.5 Which client(s) do you work for? — line 2(optional)

2.5.1 Several clients: are they group or affiliated companies?(optional)

2.5.2 At least 5/6 of your business income permanently from one client?(optional)

2.6 Is the business run as a partnership or company?(optional)

2.6 Name of the partnership or company(optional)

2.6 Legal form(optional)

2.6 Shared offices or practices: number of partners(optional)

1 to 3 digits

2.7 Receiving a retirement pension from a civil-service, church or professional scheme?(optional)

2.7 Since when?(optional)

2.7 From which body?(optional)

3 Further details on the activity

3.1 Already established that you are not in dependent employment with your client?(optional)

3.2 Receiving (or received) a start-up grant from the employment agency?(optional)

3.3 Previously an employee of one of your clients?(optional)

3.4 Do you work at your client's premises?(optional)

3.5 Do you have fixed working and attendance hours?(optional)

3.5 Number of hours(optional)

Up to 2 decimals, separated by a comma

3.5 The hours are per(optional)

3.6 Do you receive instructions on how to carry out the work?(optional)

3.7 Can your client change your area of work without your consent?(optional)

3.8 Does hiring substitutes or assistants require your client's consent?(optional)

3.9 Entrepreneurial conduct (capital, pricing, marketing, refusing work) — line 1(optional)

3.9 Entrepreneurial conduct — line 2(optional)

3.9 Entrepreneurial conduct — line 3(optional)

4 Monthly contribution

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

4 Estimated earned income in calendar year (YYYY)(optional)

4 digits

4 Estimated earned income — whole euros(optional)

Whole number, up to 6 digits

4 Estimated earned income — cents (two digits)(optional)

2 digits

4 Estimate based on the period from (DD.MM.YYYY)(optional)

DD.MM.YYYY

4 Estimate based on the period to (DD.MM.YYYY)(optional)

DD.MM.YYYY

4 Attached: certificate from the tax adviser

4 Attached: other suitable documents

5 Method of payment

5 Method of payment(optional)

6 Accessible documents for visually impaired people

6 Documents additionally in an accessible format(optional)

7 and 8 Declaration and attachments

7 Place, date(optional)

8 Attachment: form V0005 (SEPA direct debit mandate)

8 Other attachments(optional)

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Who this applies to

Self-employed teachers and educators (Lehrer und Erzieher) who, in connection with their self-employment, do not regularly employ anyone subject to insurance (§ 2 sentence 1 no. 1 SGB VI) — the Deutsche Rentenversicherung reads 'teacher' broadly: private tutoring, golf or aerobics lessons, and also coaches, trainers and moderators may qualify
Self-employed carers in nursing, maternity, infant or child care (Pflegepersonen), likewise without an employee subject to insurance (§ 2 sentence 1 no. 2 SGB VI)
Midwives and male midwives (Hebammen und Entbindungspfleger) — here WITHOUT the condition of employing no one (§ 2 sentence 1 no. 3 SGB VI)
Self-employed people who do not regularly employ anyone subject to insurance and work permanently and essentially for only one client; for partners, the company's clients count as the clients (§ 2 sentence 1 no. 9 SGB VI)
Tradespeople entered in the register of craftsmen (Handwerksrolle) who personally meet the entry requirements (§ 2 sentence 1 no. 8 SGB VI) — they report only what is NOT yet entered in the Handwerksrolle (§ 190a(1) sentences 2 and 3 SGB VI)
NOT by this route: artists and publicists (no. 5) — they are insured through the Künstlersozialkasse and register there; according to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung, sea pilots and coastal skippers and fishers are reported by third parties
NOT compulsorily insured: anyone whose self-employment is only marginal (geringfügig) (§ 5(2) sentence 1 no. 2 SGB VI)
NOT covered here: bogus self-employment (Scheinselbständigkeit) — someone self-employed only on paper who works like an employee is in dependent employment and must be insured as an employee; that is a different procedure

Worked example

Lena Hartwig sets up as a self-employed language trainer

From 1 March 2026 Lena teaches German courses for adults on a self-employed basis at several language schools and employs no one. She assumes she is not affected because she has applied for nothing — but as a self-employed teacher with no employee subject to insurance she is compulsorily insured by law (§ 2 sentence 1 no. 1 SGB VI). She expects a profit of about EUR 28,000 for 2026, well above marginal activity (§ 5(2) sentence 1 no. 2 SGB VI). In May, within the three-month period, she completes questionnaire V0020 online and sends it to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung (§ 190a(1) sentences 1 and 4 SGB VI). Because she has several schools as clients, she does not look at the start-up exemption at all: § 6(1a) SGB VI applies only to group no. 9, not to teachers. For assessing contributions, until the end of three calendar years after the year she started, i.e. until the end of 2029, earned income equal to 50 percent of the reference amount (Bezugsgröße) applies, or the full reference amount on application (§ 165(1) sentence 2 SGB VI). If her income differs, she can prove it with her latest income tax assessment, which she submits no later than two calendar months after it is issued (§ 165(1) sentences 3 and 6 SGB VI). The amounts are illustrative.

