Working in other EU countries: how can you keep your social security coverage in Italy?

Working in a country other than the one in which you habitually reside also means understanding which social security system applies. For citizens who work in more than one European Union Member State, or who are temporarily posted abroad by their employer, EU law provides specific tools to avoid overlapping contributions and ensure continuity of social security protection.

In certain circumstances, it is in fact possible to remain subject to the Italian social security system even while working in another EU country. The Portable Document A1 (PD A1) is particularly relevant for this purpose, as it identifies the social security legislation applicable to the worker.

The A1 document: a tool for preserving your Italian social security position

The A1 certificate is the document that certifies which national social security legislation applies to a person working in one or more countries of the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland, in the cases governed by the coordination rules.

Its main purpose is to certify that the worker remains subject to the social security system of the State that issued it. Consequently, where the conditions laid down by EU law are met, the document makes it possible to show that contributions must continue to be paid in the competent country, without the worker being simultaneously required to contribute to the social security system of the host State for the same activity.

Consider, for example, an employee lawfully hired in Italy who is temporarily sent by their company to a branch located in another EU country. If the conditions for continuing to apply Italian legislation are met, the A1 certificate documents this situation and preserves the continuity of social security coverage during the posting period.

It should be noted that the issuance of the document does not depend solely on the wishes of the worker or the company: the actual characteristics of the activity carried out and the conditions laid down by EU rules must be verified. A simple move abroad therefore does not automatically mean that Italian social security will be maintained.

How to apply for the A1 certificate in Italy

In Italy, the body responsible for social security is the National Social Security Institute (INPS), which is also responsible for issuing the A1 certificate in the cases provided for.

The way the application is submitted varies depending on the professional position of the person concerned and the characteristics of the work carried out abroad.

In the case of an employee temporarily posted to a company or branch located in another Member State, the application is generally submitted to INPS online by the employer, either directly or through an authorized intermediary. It is therefore the company that must initiate the procedure required to obtain the certificate confirming that the employee remains in the Italian social security system.

A specific procedure applies to self-employed workers who intend to carry out their professional activity temporarily in another EU country. In these circumstances, the person concerned can use the dedicated online service on the INPS portal to submit the application and provide the information needed to assess their contribution position.

Particular attention must also be paid to those who habitually work in two or more Member States. In these situations, it is not enough to consider the country in which most of the work is occasionally carried out: the EU coordination criteria must be applied, taking into account, among other factors, residence, the nature of the activity and the distribution of the work across the different territories. In this case too, the A1 certificate formally identifies the competent social security system.

Prior notification of work-related travel

Planning professional activity abroad also requires proper management of the obligation to inform the competent authorities.

EU rules provide that the employer or the worker concerned must notify, as far as possible before the cross-border activity begins, the information relating to the travel and the work to be carried out in another State.

This notification allows social security institutions to verify promptly which legislation should apply and to confirm that the requirements for issuing the A1 document are met. Acting in advance also reduces the risk of disputes, contribution claims by foreign authorities or administrative difficulties during the period of work abroad.

To identify the institution responsible for issuing the certificate, the official list of contact points drawn up at European level can be consulted. This documentation makes it possible to identify the national bodies to contact depending on the State concerned.

Which forms can be used to protect your social security rights?

In addition to the A1 certificate, a number of standardized forms exist within the framework of European mobility that allow citizens to exercise their social security rights when they live or work in an EU country other than their country of origin.

These documents meet different needs and may concern, depending on the situation, access to social benefits, proof of insurance status or the recognition of certain contribution periods accrued in other Member States.

The European Commission provides a collection of forms and practical information through the Your Europe portal, which is a point of reference for anyone intending to move or start working within the EU.

It should be remembered that the A1 certificate does not replace any other documents that may be required to access healthcare or other forms of social assistance. Its function specifically concerns identifying the applicable social security legislation, while other rights must be assessed on the basis of the rules laid down for each benefit.

Working abroad without losing Italian social security continuity

The possibility of keeping Italian social security coverage while working in another EU country is an important aspect of professional mobility in Europe. Coordination between national systems prevents a move across borders from automatically fragmenting contribution obligations or making the worker subject to more than one social security legislation for the same activity.

In this context, the Portable Document A1 is an essential tool for certifying the applicable system, provided that the conditions laid down by EU and national law are met.

Before starting a professional assignment abroad, it is therefore advisable to check your situation with INPS and, where necessary, involve your employer or a specialized intermediary so that the application is submitted correctly and in good time.

Proper management of these requirements makes it possible to approach international work with greater certainty regarding contributions, preserving accrued social security rights and ensuring compliance with the rules applicable in the different countries involved.

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The content of this article is intended to provide general information on the topic. For doubts or specific cases, it is advisable to seek specialized legal advice tailored to your particular situation.

Article written by Alessia Ajelli, Managing Associate of LCA Studio Legale, Italian lawyer specialized on Italian immigration and citizenship law.