The Importance of the A1 Form for International Workers

Currently, many employees are being transferred to various countries within the European Union, contributing to the global workforce and the prosperity of international businesses. In this dynamic context, understanding the complexity of coordinating social insurance systems becomes essential for human resources professionals and international hires. A fundamental tool in this equation is represented by the A1 Form, issued by the National House of Public Pensions in Romania, which plays a crucial role in such projects.

Definition and Importance

The A1 Form is an official document issued by the National House of Public Pensions, applicable in the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland. This document serves as proof of payment of social contributions in a European country, thus avoiding the need to pay these contributions in multiple states.

The coordination of the document’s usage is governed by two significant legislative acts: Regulation (EC) No. 883/2004 on the coordination of social security systems and Regulation (EC) No. 987/2009, adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union on September 16, 2009 (available here).

Uses and Procedures

The A1 Form can be obtained in the context of posting (when a worker is sent to work in another state) or in the case of multi-activity (when a worker engages in salaried or self-employed activities in two or more member states). The maximum period of posting is 24 months, but in exceptional cases, with the agreement of the authorities in the countries involved, this period can be extended.

The principles of the A1 Form’s validity also extend beyond the European space to countries such as Canada, Israel, Albania, South Korea, North Macedonia, Moldova, Serbia, Turkey, Quebec, Chile, and Uruguay, thanks to bilateral agreements on social security concluded by Romania. The duration of posting periods varies depending on each country, and in certain situations, they can be extended (you can find more information available here).

Requirements for obtaining the A1 Form

Obtaining an A1 Form requires meeting certain conditions both on the part of the employer and the worker. The employer must be registered with the National Trade Register Office in Romania, have a CIF (Fiscal Identification Code), CUI (Unique Registration Code), and/or a Tax Identification Number (TIN), and the turnover generated in Romania must constitute at least 25% of the total turnover. Additionally, the employer should have a percentage of employees working in Romania and should not have any outstanding debts to the Romanian state.

For the worker, the conditions include performing the activity for the Romanian employer who is posting them, aligning the field of activity with that of the Romanian employer, and maintaining a subordinate relationship during the posting period. Additionally, the worker must be subject to the legislation of the member state where the employer is established before commencing the salaried activity.

Benefits

The A1 Form brings several essential benefits for international workers and employers involved in postings within the member states of the EU/EEA/Switzerland. These benefits are designed to facilitate labor mobility and ensure compliance with the regulations coordinating social insurance systems:

Social Security Continuity: A key feature that the A1 Form provides is allowing an employee to work in another member state for a period of up to 2 years while maintaining their social insurance status in their home country. This aspect is essential to ensure that international workers receive adequate social protection during their posting.

Insurance in the Home Country: By using such a form, the employee maintains a connection with the social insurance system in their home country. This means that benefits such as health insurance, pensions, and unemployment allowances continue to be administered in accordance with the rules and provisions of the home country.

Recognition of Professional Qualifications: Another significant advantage is that it eliminates the need for the recognition of professional qualifications in the host country. This greatly facilitates the posting process, avoiding bureaucracy and the time spent obtaining additional approvals.

Exemption from Work Permit: Using the A1 Form eliminates the need to obtain a work permit in the host country. This simplifies administrative procedures and expedites the process of starting work in the new location.

Simplifying Retirement: At the time of retirement, the employee does not need to deal with correspondence with social security institutions in the states where they were posted or temporarily delegated. This document ensures that social contributions and accrued rights are managed properly.

Taxation of Income: In cases where the posting in the host country lasts for less than 6 months, workers can benefit from an important facility: they are exempt from paying income tax in that country. This contributes to maintaining financial benefits for workers during short postings.

Residence Registration: In cases where the posting exceeds 3 months, it is necessary to register the worker’s residence with the competent authorities in the host country. This is important to ensure compliance with local regulations and facilitate integration into the new community.

The A1 Form in the Context of Transnational Secondment

Within the complex process of transnational secondment, it plays a crucial role in ensuring compliance with social regulations and protecting the rights of workers. This document, issued by the National House of Public Pensions in Romania, serves as evidence that the worker is socially insured in their home country, despite the temporary posting to another country.

This form holds significant importance for both employees and employers. On one hand, it ensures that the posted worker retains the benefits of social insurance from their home country, thereby contributing to the protection of their rights during the period of work abroad. On the other hand, employers can use this document to demonstrate to the authorities of the host country that the worker is already insured and paying social contributions in their home country, thus avoiding double taxation and eliminating additional registration obligations in the host country.

The A1 Form brings clarity and transparency to the process of transnational posting, facilitating compliance with social legislation and avoiding misunderstandings or potential undesirable consequences. In the absence of this document, workers could be subject to repeated registrations in the social insurance systems of different countries, which could lead to administrative complexities and additional costs for both employees and employers.

Therefore, in an ever-changing world, understanding and applying the rules regarding the coordination of social insurance systems are vital to ensuring the rights of international workers are respected and to maintaining a working environment in compliance with regulations. The A1 Form thus becomes an essential tool for employers and workers, providing protection and transparency in the context of postings and professional relocations. By correctly following the rules and adhering to the provisions, we contribute to the development of a fair and prosperous international labor market, benefiting from both global opportunities and compliance with national and international laws.