The new EU social security rules enter into force, but the main changes for mobile workers will apply from 2028

The reform covers postings, unemployment, family benefits and long-term care. The legislation sets 2 November 2028 for most changes, while some measures on cooperation between authorities apply immediately.

The new EU rules on the coordination of social security systems entered into force on 1 November 2026, but most changes affecting people who work or live in another Member State will apply from 2028. The reform will extend the period during which an unemployed person can look for work in another country while retaining their benefit and will introduce clearer conditions for postings. Countries will retain their own contribution and benefit systems.

In brief
The regulation entered into force on 1 November 2026. The legislation sets 2 November 2028 for the main changes concerning postings, unemployment, family benefits and long-term care.

The period for retaining unemployment benefits while looking for a job in another country will generally increase from three to six months. Payment will remain limited by the duration of the entitlement under national law and by registration and monitoring requirements.

People recruited for posting will have to be affiliated with the social security system of the employer’s country during the three months preceding employment. After a total of 24 months of posting in the same country, the rule provides for a break of at least two months, with the possibility of derogations.

A posting will have to be notified in advance, with an application for the A1 document. Business trips defined in the regulation and activities lasting no more than three consecutive working days within a 30-day period are exempt; the second exception does not apply in construction.

Some measures on the exchange of information between authorities apply immediately. Other provisions have special timelines, including transitional rules for certain existing situations and for Luxembourg.

The EU coordinates national systems without harmonising benefits, pensions or contributions. Entry into force does not automatically grant a new entitlement to benefits.

The update comes after nearly a decade of negotiations and the Council’s final approval in September. The new development is the entry into force and the start of the transition to the new procedures, not the immediate application of the entire reform. According to the Commission, approximately 16 million European citizens live or work in another Member State.

The timetable is essential for beneficiaries and employers. The Commission’s statement indicates 1 November 2028 for most rules, but the detailed provisions in the act published in the Official Journal provide for 2 November 2028. For the obligations described below, the date in the legislation is the relevant reference point.

An important change concerns people who are already entitled to unemployment benefits and leave to look for work in another Member State. The general rule will allow them to retain payment for six months, compared with three months currently. The competent institution may authorise continuation until the end of the period for which the person is entitled to the benefit under national legislation.

This does not create six months of payment for everyone who moves. The beneficiary must meet the applicable requirements, including registering with employment services and complying with monitoring procedures. If the remaining entitlement under national law is shorter, payment cannot continue beyond that period.

The division of responsibility also changes for unemployed people who live in one country and worked in another. Under the conditions of the regulation, the country of the last activity will pay the benefits when the person has accumulated at least 22 uninterrupted weeks of insurance or activity there. If this period is not met, the country of residence may become competent under the applicable rules and exceptions. Meeting the threshold does not replace national conditions for awarding the benefit.

For postings, the general limit of 24 months during which a worker may remain insured in the country of origin is maintained. In the case of a person recruited specifically to be sent to another country, the three-month requirement concerns prior affiliation with the social security system of the country where the employer is established. It does not mean three months of seniority with the same company.

After a total of 24 months of activity in the same host country, with interruptions not exceeding two months, the special posting regime may no longer apply to the same person there until a break of at least two months has elapsed. Derogations may be granted in specific circumstances. The rule concerns maintaining insurance in the country of origin, not a general prohibition on working in the host country.

Before the activity begins, the employer will generally have to inform the competent institution and request the certificate showing which social security legislation applies—the portable A1 document. The exception for business trips concerns activities such as meetings, conferences or training, without the provision of services or delivery of goods. For very short activities, there is a limit of three consecutive working days within a 30-day period, but this exemption may not be used in construction.

The reform also clarifies the coordination of long-term care and family benefits. Some allowances that replace a parent’s income while raising a child will be treated separately from benefits intended to cover family expenses. Romania’s monthly child-raising allowance is included in the European list of income-replacement benefits. This classification does not set a new amount and does not automatically grant entitlement to two full allowances from different countries.

Not all measures are awaiting 2028. Certain provisions on data exchange, assistance between institutions and the recovery of sums apply from entry into force, while other procedures are postponed. A technical change concerning the calculation of average costs reimbursed between systems for benefits in kind applies from 1 January 2027; this does not bring forward the extension to six months of the export of unemployment benefits.

Certain existing situations are also protected. If the new rules were to change the legislation applicable to a person, the previous regime may continue as long as the situation remains unchanged, at the latest until 2 November 2036, with the person having the option to request a transition to the new rules. This general transition does not apply to postings, for which there is a separate provision. In some unemployment cases linked to Luxembourg, the old rules may continue until 2 November 2031, with a possible extension notified until 2033.

For workers from Romania who carry out their activities in another country, the changes may affect the determination of the country in which they pay contributions and the institution that provides their benefits. The reform coordinates these responsibilities without creating a single European system: the level of benefits and pensions, contributions and national eligibility conditions remain determined by each country.

https://2eu.brussels/ro/news/noile-reguli-ue-de-securitate-sociala-intra-in-vigoare-dar-principalele-schimbari-pentru-lucratorii-mobili-se-aplica-din-2028