EU adopts reform of the A1 certificate for business travel
The European Union has formally adopted the reform of the A1 certificate. The aim is to reduce the administrative burden associated with cross-border business travel and facilitate short-term professional stays within Europe. Following approval by the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, the legislative process has now been completed.
Until now, an A1 certificate had to be obtained for many business trips to other European countries — even for one-day meetings, conferences or training sessions. The certificate documents which social security system applies to a person temporarily working in another country.
New definition of traditional business travel
A key element of the reform is a more harmonised definition of business travel. This covers time-limited activities carried out in the interest of a business, where neither goods are delivered nor services are provided.
Typical examples include attending meetings, conferences, seminars or training sessions. In future, no prior A1 certificate should be required for such trips, removing an administrative step for certain types of business travel.
Not all business trips abroad are exempt
The new rules do not apply to all business trips without exception. If services are provided abroad, technical work is carried out or goods are delivered, for example, an A1 certificate may still be required.
The specific activity carried out during the stay abroad will therefore be particularly important. For customer visits, consultancy services or project work, determining whether an A1 certificate is required may be more complex, especially when a trip involves several different activities.
The reform also provides an exemption for certain short-term professional activities that do not fall under the definition of traditional business travel. This applies to activities lasting no more than three consecutive working days within a 30-day period. Stricter restrictions apply to the construction sector.
Entry into force still pending
Despite the completion of the legislative process, the new provisions will not apply immediately. The regulation must first be published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Until the new rules become applicable, the existing requirements for A1 certificates will remain in force.
The reform therefore provides relief for certain types of business travel, but it does not generally eliminate the need to assess social security requirements for cross-border professional activities.
