Why Buy an A1 Certificate?

A1 certificates are essential documents which allow individuals to be covered by their country's health insurance plan when working in another country. This is especially crucial for companies that have employees who are on secondment in other EU countries.

The institution that issued A1 certificates refused to withdraw the certificates in criminal proceedings when the Belgian Social Security Inspectorate requested them to do this.

What is an A1 Certificate?

A1 certificates are legal documents that prove that an employee or self employed person is a member of their country's system of social security. This means they can remain exempt from contributing to the host country for a certain time period, based on the country they are in and the duration of their work travel or assignment. It is crucial for those who is planning to work in an EU country or EEA/EFTA state as well as self-employed professionals and civil servants.

If you are traveling to any country that requires an A1 certificate and you are required to bring it with you. This can accelerate the process of entering the country, and also protect them against a possible fine by the labor inspectorate. It is crucial to use the right form when applying for the A1 certificate and to provide all the documentation required to receive the approval. It is also a good idea to number your documents and list the number of sheets in order that the labour inspectors are able to locate them easily.

The process of obtaining an A1 certification varies from country to country and can range between two weeks and months. This is due to the fact that each country has its own A1 application process and procedures and the application must be made in the language of the country.

For HR, this process is typically facilitated by using an A1 certificate software program that handles the whole application and approval process on behalf of employees. This streamlines the workflow and reduces administrative burden for both employees and employers.

To make the necessary arrangements, a worker who plans to travel to multiple countries that require an A1 certification should contact the social security agency of the country they are visiting. For instance, people with health insurance that is statutory should contact their health insurance provider, while those who are insured privately or civil servants need to contact the Pension House.

Many people travel to several European countries on business, but often travel without a certificate of A1. This isn't likely to cause issues for labor inspections, but it can pose some risk in the event of an emergency. In these instances, it is best to obtain an A1 certificate so that you can demonstrate your home country's social insurance coverage to authorities in case an emergency occurs.

Why do I require an A1 Certificate

The A1 certificate permits people to keep the benefits of social security while working abroad and avoid the double contribution. Without an A1 certificate individuals are required to contribute to the social security system of both their home country as well as their host country, which could be costly for companies and employees alike.

The A1 certificate demonstrates that an employee or self-employed individual is covered by the social security system in their home country, and it is required whenever they go on work or business trips to other EU countries (as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom) for work purposes. Even though checks on the freeway or in trains are not typical social security officials can investigate individuals if they are unable to produce an A1 certificate.

It is therefore recommended that individuals apply for an A1 certification at the time they become aware that they are working in another EEA member state. The process for applying is easy, and the cost of getting an A1 certificate is far less than the risk of being penalized by local social security authorities for non-compliance.

For UK-based companies and individuals A1 certification is required to ensure compliance with post Brexit social security regulations. These changes involve adjustments to the UK's bilateral agreements with EEA nations, as well as a renewed emphasis on avoiding fraud in cross-border employment disputes.


No matter the type, duration or sector of your work you'll require an A1 certificate to work in another EEA member state. This certificate helps in preventing social and wage dumping whereby workers are being paid less in the host country than they would be in their home country.

To help employers and individuals navigate these changes, WorkFlex offers a full set of services to help with the A1 certificate process. For example the WorkFlex A1 Cheat Sheet provides useful processing tips along with common pitfalls and solutions, and much more. The cheat sheet also provides important changes to the rules and regulations for obtaining a A1 certificate after Brexit. Click here to download the entire guide.

How do I obtain an A1 Certificate?

It can be a long and complicated process to obtain an A1 Certificate. It requires a complete and comprehensive form submitted to the authorities in your home country which can take a significant amount of time. However the benefits of getting an A1 Certificate far outweigh the inconvenience.

The A1 Certificate, for example, allows individuals to avoid social contributions that are mandatory in multiple EU member states simultaneously. The A1 Certificate streamlines administrative procedures, saving both employers and employees money as well as time. It also helps to preserve the rights and benefits an individual's social insurance provides while working in foreign countries. This benefit is especially crucial for businesses that frequently send employees on business trips to different European countries.

The A1 Certificate confirms the laws that apply to an employee who is working in another EEA country or treaty for a short period of time. This can be crucial in making sure that there are no double payments or penalties.

To get an A1 certification an individual must submit a formal application to the social insurance provider in the country they reside in. Typically, the form contains details like their name and nationality, their employer, and dates of employment. The application is submitted to the appropriate authority for review. After approval, the applicant will receive an A1 certification in either digital or paper form. The certificate is required to be handed over to the social security organization in their host country and copies should be provided to coworkers.

The A1 certificate is able to be used in all EU, EEA and Swiss member states. It is not a replacement for a visa or work permit. It is still a valuable tool that workers should get before they begin working abroad.

For more information about the A1 Certificate and its implications read our blog post on the subject. Download our A1 Certificate Guide, or utilize a tool like Localyze to streamline your process. With a user-friendly dashboard you can manage the applications of all employees who travel to Europe to work.

Where can I find an A1 certificate?

To legally work in another EU country an employee must possess an A1 certification that is valid. osd test B1Zertifikat lists the individual's host country (where they are working temporarily) and their home country (their country of legal residence). It determines where their social security and taxes premiums are paid. The A1 certificate helps avoid double payments and ensures that employees contribute to the system to which they are entitled. To get an A1 certificate, a person must contact their home or the social insurance company in their host country. The process is complicated and varies from country to country. It is best to plan ahead of the trip.

All European citizens who work in other countries must possess A1 certificates. The certificate is also required for anyone who travels to an EU country or EEA for business. This directive also applies to Switzerland, a signatory to the EC Treaty. The A1 is an important document for businesses who employ international employees or who travel frequently for business.

The A1 certification process is controlled by Regulation 883/2004. It lays out the guidelines for determining which social security law is applicable when workers are moving between countries within the EU. This is intended to stop "wage and social dumping" where employers profit from the tax differences between the host and home countries of their workers.

It is crucial for employees to know their rights and obligations in relation to social security and how they can protect themselves. It is crucial to get in touch with an expert who can answer any questions and guide employees through the process.

CIBT Assure streamlines your entire A1 certificate process, thereby saving you time and money. We can help your employees navigate through the complicated requirements of this document and comply with the challenges of compliance. Our vast experience and understanding of immigration, social security and posted worker regulations will be a a great benefit to you. Our experience ensures that all submissions are complete and in compliance.

CIBT Assure’s proprietary process allows us to anticipate and address quickly any issues that could cause a submission to be rejected by the social insurance authorities of your country of residence. This will save your employees from expensive fines and unnecessary delays.