##  [Posting of workers](/en/topics/posting-workers) 

A "**[posted worker](/en/glossary/posted-worker "An employee sent by his/her employer to carry out a cross-border service in another EU Member State on a temporary basis under the freedom of provision of services. For example, a service provider may win a contract in another country and send his employees there to carry out the contract. …")"** is an employee sent by their employer to carry out a service in another EU Member State on a temporary basis. Posting of workers is based on the principle of freedom of movement of services within the EU.

Approximately 3.6 million postings involving around 2.6 million workers are estimated in the EU. Remarkably, 1.2 million workers are active in two or more Member States, highlighting the extensive nature of labour mobility in the European Union.

 

 

 

 

 Read more The **main sectors** for posted workers include construction, manufacturing, transport (road/freight), warehousing, financial, professional, scientific, and administrative activities, as well as human health and social work activities.

Implementation and enforcement of legislation on the posting of workers face several challenges:

- accessibility and availability of information on applicable rules, for companies and citizens
- complex mobility patterns (such as [subcontracting](/en/glossary/subcontracting "Employing a firm or person outside one’s company to do work as part of a larger project.") schemes, [letterbox companies](/en/glossary/letterbox-companies "Companies which have complied only with the bare essentials (e.g., book-keeping, administration) for organisation and registration in a particular country. The actual commercial activities are often carried out in another country. This is sometimes used to enable businesses to deviate from…"), and [bogus self-employment](/en/glossary/bogus-self-employment "Often referred to as false self-employment or dependent self-employment, this is commonly understood as involving persons/workers registered as self-employed whose conditions of employment are de facto dependent employment. National legislation and/or court decisions determine this status. This…")),
- cases of non-compliance with legislation, and
- need for improved cooperation among Member State authorities.

A growing phenomenon within labour mobility is the **posting of workers who are third-country nationals**. These workers are particularly vulnerable due to their dependence on employers for the renewal of work and residence permits. Third-country national posted workers are at a higher risk of encountering abusive practices, breach of labour rights and employment conditions, and irregular payment of social contributions. ELA considers it important to focus on posting of third-country nationals within the EU labour market.











 

##  Ongoing activities 

In the area of Posting of workers ELA is currently engaged on two wide ranges of activities where several actions are being planned:

- [Posting of workers in the construction sector 2023/2024](https://www.ela.europa.eu/en/events?f%5B0%5D=lp_event__dates_end%3Apast&f%5B1%5D=lp_event__dates_end%3Aupcoming&f%5B2%5D=sectors%3A143&sort%5Bname%5D=oe_sc_event_dates_end_value&sort%5Bdirection%5D=DESC "Bevers and Wołoszyn re-elected as chair and deputy chair of the Management Board. The construction sector will be the focus for 2023."): specific activities to address the key issues in the construction sector are planned for 2023 and 2024, covering information, enforcement and cooperation activities.
- [Posting 360](/en/news/enhancing-cross-border-cooperation-area-posting-workers-ela-launches-posting-360-programme "Enhancing cross-border cooperation in the area of posting of workers: ELA launches the Posting 360 Programme"): multi-annual mutual learning and understanding programme that aims to improve the exchange of information, enhance administrative cooperation and increase knowledge about EU and national rules as regards the posting of workers.

 

 

 

 

##  EU Legal Framework 

Posting of workers is governed by various legal frameworks, including national laws, EU directives and bilateral agreements between countries. These frameworks aim to ensure that posted workers are protected and receive fair treatment, for example in terms of wages, working conditions, and social security benefits, while also promoting the freedom to provide services across borders.

Relevant EU legislation:

- [Posting of Workers Directive (Directive 96/71/EC)](https://www.google.it/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiL0pKLsKOBAxUnxQIHHcIlAIYQFnoECBwQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Feur-lex.europa.eu%2Flegal-content%2FEN%2FALL%2F%3Furi%3Dcelex%253A31996L0071&usg=AOvVaw3w07k6fzN-aPpl3vbcFgxJ&opi=89978449)
- [Enforcement Directive 2014/67/EU](https://www.google.it/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwit_cKSsKOBAxWq2gIHHYolDh0QFnoECA4QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Feur-lex.europa.eu%2Flegal-content%2FEN%2FTXT%2F%3Furi%3Dcelex%253A32014L0067&usg=AOvVaw07pLD6i_DWU37cYBKw6soA&opi=89978449)
- [Revised Posting of Workers Directive (Directive EU 2018/957) ](https://www.google.it/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjYsbeZsKOBAxWa76QKHYp6AugQFnoECBwQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Feur-lex.europa.eu%2Flegal-content%2FEN%2FTXT%2F%3Furi%3DCELEX%253A32018L0957&usg=AOvVaw1GPTEWskSr-9b0TbqZ3EP3&opi=89978449)

