Commissie positief over hervorming sociale zekerheid in lidstaten (en)

The European Commission welcomed the political agreement at today's Employment and Social Affairs Council on a major piece of new legislation co-ordinating social security systems in the EU. The new "user-friendly" Regulation streamlines and updates the existing complex mass of rules in Regulation 1408/71. It makes it easier for workers and their families to move from one Member State to another, whether for professional or private reasons, without losing social security entitlements. The principle of equal treatment is reinforced and the legislation is simplified to ensure that the rules apply to all European Union citizens who are insured whether they are employed or self-employed workers, pensioners, civil servants, students or non active persons. The new Regulation, which was first proposed by the Commission in 1998 and will replace legislation that dates back more than thirty years, is expected to enter into force in 2006.

"We now have the basis of a clearer, more understandable regulation," said Anna Diamantopoulou, Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs. "It is better adapted to the reality of migrant workers and their families and will help many EU citizens in their daily lives. It will in very real terms promote the labour mobility which is crucial to improving European competitiveness and moving towards full employment in line with the Lisbon strategy."

The new regulation builds on the current one to increase the level of protection given to migrant workers and their families in social security systems across the EU.. Health-care entitlements for all insured persons visiting another Member State will be aligned and restrictions on exporting special, non-contributory cash benefits based on transparent and objective criteria. It will be possible to extend the period during which a job-seeker can look for work in another Member State from the current three months to six. Non-active persons will be included in the regulation's scope, as will legal pre-retirement schemes.. For example, an unemployed worker who lives in France and has paid social security contributions in Germany currently draws his or her unemployment benefit in France. In future he or she will be also be able to look for work in Germany as well as in France.

Citizens will also receive their benefits more quickly as a result of improvements in the co-operation and mutual information between the authorities in the different Member States.

See also MEMO/03/246