New Expat Assignments Will Be Seriously Influenced by EU Social Security Legislation

About 50% of the new expat assignments in Europeexpenses.
may be influenced by important changes in the EUThe current expat assignments are not controlled by
social security legislation starting in 2010.this new legislation; however, every case has to be
These changes were actually ratified several yearspresented to the pertinent authorities before May 1st
ago; however, the regulations to put this new legislation2010. In any case, it is expected that within time, any
into practice were very recently approved, establishingflexibility in treating old cases will diminish.
thus the beginning of a six-month process leading to itsEmployers will certainly centre on the changes in social
introduction on May 1st 2010. The last major change tosecurity contributions, and employees should worry
EU social security legislation took place more than 35about their personal benefits, like state pension and
years ago, when the processes for acquiring E101child benefit. It is important that every communication
certificates were established.regarding the changes is handled with care.
The intention behind the new changes is to simplify theProbably, the most affected employees will be the
regulations by making them shorter; nevertheless, thislong-term expats and commuters. For the former, it will
goal is still pending confirmation of success. Many rulesbe difficult to remain a part of the UK National
regarding certain employee types have beenInsurance system starting 2010, and for the latter, their
completely eliminated, for example, those for aircrewsocial security status will get even more complicated. In
and transport workers, and rules that involve the neworder to avoid penalties, employers should have a
short-term and long-term expats, as well as crossgreat deal of clarity as to their obligations in regards to
border workers, have changed considerably.commuters.
Short-term expats will have to keep giving to theirIt is important to talk to the pertinent authorities and to
home countries after they are assigned to workget the help of proficient UK immigration lawyers to
outside for two years or less, and it will be very difficultensure every expat gets a fair treatment and his or
for long-term expats to stay insured within their homeher rights and duties are clear and accounted for.
country for as long as the five year limit.If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They'll
The new regulations focus importantly onthank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can
pan-European compliance. Now, foreign social securitylink to it or even post it to your own site (don't forget
authorities will be allowed to put responsibilities intoto mention ukmigrationlawyers.co.uk as the original
effect through their UK counterparts, and vice versa.source).
There are new rules about electronic data exchangePlease note that these articles and the information
between authorities, which will help make cross-bordercontained herein are purely for general guidance and
compliance stricter, and the introduction of a EU socialdo not constitute a professional legal or any other
security database makes it more possible toopinion as to the merits of a particular application or
implement the action being taken against companieswhether specific immigration requirements have been
which have not paid the social security contributions ormet of a particular category. This information is generic
have paid them in the incorrect location.and should not be relied upon as a definitive guide to
There will be less flexibility and much more controlfulfilling specific category requirements. However
over UK employers sending expats to work abroadshould any individual do so it is at his or her own risk
and for the ones taking expats in. UK employers willfor which UK Migration Lawyers Limited cannot be
have to adapt to the new regulation very fast so thatheld responsible in any way.
they are not penalized with higher social security