Specific rules are laid down for posting of drivers in the [road transport sector](https://www.ela.europa.eu/en/social-aspects-international-road-transport#bcl-inpage-item-1827).

 

 

 

 

##  ELA's role and tasks 

ELA's primary objective in the area of posting of workers is to improve enforcement of existing rules.

To achieve this, ELA has set more detailed objectives to enhance accessibility, availability, and understanding of information about posting of workers. Additionally, ELA aims to improve cross-border enforcement by providing data-driven insights into posting patterns and enhancing the efficiency of administrative cooperation between Member State authorities.

 

 

 

 

 Read more At the European Labour Authority, we are committed to ensure fair treatment, to protect workers' rights, and to promote harmonious labour mobility in the posting context. By addressing the challenges and information gaps, we strive to create a more transparent and compliant environment for both employers and workers across the European Union.

The **role** of ELA in the posting of workers includes:

- [Information](/en/news/18-eu-member-states-participated-road-transport-inspections-8-countries-organised-ela-week-0 "18 EU Member States participated in road transport inspections in 8 countries organised by ELA this week"): ELA provides information to workers, employers, national authorities, social partners and other relevant stakeholders about the rules and obligations related to the posting of workers, including [information and awareness raising campaigns](/en/glossary/information-and-awareness-raising-campaigns "coordinated and targeted campaign on a specific topic, such as labour mobility, with the aim of addressing information gaps, by providing valuable information and raising awareness about that topic").
- [Cooperation and coordination](/en/news/cooperation-posting-third-country-nationals-ela-releases-new-report "Cooperation on the posting of Third-Country Nationals: ELA releases a new report"): ELA facilitates cooperation and coordination among the national authorities of EU member states. It promotes the exchange of information, best practices, and experiences to ensure a consistent application of the rules on posting of workers.
- [Enforcement](/en/node/289 "Enforcement Directive"): ELA supports the enforcement of the rules on posting of workers and facilitates joint and concerted inspections (CJIs). It assists national authorities to monitor [compliance](/en/glossary/compliance "The act of obeying an order, rule, regulation or request. Compliance with a law means doing what is required to operate in the declared economy.") with the applicable regulations and ensures that workers' rights are protected.
- [Capacity building](/en/news/ela-and-european-commission-dg-grow-together-build-capacity-solvit-centres-0 "ELA and European Commission - DG GROW together to build the capacity of SOLVIT centres"): ELA supports capacity building among national authorities and social partners to enhance their knowledge and expertise in dealing with the posting of workers. This includes providing trainings, workshops, and other forms of support to improve the enforcement and implementation of the rules at the national level.

Overall, the European Labour Authority plays a crucial role in ensuring the effective enforcement of rules related to the posting of workers. It aims to protect the rights of posted workers, promote fair competition, and facilitate cooperation among EU member states to address any challenges or issues.











 

##  Resources 

### Communication materials

[See all](https://www.ela.europa.eu/en/documents?f%5B0%5D=ela_publication_type%3A180&f%5B1%5D=ela_publication_type%3A181&f%5B2%5D=topics%3A162)

 

 

 

 





 #EU4FairConstruction

 [Go to the campaign webpage](/en/campaigns/eu-fair-construction)





 





 #Road2FairTransport Campaign

 [Go to the campaign webpage](https://www.ela.europa.eu/en/campaign/road-fair-transport)





 

  

##  Contacts 

**ELA**

- info![at](/modules/contrib/spamspan/image.gif)ela \[dot\] europa \[dot\] eu (subject: Posting%20of%20workers)  (Send a query on Posting of workers)

**Social partners at European level**

- [European Trade Union Confederation - ETUC](https://www.etuc.org/)
- [Business Europe](https://www.businesseurope.eu/)
- [European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises - SME united](https://www.smeunited.eu/)
- [Services of General Interest Europe - SGI Europe](https://sgieurope.org/)

 

 

 

 

##  Related news 

###  Posting of workers 

 

  ![European Labour Authority visual with the message “Test it before we launch it!” and three raised hands representing participation in user testing.](/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_list_item_featured_2x/public/2026-09/Pool%20of%20testers%20webnews.jpg?itok=p_5oBJjg)

 

 [Test it before we launch it!](/en/news/test-it-we-launch-it) 

Help shape ELA's websites, digital products, communication materials by sharing your feedback and experience.



