Estimate your Erwerbsminderungsrente (disability pension) based on your income history and type of disability.
What is the difference between full and partial Erwerbsminderungsrente?
Full Erwerbsminderungsrente (volle EM-Rente) is paid when you can work less than 3 hours per day in any job. Partial Erwerbsminderungsrente (teilweise EM-Rente) applies when you can work 3 to 6 hours per day. The partial pension is exactly half of the full pension amount. You need at least 5 years of pension insurance contributions, with at least 3 years of mandatory contributions in the last 5 years.
What is the Zurechnungszeit?
The Zurechnungszeit is a credited period that extends your pension insurance history as if you had continued to contribute until age 67. This prevents younger people with disabilities from receiving extremely low pensions due to short contribution histories. The additional points are calculated based on your average earnings during your actual contribution period.
Can I earn additional income while receiving EM-Rente?
Yes, but with limits. For full EM pension, you can earn up to EUR 18,558.75 per year (2025) without reduction. Above this limit, 40% of excess income is deducted. For partial EM pension, the limit is higher (approximately EUR 37,117.50). These limits increased significantly in recent reforms to encourage disabled persons to remain partially in the workforce.
Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on 2025 German tax rules and should not be considered professional tax advice. Consult a Steuerberater for your specific situation.
Schwerbehindertenausweis, tax advantages, and financial support for disabled people
What is the Schwerbehindertenausweis?
The Schwerbehindertenausweis is a disability card issued to people with a Grad der Behinderung (degree of disability) of 50 or higher. You apply at your local Versorgungsamt. The card unlocks tax benefits, extra holiday days, workplace protection, and cheaper public transport. About 7.9 million people in Germany hold one.
What is the Behinderten-Pauschbetrag tax deduction?
The Behinderten-Pauschbetrag is an annual tax-free allowance based on your degree of disability. A GdB of 50 gives you €1,140 per year. A GdB of 100 gives you €2,840. People who are blind or helpless receive €7,400. This reduces your taxable income directly. At a 35% tax rate, a €2,840 allowance saves you about €994 in tax per year.
What is the Erwerbsminderungsrente?
If you can no longer work or only work limited hours due to illness or disability, you may receive Erwerbsminderungsrente from the Deutsche Rentenversicherung. If you can work less than 3 hours per day, you get the full rate. If you can work 3 to 6 hours, you get half. The average full EM-Rente is about €950 per month.
What extra holiday do disabled employees get?
Employees with a Schwerbehindertenausweis (GdB 50+) get 5 extra paid holiday days per year on top of the legal minimum of 20 days. This applies to a 5-day working week; for fewer days, it is adjusted proportionally. The extra days apply from the date the disability is recognised, not the date the card is issued.
What workplace protections exist for disabled workers?
Employers need approval from the Integrationsamt before they can dismiss a severely disabled employee. The Integrationsamt checks if the dismissal is related to the disability and tries to find solutions. Employers with 20 or more staff must fill at least 5% of positions with severely disabled people, or pay a Schwerbehindertenabgabe of €140 to €360 per unfilled position per month.
Can the Fahrtkosten-Pauschale be increased for disabled people?
People with a GdB of 70 or higher can claim actual travel costs to work instead of the standard Entfernungspauschale of €0.30 per km. If you drive 30 km each way and your actual costs are €0.40 per km, that is €24 per day instead of €18. Over 220 working days, the difference is €1,320 in additional deductions per year.
Bundesfinanzministerium-Aligned: Based on 2025 Bundesfinanzministerium rates and thresholds. For personal advice, speak to a qualified Steuerberater (tax adviser).
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on current German tax rates and thresholds for the 2025 tax year. It does not constitute professional tax, financial, or legal advice. Your actual liability may differ depending on your individual circumstances. Always consult a qualified tax adviser before making financial decisions. Read our terms
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