Cross-border social security rules

It is for anyone thinking about, planning or carrying out a move to Spain. That includes employees, people sent by a foreign employer, remote workers and people who live in Spain but work in Gibraltar or Andorra. Rules depend on where you come from: the EU, the UK, the US, Latin America, or a country with no agreement with Spain. Each of these has its own page.

Start with "How EU, EEA and Swiss social security coordination works for you". It explains the basic idea of one country's system applying to you at a time, and how periods add up. For the full sequence of a move, from before you leave to after you arrive, read "Social security cover through your move: the whole picture".

Claiming foreign pensions, remote work visas and pension tax are covered elsewhere.

Key rules

• Spanish registration: Your employer must register you in Spanish social security no later than the day work begins, and at most 60 days before it starts.
• Posting length: A posting from an EU, EEA or Swiss state keeps you in your home system for up to 24 months, with an A1 certificate.
• Telework threshold: If you live in Spain and telework for an employer in another EU state for under 50% of your time, you can stay in the employer's state if the telework framework agreement is applied for with an A1.
• One system: Only one country's social security should cover you at a time, so a stay needs either valid proof from home or a Spanish registration.
• A1 source: Your home country's social security institution issues the A1, never Spain.

Cross-border social security rules: the whole process, step by step

• Find out which country's system covers you, starting with the overview and the EU, EEA and Swiss coordination article: before you start planning the move

• Check whether your home country's years count in Spain, or whether an agreement exists with your country: before you move

• If you are sent by your employer, have the employer ask your home institution for the A1 certificate: before the posting starts; it can take days to several weeks

• Get your home record and certificates in order: before you leave your home country

• Have the employer register you in Spanish social security, or register yourself if you are self-employed: at most 60 days before work starts and no later than the day work begins

• If you work remotely for a foreign employer, apply for the telework agreement A1 if you telework under 50% of your time: before you start remote work from Spain

• If your posting needs to run past 24 months, ask the sending institution to request an exception: before the 24 months end

• If you lose your job after working in another EU state, ask for Spanish paro with the U1 certificate of your foreign periods: when you become unemployed

• If you leave Spain to look for work in the EU, get the U2 document from the Spanish employment office SEPE: before you leave, after at least four weeks registered as a jobseeker; register in the new state within seven days

Documents you may need

Identity and residence

• Your ID and residence details — How EU, EEA and Swiss social security coordination works for you

Income and work

• Proof of insurance periods for pension aggregation — Do your home country's social security years count in Spain?
• Records from any private or employer pension scheme you paid into — Do your home country's social security years count in Spain?, What to do with your home social security record before you move
• Spanish employment contract from your employer of record — Working remotely for a foreign employer: where you owe social security

Other documents

• A1 certificate
• U1 document
• Statement of your contribution history — Do your home country's social security years count in Spain?, What to do with your home social security record before you move
• Proof of your contribution periods — What to do with your home social security record before you move
• Translated copies of these records — What to do with your home social security record before you move

Cross-border social security rules: questions that cross several articles

Do my foreign years count for a Spanish pension?

Yes, if your years are in an EU, EEA or Swiss state, or in a country with an agreement that allows adding periods. Each country then pays its own share. Without either, only Spanish years count. Read the articles on whether your home years count in Spain and on agreements with Spain.

Does an agreement with Spain cover unemployment and sick pay?

Usually no, agreements with Spain mainly cover pensions and work accident benefits, and often leave out unemployment and sick pay. The Ibero-American convention also leaves out health care. Read the articles on checking for an agreement and on the Ibero-American convention.

Can I stay in my home system when sent to Spain?

Yes, if you are posted by your employer and keep a direct job with it, with an A1 certificate for up to 24 months. The home institution issues the A1, usually at the employer's request. Read the article on being sent to Spain by a foreign employer.

Which country do I pay into if I work remotely from Spain for a foreign employer?

You normally pay in Spain, unless you telework under 50% of your time and the telework agreement is applied for with an A1. Working at least 25% in Spain among several states also points to Spain. Read the article on working remotely for a foreign employer.

Will I pay twice if no agreement applies?

Possibly, because Spain requires contributions for any work done there, and your home country may also charge on the same work. This is most likely with an employer-led posting. Read the article on avoiding double payments when no agreement exists.