When does the Altersvorsorgedepot start? Date and legislative status

Tilman Freyenhagen

Published on 14 June 2026 · Updated on 7 August 2026 · Managing Director & Partner, Alsterspree Verlag GmbH

The official start date: from when is the Altersvorsorgedepot available?

The state-subsidised Altersvorsorgedepot officially starts on 1 January 2027 for all eligible savers in Germany^[1]. The statutory framework for the reform was passed in 2026, after the Bundestag approved the law on 27 March and the Bundesrat on 8 May. From this date, you can open such an account to benefit from the state subsidy and, if you wish, transfer existing Riester contracts.

Milestones on the way to introduction

1. 27 March 2026: the German Bundestag passes the law reforming private retirement provision.
2. 8 May 2026: the Bundesrat gives its final approval to the legislation, definitively settling the legal framework.
3. Autumn and winter 2026: financial product providers complete the necessary certification procedures for their new account models.
4. 1 January 2027: the official start signal for nationwide account opening and the beginning of state allowance subsidies.

The months before the official start date serve mainly as a regulatory preparation period for financial institutions and providers. To be allowed to offer the Altersvorsorgedepot from the start date, neobrokers, banks and other providers must adapt their contracts and have them officially certified^[1]. This lead time ensures that transparent pricing structures and vetted investment options such as low-cost ETF portfolios are ready from the turn of the year, so that you as an investor find a reliable selection.

For private savers, this timetable means a valuable preparation phase. Until the official start on 1 January 2027, you can inform yourself thoroughly about the new subsidy conditions and compare which investment strategies best suit your personal retirement provision. Through the neutral knowledge section we provide you with detailed guides on the statutory rules. In addition, our digital subsidy calculator helps you work out, transparently and mathematically, your expected state allowances and the cost impact of switching from an old Riester contract.

The legislative chronology: from draft to enacted law

The reform of private retirement provision in Germany has cleared the parliamentary hurdles swiftly and on schedule. After the Federal Ministry of Finance presented the draft for the new law, the reform successfully passed the German Bundestag on 27 March 2026^[2]. Only a few weeks later, on 8 May 2026, the Bundesrat also approved the legislation^[3]. With this double confirmation in spring 2026, the legal foundation for the Altersvorsorgedepot (AVD) is finally settled and has been promulgated in the Federal Law Gazette. For savers, this chronological certainty means a reliable basis for planning.

1. Cabinet draft in December 2025: presentation of the first official government draft for the new reform law.
2. Bundestag resolution on 27 March 2026: successful passage of the pAV reform law in the Bundestag.
3. Bundesrat approval on 8 May 2026: final vote by the representation of the federal states, without involving the mediation committee.
4. Promulgation on 29 May 2026: official publication of the legislation in the Federal Law Gazette (BGBl. I No. 156).
5. Official market launch on 1 January 2027: from this date, eligible savers can open a subsidised Altersvorsorgedepot.

This precise timetable confirms that the official start signal for the Altersvorsorgedepot falls on 1 January 2027. The period between the formal resolution in spring 2026 and the actual market launch serves as an important lead time. Banks, fund platforms and neobrokers use this period to build technical interfaces, obtain certifications and develop user-friendly account solutions. As a future investor, this transition phase offers you the perfect opportunity to study the neutral, source-based knowledge section thoroughly and analyse your existing contracts.

To find out whether switching from a classic Riester pension to the higher-return account is financially worthwhile for you, the subsidy calculator is a source-backed, neutral tool. With this interactive tool you calculate your state subsidies and compare pension entitlements transparently. Please note: model calculations of this kind are for illustration and do not constitute investment advice within the meaning of § 1(1a) no. 1a KWG. For tailored, personal advice, our independent advice service is available to you.

The provider lead time: when do the first providers launch their accounts?

The statutory introduction of the new Altersvorsorgedepot on 1 January 2027 poses considerable technical and administrative challenges for financial institutions, neobrokers and custodian banks. To be able to offer fully functional, state-subsidised accounts punctually at the start date, providers must already make far-reaching preparations in 2026. Implementing the technical infrastructure for such a platform in practice requires a lead time of six to nine months to map regulatory requirements and interfaces without error^[4].

The providers' 2026 roadmap

So that you as a saver can compare and invest directly on the start date, providers go through several critical development phases beforehand. This structured preparation period breaks down into technological, regulatory and administrative milestones:

1. Spring to summer 2026: after the final legislative approval, financial institutions choose their technology platforms and define their product strategy for the new subsidised accounts.
2. Autumn 2026: providers build out their systems, connect interfaces to custodian banks, and set up the necessary reporting to the state allowance office (ZfA).
3. End of 2026: in the final phase, internal testing, final compliance approval and the first non-binding announcements take place from market participants positioning themselves for the launch on 1 January 2027.

