Update from July 3, 2026: Mandatory Pension Insurance for the Self-Employed

The VGSD, of which the VDT is a member, has critically examined the German Pension Commission’s final report on the planned mandatory pension insurance for the self-employed. To keep our self-employed members informed, we’re providing a brief update here. Some conflicting information is circulating in the media, which is why the VGSD has prepared a summary. In addition, the VGSD is publishing specific proposals on how the currently very diverse regulations regarding pension insurance for the self-employed could be standardized and bureaucratic burdens reduced.

The Pension Commission recommends that, in the future, all new self-employed individuals be included in the statutory pension insurance system as a general rule. While mandatory insurance is also planned for those already self-employed, they can opt out of it without any further requirements. According to the draft, those who are newly self-employed will not be granted this freedom of choice. The VGSD welcomes certain aspects of the proposal but calls, among other things, for a practical implementation, less bureaucracy, and a reform of the status determination procedure to provide self-employed individuals with greater legal certainty.

The survey (see below) is open until the 7th of July, 17:00 h.

Original information from June 12, 2026:

The German government is currently seeking cross-sector criteria to distinguish between self-employment and dependent employment. In our industry, many criteria that would normally clearly indicate permanent employment do not apply. If the list of criteria for a so-called status determination turns out to be unfavorable for us, this will lead to a massive loss of freelance work for sound designers.

We want to be allowed to remain self-employed! That is why we urge all freelance and entrepreneurial members to participate in the survey conducted by the Association of Founders and Self-Employed Persons in Germany (VGSD) e.V. The results will be incorporated into the political decision-making process.

We want to be able to remain self-employed! That is why we urge all freelance and entrepreneurial members to take part in the survey conducted by the Association of Founders and Self-Employed Persons in Germany (VGSD) e.V. The results will influence political decision-making.

So here’s our request: Take 20 minutes and help make the interests of self-employed people in our industry visible to policymakers. Ideally, you should select “Sound Engineer” for Question 18. The term “sound engineer” is very broadly defined; an event technician specializing in sound is a sound engineer, as is a sound engineer for live events or someone working on set sound. If we all select the same category, every single one of our votes counts for the entire sound engineering industry.

VGSD, BAGSV, and VDT have been actively collaborating on this issue since late 2024. However, the issue has now reached the current political agenda and is set to be reconsidered, which is why taking action right now makes sense.