Skip to content A Long-Awaited Reform for Labour Mobility
On 30 April 2026, the European Commission welcomed the political agreement reached on the revision of the EU social security coordination rules, describing it as an important step towards modernizing the framework governing labour mobility within the European Union. The reform aims to adapt the current rules to today’s labour market realities while ensuring fair mobility and stronger protection for workers moving across Member States.
The existing coordination framework, mainly based on Regulations 883/2004 and 987/2009, does not replace national social security systems. Instead, it ensures that individuals exercising their right to free movement within the EU do not lose access to social security protection when working or residing in another Member State.
According to the European Commission, around 16 million EU citizens currently live or work in a Member State other than their own, highlighting the importance of clear and updated coordination rules.
Stronger Rules on the Posting of Workers
One of the main areas addressed by the reform concerns the posting of workers. The revised rules aim to strengthen legal certainty and prevent abusive practices linked to cross-border postings.
Among the key changes introduced is the requirement for workers to be affiliated with the social security system of the sending Member State for at least three months before the posting starts. In addition, after 24 months of posting, a mandatory two-month gap will apply between two posting periods concerning the same worker and undertaking.
The revised rules also provide that postings must be notified before they take place, except for business trips and certain short-term postings of up to three days outside the construction sector.
According to the Commission, these measures aim to strengthen administrative cooperation between Member States and enhance efforts to combat fraud and misuse of social security coordination rules.
Clearer Provisions for Cross-Border Benefits
The reform also updates the rules concerning unemployment benefits for cross-border workers. In particular, unemployed persons seeking work in another Member State will be able to export their unemployment benefits for a longer period than currently allowed.
The reform also clarifies the rules on family benefits and long-term care benefits, areas that have often generated legal uncertainty and administrative difficulties for both citizens and authorities. The revised framework is also expected to simplify procedures and reduce administrative burdens for employers and institutions.
Key Principles of EU Coordination
The EU social security coordination framework is based on fundamental principles aimed at protecting citizens moving within the Union. Individuals are subject to the legislation of only one Member State at a time and therefore pay contributions in one country only, while also benefiting from equal treatment with nationals of that State.
The rules also ensure that authorities take into account periods of insurance, employment, or residence completed in different Member States when determining entitlement to benefits. In addition, citizens entitled to certain cash benefits, such as pensions or family benefits, may generally continue receiving them even when residing in another Member State.
Next Steps
Although the political agreement marks a major milestone, both the European Parliament and the Council must still formally adopt the revised rules before they enter into force.
Nevertheless, the Commission considers the agreement an important achievement in supporting fair labour mobility and ensuring that EU social security coordination rules remain fit for purpose in an increasingly mobile European labour market.