29 April 2026 11:46 UTC · European Commission · EU Commission Press Release · Source · Email X Link

European Commission welcomes approval of revised social security coordination rules

Key points

Member States approve revision to coordination rules
Rules strengthen protection and fair labour mobility

TL;DR

European Commission welcomes approval by Member States of revised social security coordination rules to modernise coordination and strengthen fair labour mobility.
Revised rules aim to protect social security rights, coordinate long-term care and family benefits, and clarify which national laws apply for cross-border work and posting.
Changes include new fraud definition, posting conditions (three-week prior affiliation, two-month interruption), prior notification obligations, updated unemployment coordination and extended job-seeking export of benefits.
Agreement between Council Presidency and European Parliament was approved by Member States; European Parliament and Council of the EU must formally confirm before the rules enter into force.

Original text

European Commission - Press release Commission welcomes important step to modernise EU social security coordination rules and strengthen fair labour mobility Brussels, 29 April 2026 The European Commission welcomes the approval by EU Member States of the revision of the social security coordination rules. The revised rules are an important step towards fair labour mobility in the EU. They make it easier for people to work, live or retire in other Member States, or to seek a job across the border – ensuring that their social security rights are well protected. They also reduce administrative burdens and legal uncertainty for companies that operate cross-borders. Member States' representatives approved today the agreement between the Council Presidency and the European Parliament from last week. The European Parliament and the Council of the EU will now have to formally confirm it before entering into force. The revision updates the rules in force since 2010. Key changes in the revised coordination rules include: Improved protection of social security rights for people working or living abroad, with the establishment of a coherent regime for the coordination of long-term care benefits, and new rules regarding family benefits. The rules also improve equal treatment by specifying when Member States can limit access to social benefits for EU citizens who neither work not actively search for a job. Strengthened fair labour mobility with a new definition of fraud in social security coordination, introduction of three-week prior affiliation requirement before posting, 2-month interruption requirement between posting periods for both employees and self-employed, new prior notification obligation for posting with exception for business trips and short term 3 days posting (construction sector excluded). New arrangements for the coordination of unemployment benefits in cross-border cases, as well as the extension of the period in which a person can move to another country to seek work while retaining the entitlement to unemployment benefits. Clearer rules defining which social security laws are applicable , in particular for the posting of workers and for work performed in two or more Member States. Strengthened administrative cooperation between national authorities, through improved information exchanges on the social security status of people working in a different country, the introduction of clearer procedures and timelines in case of doubt about the validity of documents, and new tools to prevent fraud, abuse and errors. Background Each Member State is free to determine the features of its own social security system, including which benefits are provided, the conditions for eligibility, how these benefits are calculated and what contributions should be paid. At the same time, about 16 million European citizens live or work in another Member State. The EU provides rules to coordinate the national social security systems and ensure social security protection when a person moves within EU Member States as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. These rules facilitate free movement by ensuring continuity of protection for workers, jobseekers, students and others, and prevent a person from being left without coverage or having to pay contributions in more than one Member State at a time. Regulations 883/2004 and 987/2009 have governed this coordination framework since 2010. Parliament and Member States now agreed on revised rules, which were proposed by the Commission in 2016 to reflect increased labour mobility, developments in national social security systems and relevant case law. For more information Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Subscribe to the Commission's newsletter on employment, social affairs and inclusion Official Journal of the European Union IP/26/929 Quote(s): "The new rules will strengthen social protection of mobile workers, improving access to benefits and aligning them to social security. They will make it easier for companies to provide services cross border, including building on digital tools. The new rules will also enhance cooperation between national administrations by improving information exchange, introducing clearer procedures and timelines, and providing new tools to prevent and combat fraud, abuses and errors. I count on the Council and the Parliament for a swift adoption of the provisional agreement." Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness - 29/04/2026 Press contacts: Eva HRNCIROVA (+32 2 29 88433) Eirini ZARKADOULA (+32 2 29 57065) General public inquiries: Europe Direct by phone 00 800 67 89 10 11 or by email

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