 **Published date:** 22 September 2026 

 News 

 

 

 ![Week of Action temporary employment agencies](/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_list_item_featured_2x/public/2026-08/woa%20temporary%20agents%20cover.png?itok=M7rArQ8e)

 

 [ELA coordinates first week of action dedicated to temporary employment agencies and other labour intermediaries](/en/news/ela-coordinates-first-week-action-dedicated-temporary-employment-agencies-and-other-labour) 

In June 2026, the European Labour Authority (ELA) coordinated its first week of action dedicated to temporary employment agencies and other labour intermediaries. In this targeted action, enforcement authorities from 14 EU Member States worked together to check 70 companies and almost 2800 workers.



 **Published date:** 14 August 2026 

 News 

 

 

 ![EURES shortages report 2025 webnews](/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_list_item_featured_2x/public/2026-06/EURES-shortages.jpg?itok=W_6a90IE)

 

 [ELA launches 2025 EURES report highlighting structural labour shortages across Europe](/en/news/ela-launches-2025-eures-report-highlighting-structural-labour-shortages-across-europe) 

A new annual report maps where workers are missing and where they are available, sector by sector and country by country.



 **Published date:** 11 June 2026 

 News 

 

 

 

 

 

 

##  Upcoming events 

###  Posting of workers 

 

  Nov

24





Nov

25





2026







 [ELA Tech lab - 3rd edition ](/en/news-event/events/ela-tech-lab-3rd-edition)Time





Tuesday 24 November 2026, 08.00 (CET) - Wednesday 25 November 2026, 14.00 (CET)

 

 



Location





 Bratislava, Slovakia 





 Event 

  











 

 

 

 

##  Data on Posting 

- [Facts and figures on intra-EU labour mobility and EU social security coordination - Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion - European Commission (europa.eu)](https://eur05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fec.europa.eu%2Fsocial%2Fmain.jsp%3FcatId%3D1154%26langId%3Den&data=05%7C02%7Cmagdalena.zachlod-jelec%40ela.europa.eu%7Cd900902f0f4641ac4a3108dce9f12349%7Cba8252ebda414a268f373320ef9a2285%7C0%7C0%7C638642469083274111%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=rNqu6Nt%2FaDpTa%2F8tiapswa1k6u%2Bm73ANWyzGkeNLiiE%3D&reserved=0).
- [Posting of workers - Publications Office of the EU (europa.eu)](https://eur05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fop.europa.eu%2Fen%2Fpublication-detail%2F-%2Fpublication%2F384d8554-4e1c-11ef-acbc-01aa75ed71a1%2Flanguage-en&data=05%7C02%7Cmagdalena.zachlod-jelec%40ela.europa.eu%7Cd900902f0f4641ac4a3108dce9f12349%7Cba8252ebda414a268f373320ef9a2285%7C0%7C0%7C638642469083291480%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=EMN5q0DqA7krYMWgm1zwiHW1hyP6FAHbnU0pvGMhG0A%3D&reserved=0).

 

 

 

 

##  See also 

- [For workers: employment rights and working conditions for posted workers | European Commission](https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=471&langId=en)
- [For workers: which rules apply to you? | Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion - European Commission](https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=851&langId=en)
- [For workers: posting of workers | YourEurope Portal](https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/work/work-abroad/posted-workers/index_en.htm)
- [For employers: posting staff abroad | YourEurope Portal](https://europa.eu/youreurope/business/human-resources/posted-workers/posting-staff-abroad/index_en.htm)
- [Practical guide on posting | Publications Office of the EU](https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/8ac7320a-170f-11ea-8c1f-01aa75ed71a1/language-en)
- [Practical guide on the applicable legislation | Pubblications Office of the EU](https://ec.europa.eu/social/BlobServlet?docId=11366&langId=en&)