Posted Workers

Who is a Posted Worker?

If you are employed in an EU/EEA country and are sent by your employer (or you send yourself, in case you are self-employed) for a temporary (up to 24 months) assignment to another EU/EEA country, you are considered a “posted worker”.

Where am I Covered if I am a Posted Worker?

For the period of posting, you keep paying social security contributions to, and remain covered by, the social security system of your home country.

In practice, you will be able to access healthcare services in the country where you are posted to on the same terms as the residents of that country, but your healthcare costs will be covered by your home country’s social security system. 

Is There a Time Limitation for Being Posted?

Posting is normally limited in time to 24 months (2 years). If your posting lasts longer, then you have two options:

–          you can either switch to the social security system of your host country and start paying social security contributions there; or

–          you can apply for an extension of your right to remain covered by the social security system of your home country.

The latter extension can be granted if a mutual agreement is reached by the countries involved in your posting and if such extension is in your interest.

In order to request the extension, you and your employer should contact the competent social security authority in your home country.

Additionally, if you return to your home country after one posting, some time has to pass before your other posting can begin – the exact period depends on each country, but 2 months is usually enough for many EU countries.

How do I Access Healthcare in my Host Country When I am Posted?

Since posting is always limited in time, you can use your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if you would like to access healthcare in the country where you are posted to.

However, bear in mind that EHIC has its limitations – for example, you can get only medically-necessary and state-provided treatments with your EHIC.

In order to ensure that you have full access to healthcare in the country where you are posted to, you and your employer should request certain forms – such as forms A1 and S1 – before you are posted.

What procedure Should be Followed if I am Posted to Another Country – A1 and S1 Forms

A1 Form

A1 is a form that proves that you remain covered by the social security system of your home country for the time of your stay in the host country. The procedure of obtaining it varies based on your employed or self-employed status.

If you are employed, make sure that your employer informs the social security institution of your home country and obtains the A1 form for you before you are posted.

If you are self-employed, you yourself have to inform the social security institution of your home country about your posting and obtain the A1 form.

In order to be eligible for the A1 form as a self-employed person, you must fulfill the following conditions:

–          you must have worked as a self-employed person in your home country as a self-employed person (the required period varies from country to country);

–          you must prove that the activities that you will pursue in the host country are similar to the ones you pursued in your home country;

–          you must fulfill the requirements to continue your self-employed activates upon your return to your home country.

You must be able to present your A1 form at any time during your posting abroad as that form serves as a proof that you remain covered by the social security system of your home country.

S1 Form

S1 form will entitle you to receive health care in your host country on the same terms as the residents of that country during your stay abroad, while the healthcare costs will be covered by the social security system of your home country.

You yourself must get the S1 form from the competent social security institution in your home country before you move abroad.

Upon arrival to your host country, you must submit the S1 form to the competent social security institution of that country.

Last updated on 31 January 2025