Germany's New Pension Depot Opens State Subsidies to Freelancers
Wiesbaden – October 29, 2026 -- From 2027, many self-employed people in Germany can claim up to 540 euros a year in state subsidies for private retirement savings, including through the new Altersvorsorgedepot (retirement savings depot).
Eligibility covers self-employed people who pay compulsory contributions into the statutory pension insurance or who file an annual tax return. The earlier Riester subsidy was open to only a few self-employed people. Under the new rules, basically everyone with income from a trade or freelance work can be supported, provided they have filed their tax return for the contribution year.