The purpose of this guide is to provide you with easily understandable information about your rights and obligations in the field of social security whenever you have to deal with the social security systems of two or more Member States of the European Union.

This could be the case, for example, when exercising an occupational activity abroad, taking up residence elsewhere in the European Union or simply during a temporary stay in another Member State. The national social security schemes vary considerably from one country to another, and the Community provisions on social security, although constantly evolving, are not intended to harmonise them. The purpose of these provisions is merely to prevent you from losing part or all of your social security rights when you move from one Member State to another.

Please note that this guide does not contain information on the social security schemes of the Member States. A detailed summary of these schemes can be found in the guide 'Your social security rights when moving within the European Union'.

The Community provisions on social security

Your rights when moving within the European Union