EU Updates Mobile Workers’ Rights

In a significant move on April 22, 2026, the European Parliament and the Council reached a provisional agreement to modernize the coordination of national social security systems for EU mobile workers. This agreement aims to enhance labor mobility within the European Union while ensuring the protection of social rights for workers in cross-border situations.

The new rules will prioritize fair access to social benefits and provide clearer guidelines on unemployment, family, and long-term care benefits. Additionally, the agreement includes measures to improve cooperation between EU countries to ensure access to social security benefits and combat fraud, specifically targeting letterbox companies.

Rapporteur Gabriele Bischoff expressed optimism about the reforms, stating, “Today is a good day for millions of mobile workers. This reform, nearly a decade in the making, will provide clearer and more predictable rules, strengthening the cooperation between Member States to better prevent abuse and address social dumping.” The next steps involve formal adoption by both the Parliament and the Council before the rules can be implemented.

The agreement also facilitates better electronic cooperation through the Electronic Exchange of Social Security Information (EESSI), allowing employers to access information and complete necessary documents online. This modernization is a crucial step towards ensuring that the fundamental right to free movement of workers is accompanied by fair and enforceable social security rules.