Imagine this: you’re sending an employee on a one-day trip to a trade fair in Germany, a client meeting in France, or even an internal training in Spain. Guess what? They need an A1 certificate, every single time.
According to Regulations (EC) No. 883/2004 and 987/2009, every cross-border work-related activity, no matter how trivial, requires an A1 certificate. There are zero exemptions for employees, not even for the shortest business trips.
What is an A1 Certificate?
It's a document to prove the employee remains covered by their home country’s social security system, preventing them from having to pay social security in the destination country.
While most countries have been lax about enforcing the requirement for this document, that’s no longer the case everywhere. Some, like Austria, France, and Germany, have stepped up enforcement recently, carrying out inspections at company sites. If your company isn’t compliant, you could be in for an unpleasant wake-up call.
What does this mean for employers?
- Additional paperwork for routine trips
- Delays in business operations. It may take weeks to issue it in certain countries!
- Risk of hefty fines (up to €10,000!)
- Potential double social security payments in both home & host countries
The EU initially suggested discussing business trip exemptions, but years later nothing has changed.
And this applies to the UK too! Any trip to the EU comes with the same A1 certificate requirement.
Don't get caught unprepared, ensure your employees have their A1 certificates before every business trip. Stay compliant, avoid fines, and keep operations running smoothly. Need help with the process? Contact us today and safeguard your business from unnecessary risks.