SOKA-BAU holiday compensation - for employees in Germany

We help employees in Germany recover holiday compensation from SOKA-BAU. We determine the amount of the due benefit and support the correct submission of the application to the institution.

Recover unused holiday in Germany

We calculate due SOKA-BAU benefits

We complete the documents for the application

Simple procedure and ongoing support

Refund of benefits from SOKA-BAU - recover the money you are owed with us

Have you worked in the German construction industry? You may be entitled to a refund of benefits from the SOKA-BAU fund - even if you have already returned to Poland. Our foreign settlements office will help you recover money for unused holiday and other benefits due from employment in Germany.

Sokabau for Employees - compensation from the holiday fund Germany

What is SOKA-BAU?

SOKA-BAU is the abbreviated name of institutions operating within the German social security system in the construction industry:

ULAK (Urlaubs- und Lohnausgleichskasse) - Holiday and Wage Compensation Fund
ZVK (Zusatzversorgungskasse) - Supplementary Pension Fund

These institutions were created to protect the rights of construction workers, regardless of how often they change their place of employment, region or employer. The system covers people employed under an employment contract by German or foreign companies providing services in Germany.

Sokabau - wniosek o zwrot dla pracownika budowlanego

What benefits can be recovered?

Two main types of benefits are available from SOKA-BAU:

Holiday benefit / compensation for unused holiday

If you did not use your holiday before ending work in Germany, you can recover money in the form of holiday compensation. You have until 31 December of the second year after the year in which you ended work to do this. After this deadline, the benefit expires.

Supplementary pension provision (ZVK)

Thanks to contributions paid by the employer, after meeting certain conditions, you may obtain the right to a supplementary pension from the German system, paid after reaching retirement age. These funds are accumulated and invested by ZVK.

Sokabau Niemcy - odszkodowanie za urlop dla pracownika

What does the procedure look like?

Step 1 - data verification

We will check whether your employer paid contributions to SOKA-BAU and whether you qualify for benefits.

Step 2 - documentation

We will prepare and submit the application for payment of the benefit on your behalf. We will help collect the required documents: contracts, payslips, employment confirmations.

Step 3 - contact with SOKA-BAU

Our office will handle all contact with the institution - you do not need to know German or go through complicated procedures.

Step 4 - payment of benefits

After the application is approved, the funds will be paid to your bank account - after deduction of any tax withholdings (approx. 20% flat-rate tax in Germany).

Sokabau - documents needed to submit an application

You can check your data

Every employee can register in the SOKA-BAU online portal, where they can:

check the number of holiday days,
check whether the employer registered them in the system,
track the progress of submitted applications.

If you do not want to do this yourself - we will do it for you. Why is it worth using our help?

Free analysis of your situation
Settlement with no upfront fees - commission only for success
Ability to act on your behalf from Poland or Germany
Service in the office or online - without leaving home

Language assistance and full formal support

Kasa urlopowa Niemcy - zwrot dla pracownika budowlanego

Who can use SOKA-BAU?

The right to benefits belongs to all construction workers who:

were legally employed in a company operating on the German construction market,
worked for at least one month,
did not use their entitled holiday during employment.

Remember that this also applies to employees from Poland who worked seasonally or temporarily on construction sites in Germany - even if they have already returned to the country.