## [Social security coordination](/en/topics/social-security-coordination) **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 5.5 million attestations of insurance coverage (PD A1) are issued each year to workers in cross-border situations (reference year 2023). More than 253 million European Health Insurance Cards are in circulation and over 6.3 million pensions are transferred to persons residing in a different European country (reference year 2023). 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. ## Ongoing activities ELA supports a diverse range of activities related to social security: - **support of implementation of Electronic Exchange of Social Security Information** (the EESSI system) with the PROGRESS programme, including workstreams on trainings, good practices sharing, national implementation mapping and end user support; - **cooperation and joint projects** with the Administrative Commission for Coordination of Social Security Systems; - **strategic analysis and risk assessment studies** on selected topics in the field of social security coordination, such as fraud and error, new patterns of work, and cross-border digital services; - coordination and support of **cross-border inspections** related to social security; - **improve access to information** concerning social security coordination through awareness-raising campaigns informing individuals and employers of their rights and obligations, (peer or expert) reviews of European and national online information sources, translation of information, local information events and updates of EURES portal information on living and working conditions; - **training of national authorities and EURES advisers** on social security coordination; - **promotion of bilateral and multilateral collaboration** between Member States' social security authorities ## EU Legal Framework Relevant EU legislation in ELA's mandate: - [Regulation 883/2004](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32004R0883) on the coordination of social security systems - [Regulation 987/2009](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32009R0987&qid=1712928545628) laying down the procedure for implementing Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 on the coordination of social security systems - [Regulation 1231/2010](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32010R1231) extending Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 and Regulation (EC) No 987/2009 to nationals of third countries who are not already covered by these Regulations solely on the ground of their nationality - [Regulation 2016/589](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/589/oj) on a European network of employment services (EURES) ## Resources Cooperation Agreement between AC and ELA \[EN\] English (379.81 KB - PDF) [View](https://www.ela.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-03/AC-ELA_Agreement_for_signing_17.12.2021_NB.pdf) [Other languages (23)](#language-dropdown335) Cooperation Agreement between AC and ELA \[BG\] български (217.07 KB - PDF) [View](https://www.ela.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-03/AC-ELA_Agreement_BG.pdf) Cooperation Agreement between AC and ELA \[ES\] español (194.91 KB - PDF) [View](https://www.ela.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-03/AC-ELA_Agreement_ES.pdf) Cooperation Agreement between AC and ELA \[CS\] čeština (192.12 KB - PDF) [View](https://www.ela.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-03/AC-ELA_Agreement_CS.pdf) Cooperation Agreement between AC and ELA \[DA\] dansk (142.95 KB - PDF) [View](https://www.ela.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-03/AC-ELA_Agreement_DA.pdf) Cooperation Agreement between AC and ELA \[DE\] Deutsch (148.2 KB - PDF) [View](https://www.ela.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-03/AC-ELA_Agreement_DE.pdf) Cooperation Agreement between AC and ELA \[ET\] eesti (138.22 KB - PDF) [View](https://www.ela.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-03/AC-ELA_Agreement_ET.pdf) Cooperation Agreement between AC and ELA \[EL\] ελληνικά (185.67 KB - PDF) [View](https://www.ela.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-03/AC-ELA_Agreement_EL.pdf) Cooperation Agreement between AC and ELA \[FR\] français (256.38 KB - PDF) [View](https://www.ela.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-03/AC-ELA_Agreement_FR.pdf) Cooperation Agreement between AC and ELA \[GA\] Gaeilge (176.83 KB - PDF) [View](https://www.ela.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-03/AC-ELA_Agreement_GA.pdf) Cooperation Agreement between AC and ELA \[HR\] hrvatski (181.49 KB - PDF) [View](https://www.ela.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-03/AC-ELA_Agreement_HR.pdf) Cooperation Agreement between AC and ELA \[IT\] italiano (186.94 KB - PDF) [View](https://www.ela.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-03/AC-ELA_Agreement_IT.pdf) Cooperation Agreement between AC and ELA \[LV\] latviešu (197.79 KB - PDF) [View](https://www.ela.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-03/AC-ELA_Agreement_LV.pdf) Cooperation Agreement between AC and ELA \[LT\] lietuvių (183.44 KB - PDF) [View](https://www.ela.