An independent magazine for building a life in Germany.
Comparison
Beyond the state pension: we compare the best private and ETF-based retirement options for expats living and working in Germany.
By Mahiuddin Al Kamal · 5 options
The German state pension (gesetzliche Rente) alone rarely covers a comfortable retirement, and as an expat you may not stay long enough to build a full entitlement. That is why a private pension layer matters, especially the tax-advantaged options that reduce your taxable income today.
We compared the most expat-friendly platforms: Raisin (WeltSparen) for ETF-based private pensions and Rürup, and Horizon65 for English-language planning that maps all three German pension pillars for you.
We weighted English-language service, whether the product is ETF-based (lower fees than classic insurance pensions), tax efficiency, and portability if you leave Germany. Horizon65 is the best starting point because it shows your actual pension gap first; Raisin is the strongest place to act on it with low-cost ETF products.
Note: Rürup (Basisrente) gives strong tax deductions but locks your money until retirement and is not paid out as a lump sum. If there is a real chance you will leave Germany for good, weigh flexibility against the tax break carefully.
01 / At a glance
Pick an option name to jump to its full write-up below.
| Option | Rating | Best for | Type | English | Tax-advantaged | Portable | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top pick Raisin (WeltSparen) | 4.4 | ETF pensions & savings | Marketplace | Yes | Rürup | Partial | Visit Raisin (WeltSparen) website, opens in a new tab |
| Horizon65 | 4.3 | English pension planning | Advisor app | 100% | Yes | Depends | Visit Horizon65 website, opens in a new tab |
| Momo (myPension) ETF pensions | 4.0 | Low-fee ETF Rürup | ETF pension | Limited | Rürup | No | Visit Momo (myPension) website, opens in a new tab |
| fairr (Raisin Pension) ETF pensions | 3.9 | Riester/Rürup ETF | ETF pension | Some | Riester/Rürup | Partial | Visit fairr (Raisin Pension) website, opens in a new tab |
| CLARK Advisor apps | 3.8 | Managing existing products | Advisor app | Limited | Varies | Depends | Visit CLARK website, opens in a new tab |
Scroll the table sideways to see every spec.
02 / In detail
Marketplace for savings, ETF pensions, and private retirement products (including ETF-based Rürup). English platform popular with expats.
Pros
Cons
English-language retirement planning app for expats in Germany. Models state, company, and private pensions and recommends tax-efficient products.
Pros
Cons
ETF pensions
ETF-based private pension (Rürup/Basisrente) with low fees and a simple digital setup.
Pros
Cons
ETF pensions
ETF-based Riester and Rürup pensions, now part of Raisin. Good for tax-advantaged retirement saving.
Pros
Cons
Advisor apps
Insurance and pension manager app that reviews your existing products and suggests improvements.
Pros
Cons
Heads up: some links in this article are partner links, so we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This is general information, not financial or tax advice. Learn more.
Related
Pension & RetirementNon-EU nationals from countries without a German social security agreement can reclaim their 9.3% employee pension share, but only after a 24 month wait and Form V0901.
Pension & RetirementFive years of contributions is the magic number for a German pension, and a 2026 tax-phase-in law means your taxable share depends on the year you first draw it, not a flat rate.
Pension & RetirementAmericans and other totalization-treaty citizens can't cash out at all, while a 24-month wait and the 18.6 percent contribution rate decide who else actually gets paid.
