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Why Buy an A1 Certificate?

Many business travelers aren't aware of the importance of A1 certificates. Inexperience can lead to grave consequences.

Often, companies located in EU member states will often assign their employees to work on the territory of another EU state. These assignments are governed by EU social security laws.

What is an A1 Certificate?

An A1 certificate is a form that proves an individual's participation in their country's social insurance system while working abroad for a short time. This document can help avoid having to pay mandatory contributions in several countries simultaneously. For instance, if are employed in Romania for a temporary period, an A1 certificate will confirm that your work is covered by the UK National Insurance scheme. This will help you avoid having to pay for the Romanian scheme as well as the UK scheme simultaneously.

Generally, generally, an A1 certificate is valid for a period of up to 24 months. However, it's common for project timelines to change and assignments to extend beyond the limit. In this instance it's crucial to apply for an extension of your certificate before the expiration date of the current certificate.

A1 certificates are essential for business travel and workations within the EU as well as the EEA and Switzerland. They aren't required for all travel, but they can help to simplify administrative procedures and reduce compliance risks. Furthermore, the certificate can be used as evidence in the case of a dispute or claim.

The process for obtaining an A1 certificate is different from country to country, therefore it is recommended to begin the application in advance of any planned trip. Employers typically submit an A1 certificate on behalf of their employees. Self-employed individuals must be prepared to submit the application on their own.

Once the application is submitted and approved, it could take up to six months before receiving the A1 certification. During this time, workers may need to provide their host country's social security office with additional documentation to verify their eligibility.

It is essential to be aware of requirements before you travel. Many people work and travel across Europe without an A1 certificate. For instance, some countries have stepped up controls on social security fraud and will not allow work without an A1 certificate. Furthermore, some companies might refuse to let workers access premises or websites without an A1 certificate.

How do I get an A1 Certificate

A1 certificates are required for employees, civil servants and self-employed persons who pursue activities in the social security systems of two or more EU countries. The certificate confirms the person's coverage in their home country and stops the person from paying double contributions. It also prevents wage and social dumped in cross-border assignments.

The process for applying for a visa varies from country to country but typically involves identifying the competent authority by filling out a complete form, and awaiting approval. Typically, the responsible institution is the health insurance provider for the employee or pension insurance provider. In Germany, for instance, it may take several days to receive an A1. Employees should apply for an A1 as soon as possible before their trip abroad. It is also advisable to print the form out and carry it with you while you are abroad, as local authorities may ask for it during inspections.

While A1 certificates are not an alternative to travel visas or work permits However, they are an essential aspect of ensuring that your employees are in compliance with labor laws in foreign countries. Employers who send employees frequently on business trips or workations need to ensure that they have A1 certificates. This will help avoid fines and legal issues for both the employees and the company.

In recent years, it has been observed that more European countries are expecting (and willing to enforce) that workers posted abroad have their A1 certificates with them when they visit for a short or a long time. goethe zertifikat is a result of the increased sharing of information between national social security and labour authorities and the growing enforcement of cross-border social security compliance.

It is not yet certain what the requirements for A1 certificates will change. Employers should be aware of any changes and ensure that their employees comply. To reduce the chance of fines and other legal pitfalls, consider working with an Employer of Record (EOR) like RemoFirst which takes the legal responsibility of hiring and managing your employees worldwide. Book a demo to learn how RemoFirst can make your global expansion easy and legal.

What is the purpose behind an A1 Certificate?

A1 certificates are a key instrument for employees and employers alike when they are involved in international business travel. They help ensure that employees stay within their social insurance system when working abroad, which can prevent double contributions and other costly mistakes. However, the process of obtaining an A1 certificate is lengthy and laborious, especially for businesses that regularly send employees to work across Europe. This is because of changes in regulations, the need for additional documentation, and the different procedures across different countries.

There are methods to speed up this process, particularly if you use Localyze. This tool provides an easy-to-use dashboard for managing A1 certificates and other documents for employees who travel internationally. This tool can cut down the processing time of A1 Certificates both for the HR and employee to less than a minute, since the platform takes care of the work for both parties.

A1 forms are used to determine a person's rights in relation to social security while they are working temporarily in another European country. The A1 certificate shows which social security system applies to them and stops them from having to pay into more than one system at the same time. It is a vital tool for both employers and employees who often send workers on work trips across Europe.


The A1 certificate is valid in all EU countries, as well as the EFTA (Norway Liechtenstein and Iceland) and Switzerland. There are limitations on the activities that the certificate can cover and the time frame of the certificate. For instance the A1 certificate is not valid to cover work in a non-EEA country where social security arrangements are not covered by an agreement between the country and the EEA.

A1 certifications are also required for self-employed people who work in more than one country, as the A1 form allows them to prove that they do not need to make social security payments in a foreign country where they do not have residency. This is an important consideration for freelancers who work with clients all over the world and may need to travel to multiple locations to complete their tasks.

How to Buy an A1 Certificate

Anyone who travels abroad for business is required to have the A1 certificate. This applies to both self-employed and employed persons. It is mandatory to carry the A1 certificate with you when you travel to any other EU member state or to Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, Switzerland, or the UK. The A1 certificate is required for every business trip in Europe, whether it's a luncheon meeting in Paris or attending a trade show or a technical seminar. Moreover it is the A1 certificate is required in the event of a workation in the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark or Germany.

The certificate enables you to prove that you are insured in your home country, and therefore work legally abroad without a work permit. It also reveals the social security system you need to pay into and prevents double taxation. In addition the A1 certificate is an important document when it comes to health insurance.

Many companies ensure that their employees possess the A1 certificate. This ensures that both employees and employers from legal risks. We are aware of the fact that many people regularly cross borders between Europe and the United States without having an A1 certificate. We know of companies who have refused workers access to their websites if they do not have an A1 certification.

You can apply online for an A1 Certificate if you are a Dutch compulsorily insured or voluntary insured individual. After registering you will receive an e-mail including your CaseID that you can use to verify the status of your application. You can also download the A1 certificate and cover letter from our eService once your request has been approved.

In the rest of Europe you can get an A1 certificate from your social security institution. In the Netherlands the Dutch Social Insurance Bank is responsible for this. The SVB will notify you via email when your A1 certification and cover letter are ready to download. You can also review the status of your application and download a list of documents that includes all applications that were approved or rejected.

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