EU rules on coordination of social security systems

Social security rights across borders

Moving and working in another EU country is a fundamental right of all EU citizens, and a cornerstone of the single market. But free movement would not be possible without EU rules on social security coordination.

Every citizen of the Union has the freedom to seek employment, to work, to exercise the right of establishment and to provide services in any member state. 

Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Art 15

EU rules on coordination on social security rights do not replace national systems with a single European one, instead they seek to coordinate them. Social security systems are the member states' exclusive responsibility and are not harmonised in the EU. 

• Find out your social rights country by country (European Commission)

Where do social security coordination rules apply?

These rules ensure social security protection when moving and working within Europe (EU27, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland).

EU citizens are entitled to:

• look for a job in another EU country
• work there without needing a work permit
• reside there for that purpose
• stay there even after employment has finished
• enjoy equal treatment with nationals in access to employment

EU social security rights coordination with the United Kingdom

Following the departure of the United Kingdom from the EU, there are specific coordination rules in place since 1 January 2021. The rights of persons covered by the withdrawal agreement concluded between the EU and the United Kingdom continue to be protected.

For persons not covered by the withdrawal agreement, social security coordination between the EU and the United Kingdom is regulated by the relevant protocol to the trade and cooperation agreement. While similar to EU rules, and comprehensive in scope, the protocol does not provide for an identical level of protection as the EU regulations.

• The EU-UK withdrawal agreement (background information)

Priorities and principles

The rules on social security coordination look to ensure that citizens shall not be disadvantaged by the fact of working or living in another member state.

The EU rules on social security coordination apply to:

• sickness, maternity and equivalent paternity benefits
• old-age pensions, pre-retirement and invalidity benefits
• survivors’ benefits and death grants
• unemployment benefits
• family benefits
• benefits in respect of accidents at work and occupational diseases

The EU has rules to coordinate the interaction between national social security systems. All countries are free to decide who is subject to compulsory insurance under their legislation, which benefits are granted and under what conditions.

Social security coordination rules prevent a person from being left without protection, or having double coverage in a cross-border situation.

Main priorities

The main priorities include:

• contributes to social fairness and a deeper and fairer internal market
• clear, fair and enforceable rules are essential to facilitate labour mobility
• facilitates the free movement of workers as one of the key pillars of the internal market, while reinforcing the tools for national authorities to fight abuse or fraud

Four basic principles

EU social security rules are based on four principles:

• one country only: citizens are covered by the legislation of one country at a time so they only pay contributions in one country 
• equal treatment: citizens have the same rights and obligations as the nationals of the country where they are covered 
• aggregation: when citizens claim a benefit, their previous periods of insurance, work or residence in other countries are taken into account if necessary 
• exportability: citizens entitled to a cash benefit from one country, may generally receive it even if they are living in a different country

• EU social security coordination (European Commission)

Changes to EU social security coordination

On 28 September 2026, the Council adopted a regulation that revises the rules on the coordination of national social security systems at EU level.

The previous rules had been in force since 1 May 2010. However, the labour market and society are constantly evolving, as are national social security systems and the case-law of the court.

Therefore, targeted adjustments were needed to ensure that the rules are fair, simpler to apply and easier to enforce.

The main objective of the review was to continue the modernisation of the EU social security coordination rules by:

• further facilitating the exercise of citizens' rights
• ensuring legal clarity
• ensuring a fair and equitable distribution of the financial burden
• promoting administrative simplicity and enforceability of the rules

• Social security coordination: EU member states’ representatives confirm provisional agreement (29 April 2026, press release)
• Council and Parliament strike provisional deal on social security coordination (press release, 22 April 2026)
• Coordination of social security systems: Council agrees general approach (press release, 21/06/2018)
• Proposal for a regulation amending regulation on the coordination of social security systems No 883/2004
• Social security coordination: Council gives final green light to updated rules (press release, 28 September 2026)

What are the new measures focusing on?

The revised rules make it easier to determine which country’s social security rules apply when people live or work across borders. The changes cover several areas, including unemployment benefits, posted workers, people working in multiple countries, family benefits, access to certain social benefits and long-term care.

Unemployment benefits

Under the revised rules, Europeans who seek work in another EU country may continue to receive unemployment benefits from their previous country for six months. This period may be extended at the discretion of the competent member state, up to the end of the entitlement period.

Workers who have been active in another member state for an uninterrupted period of at least 22 weeks (for example, as employed or self-employed workers) will be entitled to unemployment benefits from the country of last employment, provided they meet national eligibility conditions.

Applicable legislation for sent workers

Generally, the authorities of the member state of origin must be notified in advance when a worker will carry out activities in another member state.

Exceptions apply for business trips and short-term activities, defined as a maximum of three consecutive days of work within a period of 30 consecutive days. These exceptions do not apply to the construction sector.

Persons working in two or more member states

The revised rules provide clearer guidance on determining the applicable legislation for persons working in more than one member state.

They clarify how to identify the employer’s registered office or place of business, ensuring more consistent application of the rules.

Family benefits

The revised rules clarify the distinction between family benefits in cash, which are intended to replace income not earned due to child-raising, and other types of family benefits.

They also aim to support shared child-raising responsibilities and remove potential financial disincentives for parents who reduce their working hours to care for their children.

Access by economically inactive mobile citizens to certain social benefits

The agreement reflects relevant case law and clarifies the conditions under which economically inactive persons can access certain social benefits when moving to another member state.

It also confirms that mobile citizens should not be prevented from contributing to sickness coverage schemes, in line with national legislation and practices.

Long-term care benefits

The revised rules clarify the coordination of long-term care benefits and increase legal certainty.

They introduce a definition of such benefits and provide for a list of benefits to be covered. The Commission will review the application of these rules after three years.