[makeitdouble]

I don't know for Germany, but you'll usually have option to receive your pension from abroad, or have it dumped in a local account for later, or transfered to your permanent residency country.

It's always a PITA with no straightforward way, but if you paid for 20 years you'll probably be motivated to go through the hoops to see that money back in some form.

[nicbou]

And if you don't qualify, you can get your pension payments refunded (but not your employer's share). If you left Germany, you definitely ought to do it.

https://allaboutberlin.com/guides/pension-payments-refund