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

Around 5.5 million Portable Documents A1 (PD A1) are issued each year across the EU, underlining their central role in social security coordination and cross‑border posting. In line with the Single Digital Gateway Regulation, Member States have increasingly digitalised PD A1 procedures, reshaping how applications are submitted, processed and verified. This ELA report examines PD A1 issuance in posting situations, focusing on the digital tools used, assessment practices applied and control and verification mechanisms in place. It highlights progress in online application systems, electronic delivery and automation, while also identifying ongoing divergence in the assessment of core posting conditions and in approaches to verification and fraud prevention. The report concludes with recommendations addressing digital tools and portal functionality, assessment grounds and administrative workload, cross‑border cooperation, and anti‑fraud measures, with a view to supporting more consistent and efficient PD A1 procedures across the EU and EEA.