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-03/AC-ELA_Agreement_LT.pdf) Cooperation Agreement between AC and ELA \[HU\] magyar (187.35 KB - PDF) [View](https://www.ela.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-03/AC-ELA_Agreement_HU.pdf) Cooperation Agreement between AC and ELA \[MT\] Malti (248.28 KB - PDF) [View](https://www.ela.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-03/AC-ELA_Agreement_MT.pdf) Cooperation Agreement between AC and ELA \[NL\] Nederlands (195.5 KB - PDF) [View](https://www.ela.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-03/AC-ELA_Agreement_NL.pdf) Cooperation Agreement between AC and ELA \[PL\] polski (191.52 KB - PDF) [View](https://www.ela.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-03/AC-ELA_Agreement_PL.pdf) Cooperation Agreement between AC and ELA \[PT\] português (144.57 KB - PDF) [View](https://www.ela.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-03/AC-ELA_Agreement_PT.pdf) Cooperation Agreement between AC and ELA \[RO\] română (228.25 KB - PDF) [View](https://www.ela.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-03/AC-ELA_Agreement_RO.pdf) Cooperation Agreement between AC and ELA \[SK\] slovenčina (191.25 KB - PDF) [View](https://www.ela.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-03/AC-ELA_Agreement_SK.pdf) Cooperation Agreement between AC and ELA \[SL\] slovenščina (180.02 KB - PDF) [View](https://www.ela.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-03/AC-ELA_Agreement_SL.pdf) Cooperation Agreement between AC and ELA \[FI\] suomi (174.35 KB - PDF) [View](https://www.ela.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-03/AC-ELA_Agreement_FI.pdf) Cooperation Agreement between AC and ELA \[SV\] svenska (190.46 KB - PDF) [View](https://www.ela.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-03/AC-ELA_Agreement_SV_0.pdf) ## Publications ### Social security coordination ![Aircrew in Europe face uneven enforcement of labour and social security rules](/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_list_item_featured/public/2026-07/Aviation%20COVER.png?h=05a4ffaa&itok=dd7hkUo3) [Enforcement of labour mobility and social security coordination rules for aircrew members](/en/publications/enforcement-labour-mobility-and-social-security-coordination-rules-aircrew-members) Published date: 23 June 2026 Reports ![Europe shape made from people](/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_list_item_featured/public/2026-05/AdobeStock_254311724.jpeg?h=10e94931&itok=hw2dI5Gb) [Report on overview and analysis of Member States’ tools, processes and procedures related to the administration and issuance of PD A1 in situations of posting](/en/publications/report-overview-and-analysis-member-states-tools-processes-and-procedures-related) Published date: 6 May 2026 Reports ![care giver holds older persons's hand](/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_list_item_featured/public/2026-04/hands.jpeg?h=2e111cc1&itok=V-u6Oayq) [The long-term care sector: Labour mobility and enforcement challenges](/en/publications/long-term-care-sector-labour-mobility-and-enforcement-challenges)This ELA Strategic Analysis explores labour mobility, working conditions and enforcement challenges across long-term care in the EU and EEA. Published date: 22 April 2026 Reports ## Latest news ### Social security coordination ![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 [See all related news](https://www.ela.europa.eu/en/news?f%5B0%5D=topics%3A165) ## Upcoming events ### Social security coordination 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 [See all events](https://www.ela.europa.eu/en/events?f%5B0%5D=topics%3A165) ## Contacts **ELA** - [Send a query on social security coordination](https://www.ela.europa.eu/en/services/contact?category=Social%20security%20coordination) **Social partners and other stakeholders at European level** - [BusinessEurope](https://www.businesseurope.eu/) | The Confederation of European Business - [SMEunited](https://www.smeunited.eu/) | association of Crafts and SMEs in Europe - [ETUC](https://etuc.org/en) | European Trade Union Confederation - [ESIP](https://esip.eu/) | European Alliance in Social Insurance ## See also - [DG Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion on EU social security coordination](https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=849) - [For businesses: Your Europe on social security](https://europa.eu/youreurope/business/human-resources/social-security-health/social-security/index_en.htm) - [For citizens: Your Europe on social security systems in the EU](https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/work/unemployment-and-benefits/social-security/index_en.htm) - [Official documents - Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion - European Commission](https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies-and-activities/moving-working-europe/eu-social-security-coordination/specialised-information/official-documents_en) - [Your Europe Advice](https://europa.eu/youreurope/advice/index_en.htm) - [Solvit](https://ec.europa.eu/solvit/index_en.htm) - [The EU's Mutual Information System on Social Protection (MISSOC)](https://www.missoc.org/)