Social security coordination in the European Union is a legal framework designed to facilitate the free movement of EU citizens across Member States while ensuring the protection of their social security rights. Established on the principles of equal treatment, export of benefits, insurance in a single country at a time and the aggregation of insurance records, this coordination mechanism enables individuals to access social security benefits in a manner that transcends national borders. 

Around 4.6 million attestations of insurance coverage (PD A1) are issued each year to workers in cross-border situations (reference year 2022). More than 242 million European Health Insurance Cards are in circulation and over 6.2 million pensions are transferred to persons residing in a different European country (reference year 2022).  

ELA serves as a platform for the exchange of information and good practices, promoting consistency and cooperation among diverse national social security systems. ELA’s activities aim to facilitate collaboration among Member States' authorities, ensuring the effective implementation of EU social security regulations. The Authority also improves access to information on rights and obligations on social security coordination for individuals and employers. In addition, ELA supports the enforcement of social security legislation in Member States through the organisation of joint and concerted inspections and it carries out analysis and risk assessment.