Many neobrokers and banks are already preparing their first offerings in the background, so as to be competitive with ETF portfolios on the market by the start date. Until the first real accounts can be opened, our free subsidy calculator helps you calculate the savings potential of a subsidised investment individually. For in-depth background reports and regular updates on provider announcements, our knowledge section is also available to you at any time, neutrally.

The certification process: the role of the Federal Central Tax Office

Before an Altersvorsorgedepot may be offered and state-subsidised on the German market from 1 January 2027, the respective product must undergo a statutory review procedure. Sole responsibility for this quality check lies with the certification body of the Federal Central Tax Office, known as the BZSt. The Federal Central Tax Office checks, on the basis of the Altersvorsorgeverträge-Zertifizierungsgesetz (the retirement contract certification act), whether the contracts offered meet all the legal and tax criteria mandatory for granting the state allowances and tax benefits.

The process under § 5 AltZertG and the simplified procedure

The process for product review is set out in the Altersvorsorgeverträge-Zertifizierungsgesetz. Under § 5 AltZertG, providers such as banks, fund companies or neobrokers must put their retirement contracts through a model procedure^[5]. The BZSt formally grants certification by issuing an individual certification number once it is shown that the model contract meets all statutory requirements. To make market entry efficient in time for the start date of 1 January 2027, the law also provides for a simplified procedure. This allows already existing, standardised contract templates to be reviewed and approved more quickly, giving providers sufficient lead time for technical rollout.

1. 27 March 2026: passage of the pAV reform law by the German Bundestag, creating the statutory framework for the new private retirement provision.
2. 8 May 2026: Bundesrat approval of the reform, formally completing the legislation and finalising the official entry into force.
3. Second half of 2026: submission of contract templates by account providers to the Federal Central Tax Office and the certification procedure under § 5 AltZertG.
4. 1 January 2027: official start of the Altersvorsorgedepot, from which certified products can be purchased on the market and state-subsidised.

For you as a saver, this statutory certification procedure provides important protection. An Altersvorsorgedepot may only be marketed and subsidised once the BZSt's certification body has issued the official number. This protects you from uncertified offers that would receive no tax subsidy. To find out early about the requirements and how the state allowances work, you can use the source-based knowledge section. Our neutral subsidy calculator also helps you determine precisely the expected effects of the subsidy on your personal final capital.

Transitional periods for existing Riester customers: switch or keep?

Around ten million active Riester savers in Germany face a pivotal decision with the upcoming reform. From the official start date of 1 January 2027, you have the statutory option of transferring your already accumulated Riester balance completely tax-free into the new Altersvorsorgedepot^[6]. Since no automatic transfer takes place, you should use the remaining time in calendar year 2026 to analyse your existing policies in detail and prepare the transition carefully. Existing contracts retain full statutory protection, so both paths remain open to you: continuing the old contract or moving the capital across.

The strategic timetable for the system switch

1. Stocktaking in 2026: request the current status of your Riester contract from your provider. What matters here are the exact administration costs, the annual effective cost ratio, and the amount of capital actually guaranteed so far.
2. Cost-benefit check: compare the guaranteed interest of the old contract with the long-term return potential of a capital-market-based investment. The new account allows a hundred-percent equity allocation without expensive contribution guarantees.
3. Informal switch from 1 January 2027: open your new Altersvorsorgedepot and instruct the tax-free capital transfer. The new provider usually handles the transfer directly with your old insurer.

The decision for or against switching depends largely on the terms of your existing contract and the remaining time until retirement. While classic Riester policies from the early years with a high guaranteed interest rate remain attractive in some cases, newer contracts often suffer from extreme cost structures. For savers with a long time horizon, giving up rigid guarantees in the Altersvorsorgedepot offers the chance to offset the inflation-driven erosion of capital through a broadly diversified ETF investment.

To create a reliable basis for your decision, you can simulate various scenarios with the subsidy calculator. We provide in-depth articles on the tax treatment of switching in our knowledge section. If you prefer a personal assessment, our independent advice service puts you in touch with qualified contacts who can guide you through the trade-offs (not investment advice within the meaning of § 1(1a) no. 1a KWG).

Preparing in 2026: what can savers already do before the start?

The start date of 1 January 2027 is set in law, but savers should already lay the groundwork for successful subsidised retirement provision in 2026. Since the Bundesrat approved the reform of private retirement provision on 8 May 2026, the legal framework is definitively settled^[7]. This lead year offers the ideal opportunity to review existing contracts and prepare your own investment strategy, so you are ready to act punctually at the start date.

