Social insurance for GmbH business owner

Good Day,

I am a non-EU resident in Germany with a residence permit to run my GmbH. How can I start paying social insurance contributions? What are the potential advantages of paying social insurance contributions for non-EU GmbH owner residing in Germany? Thank you for reading the message.

Have a nice day as always

The Geschäftsführer (Managing Director) of a GmbH is required to contribute to "social insurance". However, if the Geschäftsführer is at the same time a controlling shareholder, this is not the case. In any case, most people prefer to opt out of social insurance (at least the pension part) if they have a chance, as the prevailing opinion is that you get a better return if you invest the money yourself. Opinions are more divided on the health insurance bit.

If you own a GmbH, is there anything stopping you from paying yourself as an employee a very low wage, and hence getting health insurance very cheaply and paying virtually no taxes, while the company that you own is making a good profit?

the company would have to pay tax on the profit

I guess your question is to be seen in context with your other post, where you are mentioning that your business isnt going well... What benefits do you think you could get? I think you really should talk with your tax consultant, instead of relying on online advice.


If you are the Geschäftsführer of a Gmbh, that doesnt have any other employees, you cant opt out of the pension part. (says the BGS about the "Ein-Mann-Gmbh")


... the fact that you are considered "selbständig" when you are the owner of the Gmbh. (as tom_a wrote)