If you have been awarded a research grant or scholarship, you are exempt from having to pay social security contributions. If, however, you are employed in Germany, you will have to pay the normal social security contributions. These cover pension, unemployment, nursing care, health and accident insurance, and are normally split 50/50 between the employer and the employee.

Statutory accident insurance is an exception. The employer pays this in full. Your social security insurance contributions will be deducted at source from your gross earnings. This is done directly by the employer, who registers you with your chosen health insurance company. The health insurance company will then inform all the other social security departments.

You can find further information on the following websites: www.deutsche-sozialversicherung.de www.euraxess.de