Comparison
Beyond the state pension: we compare the best private and ETF-based retirement options for expats living and working in Germany.
Reviewed 2026-07-21 · 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.
| Option | Best for | Type | English | Tax-advantaged | Portable | Rating | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Momo (myPension) | Low-fee ETF Rürup | ETF pension | Limited | Rürup | No | 4.0 | Visit → |
| fairr (Raisin Pension) | Riester/Rürup ETF | ETF pension | Some | Riester/Rürup | Partial | 3.9 | Visit → |
ETF-based private pension (Rürup/Basisrente) with low fees and a simple digital setup.
ETF-based Riester and Rürup pensions, now part of Raisin. Good for tax-advantaged retirement saving.
| Option | Best for | Type | English | Tax-advantaged | Portable | Rating | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLARK | Managing existing products | Advisor app | Limited | Varies | Depends | 3.8 | Visit → |
Insurance and pension manager app that reviews your existing products and suggests improvements.
| Option | Best for | Type | English | Tax-advantaged | Portable | Rating | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raisin (WeltSparen) | ETF pensions & savings | Marketplace | Yes | Rürup | Partial | 4.4 | Visit → |
| Horizon65 | English pension planning | Advisor app | 100% | Yes | Depends | 4.3 | Visit → |
Marketplace for savings, ETF pensions, and private retirement products (including ETF-based Rürup). English platform popular with expats.
English-language retirement planning app for expats in Germany. Models state, company, and private pensions and recommends tax-efficient products.
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