Digitalisation as a tool to support EU free movement and labour mobility has gained in importance. In social security coordination the most recent development was the launch in March 2021 of a pilot project on a European Social Security Pass - ESSPASS.

Linked to the ongoing work on ESSPASS, the Commission announced in its work programme 2023 the presentation of an initiative for the digitalisation of social security systems and social safety nets in support of labour mobility.

Digitalisation efforts in social security coordination have also created renewed attention for the role played by labour cards/social ID cards in ensuring fair labour mobility.

To take stock of ongoing activities and exchange on further steps in digitalisation in support of labour mobility and free movement, the European Commission (Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion DG) organised a high-level policy conference in Brussels on 1 March 2023.

The Conference brought together more than 250 representatives (in-person and online) from Member States, the European Parliament, social security institutions, and the social partners. Key findings of the conference:  

• Digitalisation in social security coordination and labour mobility touches upon the very functioning of the Single Market. Digitalisation must put people at its centre. It facilitates citizens’ exercise of social security rights when moving, working and travelling in Europe. Digitalisation contributes to preventing abuse, upholding workers’ rights, and ensuring a level playing field.  
• Significant progress has been made over the past years, but actions at the EU and national level need to be scaled up to further simplify procedures, reduce administrative obstacles and move towards more interoperable, interconnected and automated social security systems.  
• Confirming feasibility, building ownership and commitment are essential elements of any successful digital solution: that is why piloting is needed before possibly deciding on the deployment of a European solution. 
• It is crucial that all the existing digital initiatives affecting free movement and labour mobility are put together into a coherent picture, within the overall digital landscape.    
• Digitalisation is not just a technical issue. It highly depends on political choices and decisions: a longer-term vision is needed with concrete milestones to achieve that.  
• Concrete digital solutions must be developed jointly between policymakers and IT specialists.