Can a Horizons employee be a member of a Professional Chamber (e.g. Architektenkammer) in Germany?

Yes, employees at Horizons can be members of a professional chamber in Germany (such as the Architektenkammer, Apothekerkammer, Ärztekammer, or Rechtsanwaltskammer) and be insured through their corresponding Versorgungswerk (pension scheme). However, specific steps and requirements must be followed to ensure proper handling of contributions and exemption from statutory pension insurance. 


What Needs to Happen?

Employees who are mandatorily insured through a professional chamber can apply to be exempt from mandatory coverage under the German statutory pension scheme (Deutsche Rentenversicherung – DRV). Here’s how the process works:

  1. Electronic Exemption Application
    The employee must submit an exemption application electronically at the start of their employment to their respective professional chamber (e.g., the Versorgungskammer).

  2. Verification and Forwarding
    The chamber verifies whether the exemption requirements are met. If confirmed, the chamber forwards the application electronically to the DRV.

  3. Official Decision from DRV
    The DRV reviews the case and issues a written notice (Bescheid) confirming or rejecting the exemption.

  4. Provide the Notice to Horizons
    This exemption notice must be shared with Horizons as it only applies to the current employment relationship.


Important Notes for Employees

  • Until the exemption notice is received, Horizons is legally obligated to continue paying contributions to the DRV—there are no exceptions to this.

  • Once the exemption is approved, the DRV retroactively adjusts the contributions.

  • Pension contributions to the Versorgungswerk can either:

    • Be paid directly by Horizons, or

    • The employee may receive a contribution subsidy from Horizons (equal to the employer’s share of the DRV contribution).


Different Rules May Apply by State

It’s important to note that each federal state in Germany may have slightly different regulations regarding professional chambers and their associated pension schemes. The structure, membership requirements, and the specifics of pension contributions can vary depending on the state where the chamber is located or where the employee is registered.

For example:

  • Some states have stricter requirements for recognition of foreign qualifications.

  • The timing and format of exemption applications may differ slightly.

  • Not all professions are represented equally in every state chamber.

What does this mean for employees?
Before submitting an exemption request, employees should check the website or contact the relevant chamber in their state of registration to ensure all local requirements are met.


Was this article helpful?

That’s Great!

Thank you for your feedback

Sorry! We couldn't be helpful

Thank you for your feedback

Let us know how can we improve this article!

Select at least one of the reasons
CAPTCHA verification is required.

Feedback sent

We appreciate your effort and will try to fix the article