1. Step 1: take stock of existing contracts - analyse the current surrender values, state allowances, and fee structures of your existing contracts.
2. Step 2: define your savings goals - determine your personal risk tolerance and clarify whether a higher-return Altersvorsorgedepot without a contribution guarantee fits your life plans.
3. Step 3: gather information - use neutral sources to understand the tax framework and the criteria for your specific employment situation.

A central aspect of preparation in 2026 concerns existing Riester contracts. Many savers are asking whether switching to the new account is financially worthwhile. A statutory switching-cost cap of a maximum of 150 euros makes transferring the capital considerably easier. To prepare this decision on a sound, mathematically precise basis, a calculation with the subsidy calculator is recommended. With this tool you can simulate your existing Riester capital, including its allowance history, and compare it with the future account.

As a neutral guide, Vorsorgedepot-Lotse accompanies you through every phase of the decision-making process. On our knowledge section you will find source-based analyses, while our independent advice service connects you, if needed, with licensed experts to competently clarify detailed questions about your individual life situation.

The Frühstart-Rente for children: special age limits and dates

A particularly forward-looking aspect of the reform agenda is the planned Frühstart-Rente. It is not part of the enacted Altersvorsorgereformgesetz: so far there is only a key-points paper, which the federal cabinet adopted on 17 December 2025; a draft law has been announced for 2026.^[8] According to these key points, the state-subsidised provision for children is to start retroactively from 1 January 2026, with 2020 as the first eligible birth year. The aim remains to lay a solid foundation for later wealth building in the capital markets from an early age.

Age limits and planned state subsidy

According to the key-points paper, opening such an account is to be possible from the completion of the child's 6th year and must be applied for by the legal guardians. The state is to pay a monthly premium of 10 euros directly into the individual Altersvorsorgedepot for eligible children and young people up to the completion of their 18th year^[8]. Should parents or legal guardians not open a separate account for their child, a state-organised default solution is envisaged^[8]. In this case, the funds are to be invested collectively by birth cohort and can later be transferred to a personal contract without complication.

1. Completion of the 6th year: first envisaged entitlement to the state premium for the child.
2. Planned start retroactively from 1 January 2026: according to the key points, legal guardians are to be able to open the individual Altersvorsorgedepot with the provider of their choice.
3. Monthly payment: the federal government is to transfer 10 euros a month continuously until the child's 18th birthday.
4. Transition at 18: the account is to be handed over seamlessly to the child and can continue to be funded privately.

The biggest advantage of this early start lies in the mathematical leverage of compounding over a period of several decades. Even the envisaged state basic subsidy of a total of 1,440 euros up to the age of majority can grow considerably through long-term investment in higher-return ETFs. Parents can also make their own contributions to top up the account further. To calculate the exact effect of this subsidy, and possible scenarios for your family, the subsidy calculator is available to you. In the knowledge section you will also find detailed guides, and if needed you can use an independent advice service to be guided neutrally by qualified experts.

How to make the best use of the time until 2027: a neutral roadmap

The official start of the Altersvorsorgedepot on 1 January 2027 may seem far off, but the lead time is decisive for sound preparation. The law was already passed by the Bundestag on 27 March 2026 and passed the Bundesrat on 8 May 2026, so the statutory framework is settled^[2]. Before the subsidised accounts are actually introduced by certified providers, it is worth precisely analysing your own financial starting position and taking strategic steps.

Especially for holders of existing Riester contracts, the statutorily enshrined transition phase until 2027 offers a valuable opportunity for orientation. You can check without time pressure whether staying with the old contract or a tax-free transfer to the much more flexible Altersvorsorgedepot is more financially advantageous for you. For the self-employed and freelancers too, who gain full access to state-subsidised private retirement provision for the first time from 2027, structuring monthly savings rates early is essential. A structured timeline helps you keep track of all the important milestones up to the official start date.

1. First step: exploration and stocktaking. Record all your current retirement provision contracts and request detailed status statements to get reliable comparison figures for future calculations.
2. Second step: calculate the subsidy effect. Use the subsidy calculator to precisely simulate future state allowances and the tax relief for your individual income.
3. Third step: neutral advice and analysis. Get a factual, unbiased expert opinion through our independent advice service, to properly secure your personal switching decision or new contract in good time.
4. Fourth step: set your savings rate. Plan your monthly savings contribution for 2027 based on well-founded information from our knowledge section.

This structured approach helps you avoid hasty decisions under time pressure once the first providers become active in the market. We accompany you on this path as a neutral navigator. Please note the following statutory disclosure for all preliminary calculations: all calculations and simulation data are for illustration only and do not constitute investment advice within the meaning of § 1(1a) no. 1a KWG. The final terms depend on the respective product certifications during the course of 2026.