Rights (EU)๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ

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Human rights and democracy

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Promoting and protecting human rights

There are two main streams of human rights policy and action within the European Union. One is to protect the fundamental human rights for EU citizens, and the other is to promote human rights worldwide.

The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights guarantees EU citizensโ€™ rights. The Charter lays down the fundamental rights that are binding upon EU institutions and bodies. It also applies to national governments when they are implementing EU law.

The European Union is based on a strong commitment to promoting and protecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law worldwide. Human rights are at the heart of EU relations with other countries and regions.

EU policy includes:

  • promoting the rights of women, children, minorities and displaced persons
  • opposing the death penalty, torture, human trafficking and discrimination
  • defending civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights
  • defending human rights through active partnership with partner countries, international and regional organisations, and groups and associations at all levels of society
  • inclusion of human rights clauses in all agreements on trade or cooperation with non-EU countries

https://europa.eu/european-union/topics/human-rights_en

What are your rights?

The EU rules on social security coordination apply in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom to national legislation on:

As regulations, the coordination rules apply directly in all EU countries. In other words, they have to be observed by national authorities and administrations, social security institutions and courts. Even when national laws are in conflict with them, EU rules have priority.

It may be difficult to determine whether or not a particular benefit is covered by the coordination rules. Contact your social security institution to find out. 
Use our directory to find a contact institution

What is not covered

  • A certain number of special cash benefits which are not based on contributions (non-contributory benefits) will only be provided by and at the expense of the institution of your country of residence. In most cases these benefits are paid to people whose pension or income is below a certain level. They will not be paid if you reside in another country. These benefits are listed in Annex X of Regulation 883/2004.
  • EU coordination does not apply to social and medical assistance: these benefits are normally granted on the basis of your means. 
  • EU coordination does not apply to taxation. Ask the tax authorities in your country for information on your particular case.

https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=854&langId=en

Which rules apply to you?

When moving within the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland or the United Kingdom you will always be subject to the legislation of only one country. The social security institutions will assess under which country’s legislation you are covered according to EU rules. 
Use our directory to find a contact institution

You work in one country

As a basic rule, you are subject to the legislation of the country where you actually work as an employed or a self-employed person. It doesn’t matter where you live or where your employer is based. 

You work in one country but live in another one

If you work in a different EU country from the one where you live and you return to your country of residence daily, or at least once a week, you are a cross-border worker (so-called “frontier worker”). The country where you work is responsible for your social security benefits. Special rules apply to healthcare and unemployment. Find out more under our frequently asked questions.

You’re posted to another country

If you are sent by your employer (or yourself, if you are self-employed) to work in another country for a maximum of 24 months, you will remain insured in your country of origin. This is the case of so-called “posted workers” to whom specific conditions apply. Find out more under our frequently asked questions.

You work in more than one country

  • If you pursue a substantial part of your activity, at least 25%, in your country of residence, you will be covered by the legislation of that country.
  • If you don’t pursue a substantial part of your activity in your country of residence, you will be covered by the legislation of the country where the registered office or place of business of your employer is situated.
  • If you work for several employers, whose registered offices are in different countries, you will be covered by the legislation of your country of residence; even if you don’t pursue a substantial part of your activity there.
  • If you are self-employed and you don’t pursue a substantial part of your activity in your country of residence, you will be covered by the legislation of the country where the centre of interest of your activities is situated.
  • If you pursue an employed and a self-employed activity in different countries, you will be insured in the country where you are employed.
    Use our directory to find a contact institution

You don’t work

If you do not work, EU rules still apply to you. Find out more under our frequently asked questions.

The United Kingdom

All EU law, across all policy areas, will still be applicable to and in the United Kingdom during the transition period. It is currently foreseen that the transition period ends on 31 December 2020.

https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=851&langId=en

Help defending your rights

Your questions and rights

If you are a national of an EU country, or if you live in one of the member countries, or if you run a business in the European Union, EU law gives you a number of rights.

In some cases, the EU can help if you have problems asserting these rights in practice.

Ask a question about the EU (Europe Direct)Moving in the EU (Your Europe)Ask about a specific situation you are facing (Your Europe Advice)

https://ec.europa.eu/info/about-european-commission/contact/problems-and-complaints/help-defending-your-rights_en

Social security rights

Social security rights: practical information

Social security cover when you live or work abroad.

Which country you’re covered by depends on 2 factors:

  • your work situation (employed, self-employed, unemployed, posted abroad, working across the border from where you live, and so on)
  • your country of residence – not your nationality.

You may not choose which country you will be covered by.

When working or living abroad, you will have social security cover by either your home country or the host country. In either case, you’ll need to make arrangements to make sure you stay covered after you move to your new country.

Social security rights: policy information

Rules and principles regarding EU social security coordination – how the EU protects your social security rights as you move within Europe.

The EU provides common rules to protect your social security rights when moving within Europe (EU 27 + Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom). The rules on social security coordination do not replace national systems with a single European one. All countries are free to decide who is to be insured under their legislation, which benefits are granted and under what conditions.

Who do these rules apply to?

The four main principles

  1. You are covered by the legislation of one country at a time so you only pay contributions in one country. The decision on which country’s legislation applies to you will be made by the social security institutions. You cannot choose.
    Find out which rules apply to you
  2. You have the same rights and obligations as the nationals of the country where you are covered. This is known as the principle of equal treatment or non-discrimination.
  3. When you claim a benefit, your previous periods of insurance, work or residence in other countries are taken into account if necessary.
  4. If you are entitled to a cash benefit from one country, you may generally receive it even if you are living in a different country. This is known as the principle of exportability.

More information

As from 1 May 2010, new Regulations on modernised coordination (Regulations 883/2004 and 987/2009) apply. Check our frequently asked questions for further information.  Find out about social security rules in the country of your interest.

On 13 December 2016, the Commission proposed a revision of the EU legislation on social security coordination. The proposal is currently being discussed by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.

https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=849

https://ec.europa.eu/info/live-work-travel-eu/living-another-eu-country/social-security-rights_en

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