Posting employees abroad: Everything you need to know about the A1 certificate for employers

1. what is the A1 certificate and why is it important?

The A1 certificate is an official document that proves that an employee working temporarily in another EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland remains covered by social security in their home country. It serves to avoid double insurance and problems with social security contributions.

Example: A German company sends a technician to France for three months to install a machine for a customer. With the A1 certificate, the technician remains covered by social insurance in Germany and does not have to register with the French system.

2. who needs an A1 certificate?

Every employee or self-employed person who is temporarily posted abroad requires an A1 certificate. This applies regardless of the duration of the stay or the type of work.

Example:

• An employee travels to Austria for a two-day business meeting.
• A construction worker is sent to a building site in Italy for six months.
• An IT consultant works on a project in Spain for three weeks.

3. how do employers apply for an A1 certificate?

Employers must apply for the A1 certificate electronically via the SV-Meldeportal or other certified software. The certificate is issued by the health insurance fund or the German Pension Insurance.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Registration with the SV registration portal or corresponding software.
2. Select the employee and enter the relevant data (e.g. travel duration, country of assignment, type of activity).
3. Send off the application and wait for approval (processing time usually a few days).
4. Give the approved A1 certificate to the employee.

4 What happens if there is no A1 certificate?

Without an A1 certificate, problems may arise during inspections by foreign authorities. In some countries, employees may face high fines or even be banned from working.

Example: A German sales employee travels to a customer in France at short notice, is checked there and does not have an A1 certificate with him. The company has to pay a fine and the employee is not allowed to continue working.

5. special cases and frequently asked questions

a) What applies to business trips without active work?
An A1 certificate is also required for business trips that only involve meetings or conferences.

b) What happens in the case of short-term assignments?
The A1 certificate is also mandatory for very short stays. Employers should apply for it in good time.

c) Are there any exceptions?
In some cases, there may be agreements between countries that allow exceptions. A detailed check by the employer is necessary.