Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion

Where do these rules apply?

If you are covered by the EU social security coordination, you can rely on these rules in:

The European Union (EU)

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

The United Kingdom

EU rules on social security coordination no longer apply to and in the United Kingdom as of 1 January 2021. However, 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 European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland

  • Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein (EEA countries).
  • Switzerland.

New Regulations 883/2004 and 987/2009 apply to Switzerland since 1 April 2012 and to Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein since 1 June 2012. Since 2 February 2013 the Regulation 465/2012 applies also to Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein.

Find out about your rights country by country

Relations with non-EU countries

The EU is currently working on a decision of the Association Council based on the association agreements with Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, North Macedonia and Israel. The decision will assure the exportability of certain benefits, such as pensions, on the basis of reciprocity towards EU nationals. Currently, the benefits are only exported when national legislation or a bilateral agreement provides so.

More information

Check our frequently asked questions for further information.

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