Secure your retirement and reduce your taxes in Germany as a freelancer
If you are self-employed in Germany, there is a private pension plan that lets you save for the future and deduct almost 100% of your contributions as a tax expense. We help you set it up for free.
Free advice · Tax optimisation tailored to your situation
Why do freelancers in Germany pay so much tax?
Unlike employees, self-employed workers and freelancers in Germany are not obliged to contribute to the state pension system. This means they have no automatic deductions to reduce their taxable income, resulting in a significantly higher tax burden.
However, since 2005 the German government approved a specific solution for this group: a private pension plan with tax advantages designed to help self-employed workers save for retirement while paying significantly less tax.
Instead of handing that money over to the tax office, you put it into your own pension plan and receive a guaranteed pension when you retire. The result can be a tax refund rather than a tax bill.
How does the tax deduction work?
The mechanism is straightforward: what you invest in the retirement plan becomes a deductible expense that directly reduces what you pay to the tax office.
You decide how much to save
There is no minimum monthly contribution required. You freely decide how much money you put into your retirement plan each month, based on your income and circumstances.
You deduct it as an expense
The payments you make to the pension plan are considered special deductible expenses. You can claim them in your tax return and reduce your taxable income accordingly.
You pay less tax
The deduction can reduce your tax burden by almost 100% of what you contribute, depending on your tax rate. In some cases, the tax office actually refunds money to you.
You collect your pension at retirement
When you reach retirement age, you receive a guaranteed monthly pension based on the accumulated capital. Your future is protected.
Real example: how much tax you could save
This is an illustrative example. Your actual savings depend on your income, tax rate and monthly contribution.
Situation: high-income freelancer
The state indirectly contributes approximately 42% of your contribution through the tax reduction.
Without a retirement plan
You pay all taxes at the maximum rate. That money goes to the tax office and you never see it again. No private pension for the future.
With a retirement plan
You reduce your tax bill by up to 100% of your contribution. The money stays in your pension plan and grows for your retirement.
Advantages of the retirement plan for freelancers
Tax reduction of up to 100%
What you contribute to the plan can be deducted almost in full as a special expense in your tax return.
Completely flexible
You can pause payments at any time and resume them whenever you like. There is no minimum contribution required.
Guaranteed pension
At retirement you receive a guaranteed monthly pension based on the accumulated capital. The exact amount is stated in the contract.
Valid if you leave Germany
If you leave, the pension continues to accumulate. At retirement you will receive it regardless of the country you are living in.
Backed by German law
Approved in 2005, it is a fully legal and regulated tax and savings instrument under German legislation.
In some cases: a tax refund
Depending on your situation, the tax office may actually refund money to you instead of you having to pay. We analyse your case.
Frequently asked questions about the freelancer retirement plan
What exactly is this retirement plan for self-employed workers?
It is a private pension plan designed specifically for self-employed workers in Germany. Your monthly contributions to the plan are classified as a deductible special expense in your tax return, directly reducing what you pay to the tax office. When you retire, you receive a guaranteed monthly pension based on the accumulated capital.
Why does the German government allow this deduction?
Unlike employees, self-employed workers do not contribute compulsorily to the state pension system. To encourage freelancers to save for retirement, the government created this tax incentive. This way, self-employed workers have a real motivation to build their own private pension.
How much do I have to pay each month?
There is no minimum monthly contribution required. You freely decide how much money you allocate to the plan each month based on your income and circumstances. You can also change the amount at any time.
Can I pause payments if my income drops?
Yes. The plan is completely flexible. You can pause contributions at any time and resume them whenever you like. During periods when you are not making contributions, the accumulated capital continues to grow.
How much can my tax bill be reduced?
You can claim a large portion of the amount invested as a special expense, which can reduce your tax burden by almost 100% of what you contribute. The exact saving depends on your tax rate and the amount you contribute. In some cases, the result is a tax refund from the tax office.
How much pension will I receive when I retire?
The amount of the guaranteed monthly pension is specified in the contract from the outset. At Bramex we search for the best offers from the available insurers and present you with exactly how much you would receive at retirement based on the monthly contribution you choose.
What happens if I return to my home country?
If you leave Germany, monthly contributions stop, but the capital accumulated up to that point remains in the contract and continues to grow. When you reach retirement age, you will receive the guaranteed monthly pension regardless of the country you are living in.
Why manage your retirement plan with Bramex?
We are affiliated with the best insurers in Germany that offer this retirement plan. We access the different available offers quickly and efficiently, acting as intermediaries between the insurer and our clients.
Personalised analysis
We study your specific tax situation and recommend the most advantageous plan for your case.
Free management
We handle all application documents completely free of charge.
In your language
We communicate with you and with the insurer in your language so you never have language barriers.
Multiple compared offers
We always present several options from different insurers so you can choose the most suitable one.
Are you a freelancer paying high taxes in Germany?
Fill in the form and we will send you the best available offers for your situation. We calculate how much you could save in tax and what your guaranteed pension at retirement would be.