Postings abroad

Updated : 12/2012

Benefits

As an EU national, you can work temporarily in another EU country and remain covered by your home social security system (the system of the country where you usually work).

Being posted to another EU country — whether you are an employee or self-employed — has no impact on your social security rights or your family’s (health cover, family allowance, disability or old age pension rights, etc.).

Before leaving

Moving abroad for the whole posting?

Ask your home-country healthcare authority for an S1 form (formerly the E 106). This will entitle you and your family to healthcare during your stay.
Give the S1 to the host-country healthcare authority on arrival.

Just making short visits?

All you need is a European health insurance card. You can get one from your home-country healthcare provider or social security authority.

Differences in social security systems

To avoid problems and misunderstandings that could have serious consequences, before you leave, find out about the social security system in the country you're going to:

National benefits systems by country

Sample story

The country where you work can check if your medical leave is justified.

Sergio from Italy has been posted to Luxembourg as a construction worker. His doctor in Luxembourg has given him 1 month's medical leave for a finger injury. But his Italian insurer claims that such an injury does not justify a month off work and has refused to pay benefits.

To clarify the situation, the Italian insurer can have a doctor of its choice examine Sergio and verify whether the sick leave is justified. The doctor must then send a report to Sergio’s insurer, who will be bound by the findings of both doctors.

Lost your job during the posting?

Your unemployment benefit should be paid by your home country (the one from which you have been posted – which is responsible for your social security coverage).