How to fill it in, step by step

Check whether your activity falls within one of the groups in § 2 sentence 1 SGB VI — in particular teachers/educators (no. 1), carers (no. 2), midwives (no. 3) or working essentially for one client (no. 9).
Check whether you employ anyone subject to insurance: marginal employees (Minijobber) do not count, apprentices do (§ 2 sentence 2 SGB VI).
Check whether your self-employment is only marginal — if so, you are exempt from insurance (§ 5(2) sentence 1 no. 2 SGB VI).
Open questionnaire V0020 on the Deutsche Rentenversicherung website — as an online form in 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.
Answer the questionnaire and upload the documents requested — the online form allows uploads and saving a draft.
Send the questionnaire within three months of starting the activity (§ 190a(1) sentence 1 SGB VI).
If you belong to group no. 9, decide whether to apply for the exemption under § 6(1a) SGB VI — and apply within three months so that it takes effect from the start (§ 6(4) SGB VI).
If your income differs from the reference amount, submit your income tax assessment no later than two calendar months after it is issued (§ 165(1) sentence 6 SGB VI).

Good to know

The obligation arises from the statute, not from the questionnaire: V0020 serves to ESTABLISH that it exists.
V0020 has a second purpose named in its title: applying for compulsory insurance. Anyone self-employed on more than a temporary basis may apply for compulsory insurance within five years of starting the activity (§ 4(2) SGB VI).
Midwives remain compulsorily insured even if they employ staff — § 2 sentence 1 no. 3 SGB VI has no employee condition.
Group no. 9 has two exemptions: for three years after first taking up such an activity, and after reaching age 58 if one becomes insurable under no. 9 for the first time following a previous self-employed activity (§ 6(1a) sentence 1 SGB VI). A business that is merely renamed is not a new start (sentence 3).
Tradespeople are exempted on application once compulsory contributions have been paid for them for at least 18 years (§ 6(1) sentence 1 no. 4 SGB VI).
The contribution base is in principle earned income equal to the reference amount (Bezugsgröße), or, where lower or higher earned income is proven, that income, but at least twelve times the marginal-earnings threshold (§ 165(1) sentence 1 no. 1 SGB VI). The reference amount is set anew each year — the value for the relevant year applies.
According to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung, someone with several self-employed activities may be compulsorily insured several times over, but in total only up to the contribution assessment ceiling.
According to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung, the registration duty also applies where a start-up grant (Gründungszuschuss) is received.

Common mistakes

Believing that self-employed people are never compulsorily insured. § 2 SGB VI lists the groups that are, by law.
Reading 'teacher' too narrowly. The Deutsche Rentenversicherung includes private tutoring, sports and fitness lessons, coaching and training.
Waiting to be contacted. Groups no. 1 to 3 and 9 must register themselves (§ 190a(1) sentence 1 SGB VI).
Counting a Minijobber as an employee subject to insurance. Marginal employees are not employees within § 2 sentence 1 nos. 1, 2, 7 and 9 (§ 2 sentence 2 no. 2 SGB VI).
Assuming the start-up exemption applies to every group. § 6(1a) SGB VI covers only people insurable under § 2 sentence 1 no. 9.
Applying for the exemption late. After three months it takes effect only from receipt (§ 6(4) sentence 1 SGB VI).
Leaving the income tax assessment in the drawer. It must be submitted no later than two calendar months after it is issued (§ 165(1) sentence 6 SGB VI).

Frequently asked questions

I have not applied for anything — can I still be compulsorily insured?

Yes. The self-employed people listed in § 2 sentence 1 SGB VI are compulsorily insured by law. Questionnaire V0020 establishes that obligation; it does not create it.

By when must I register?

Within three months of starting the self-employed activity, with the competent pension insurance institution and on its form (§ 190a(1) sentences 1 and 4 SGB VI).

What happens if I miss the deadline?

The obligation exists regardless of registration. The Deutsche Rentenversicherung points out that contributions may then be claimed retroactively and that fines may be imposed in individual cases.

I work for only one client. Am I affected?

If you do not regularly employ anyone subject to insurance and work permanently and essentially for only one client, yes (§ 2 sentence 1 no. 9 SGB VI). You can be exempted for three years after first taking up such an activity (§ 6(1a) sentence 1 no. 1 SGB VI).

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 percent of the reference amount, or the full reference amount on application (§ 165(1) sentence 2 SGB VI). The reference amount changes every year.

Do I have to register as a tradesperson too?

Only for what the Handwerksrolle does not yet show: meeting the entry requirements in your own person, or running a former ancillary business as your main business, within three months (§ 190a(1) sentences 2 and 3 SGB VI). According to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung, the chambers of crafts report entries, changes and deletions.

Go further

Understand this form: the related course

Bogus self-employment and pension insurance in Germany

Related forms

Official sources

§ 2 SGB VI — self-employed persons (Gesetze im Internet, Federal Ministry of Justice) — September 23, 2026
§ 190a SGB VI — registration duty of compulsorily insured self-employed persons — September 23, 2026
§ 6 SGB VI — exemption from compulsory insurance — September 23, 2026
§ 165 SGB VI — contributory income of self-employed persons — September 23, 2026
§ 5 SGB VI — exemption for marginal self-employment — September 23, 2026
§ 4 SGB VI — compulsory insurance on application — September 23, 2026
Deutsche Rentenversicherung — self-employed persons (compulsorily insured self-employed, registration duty) — September 23, 2026
Deutsche Rentenversicherung — form page V0020 (version 20, as of 30.06.2026) — September 23, 2026

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