Important Updates
Important Updates
May 22, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
May 23, 2025 | Ireland, United Kingdom, BelgiumClassical Music: The Immigration Hurdles Facing UK Orchestras in Europe
May 23, 2025 | United States, FranceFragomen Recognized at FACC Midwest Chicago Business Awards
May 23, 2025 | United KingdomNorthern Engineer: The UK Immigration White Paper – What it Means for the Engineering Sector in the North of England
May 22, 2025 | United KingdomConstruction Management: Immigration White Paper: What it Means for UK Construction
May 22, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
May 23, 2025 | Ireland, United Kingdom, BelgiumClassical Music: The Immigration Hurdles Facing UK Orchestras in Europe
May 23, 2025 | United States, FranceFragomen Recognized at FACC Midwest Chicago Business Awards
May 23, 2025 | United KingdomNorthern Engineer: The UK Immigration White Paper – What it Means for the Engineering Sector in the North of England
May 22, 2025 | United KingdomConstruction Management: Immigration White Paper: What it Means for UK Construction
May 22, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcastsVideos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapFragomen Consulting EuropeAustralian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Fragomen Consulting Europe
  • Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
  • Insights

Social Security post-Brexit in the UK and EU

July 25, 2018

brexit flags

Country / Territory

  • United KingdomUnited Kingdom

Related contacts

siobhan_owers

Siobhan Owers

Partner

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 20 7090 9132

Related offices

  • Brussels (Benelux)
  • Frankfurt
  • London
  • Sheffield

Related content

  • Fragomen Consulting Europe

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

siobhan_owers

Siobhan Owers

Partner

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 20 7090 9132

Related offices

  • Brussels (Benelux)
  • Frankfurt
  • London
  • Sheffield

Related content

  • Fragomen Consulting Europe

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

siobhan_owers

Siobhan Owers

Partner

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 20 7090 9132

Related offices

  • Brussels (Benelux)
  • Frankfurt
  • London
  • Sheffield

Related content

  • Fragomen Consulting Europe

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

By: Siobhan Owers, Iskra Nikolic Uskokovic

Social security is likely to be one of the key areas affected by Brexit for employers with internationally mobile employees working between the UK and other EU countries.

Currently, when an EU national is posted to work in another member state on a temporary assignment, they can apply to continue paying into their home country’s social security system. This is often seen as the preferred option in terms of administrative ease and cost. However, following Brexit, the future legitimacy of this arrangement is open to doubt. Indeed, unless measures are introduced to extend these arrangements, posted workers and their employers may face payroll withholding challenges or fragmented contributions records. They may also become embroiled in disputes between countries as to where the social security lies or be subject to a liability in multiple countries for which there is no relief for a double social security liability. The focus on ensuring that sufficient consideration is given to these issues, and that suitable policies are put in place to manage this going forward, is key to risk management.

Key Points

The UK government believes it would be desirable to maintain some aspects of continued mobility between the UK and the EU with reciprocal arrangements in a new framework. This would support the close links between people and economies so that they continue after the UK leaves the EU. The UK’s future immigration rules would incorporate any mobility provisions agreed with the EU, in the same way they currently do in respect of the UK international agreements with other trading partners. This framework would represent what the UK agrees reciprocally, allowing the UK and the EU to set their own rules in all areas (be that in relation to immigration, social security, healthcare or related matters) where no commitments are taken.

The UK government’s White Paper refers to wider mobility areas, such as the future rules around social security coordination and where the UK would seek a reciprocal system for UK and EU nationals who are able to live, work or retire in the EU or the UK in the future. This could cover:

1. Arrangements relating to the uprating of state pensions, including export rules and accompanying aggregation principles for people who have contributed into multiple countries’ systems

2. A set of rules to determine how workers pay social security contributions to ensure that individuals only pay contributions to one state at a time

3. Reciprocal healthcare access for state pensioners retiring to the EU or the UK, continued participation in the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) scheme for people currently staying in the UK or EU and cooperation on planned treatment

The payment of certain limited benefits or social security will be subject to the upcoming negotiation.

Considerations

The UK government’s White Paper leaves areas of uncertainty for those with work patterns subject to frequent change and for those who become mobile only after Brexit, for whom no access to the European regulations is currently envisaged, but where the shape of any future social security coordination regime is unknown.

For more information reach Siobhan Owers at [email protected] and Iskra Nikolic Uskokovic at [email protected].

Country / Territory

  • United KingdomUnited Kingdom

Related contacts

siobhan_owers

Siobhan Owers

Partner

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 20 7090 9132

Related offices

  • Brussels (Benelux)
  • Frankfurt
  • London
  • Sheffield

Related content

  • Fragomen Consulting Europe

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

siobhan_owers

Siobhan Owers

Partner

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 20 7090 9132

Related offices

  • Brussels (Benelux)
  • Frankfurt
  • London
  • Sheffield

Related content

  • Fragomen Consulting Europe

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

siobhan_owers

Siobhan Owers

Partner

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 20 7090 9132

Related offices

  • Brussels (Benelux)
  • Frankfurt
  • London
  • Sheffield

Related content

  • Fragomen Consulting Europe

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Classical Music: The Immigration Hurdles Facing UK Orchestras in Europe

Senior Immigration Programme Manager Louise Collins, Senior Manager Sean Rhodes and Manager Andreia Ghimis explore the touring challenges UK orchestras face in Europe and discuss ways to ease mobility barriers.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Recognized at FACC Midwest Chicago Business Awards

Fragomen was recognized at the FACC Midwest Chicago Business Awards for "Best Business Development: US Company Expanding in France."

Learn more

Media mentions

Northern Engineer: The UK Immigration White Paper – What it Means for the Engineering Sector in the North of England

Practice Leader Kathleen O'Donnell, Manager Kirsty Moore and Immigration Paralegal Sean Pearce outline how the latest UK immigration white paper could affect engineering recruitment for employers in the North of England.

Learn more

Video

Passports & Pitch Side: Footballers on the Move ⚽ Ep. 8 (Part 2) | #FragomenFC

#FragomenFC co-hosts Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Manager Sergio Flores and Associate Jake Paul Minster are joined by Senior Associate Tuğba Özyakup—and an avid football fan—and Ismaïl Aissati—former professional footballer.

Learn more

Blog post

The UK’s Net Migration Drop Demands a Considered but Speedy Response

UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit discusses the UK's recent drop in net migration and emphasises the need for a considered yet swift response to address the economic and social impacts.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Immigration White Paper: What it Means for UK Construction

Manager Kirsty Moore and Trainee Solicitor Christina Azntaridou discuss the UK government's immigration white paper's potential impact on construction hiring.

Learn more

Media mentions

LBC: Youth Mobility is a Good Start - But Britain’s Immigration System Still Needs a Business Reset

UK Managing Partner Nadine Goldfoot reflects on how the UK’s immigration system might adapt to better support business and short-term mobility.

Learn more

Awards

Negocios Now Names Associate Ana Gabriela Urizar to NYC-TriState Latinos 40 Under 40 Class of 2025

Negocios Now names Associate Ana Gabriela Urizar to its NYC-TriState Latinos 40 Under 40 Class of 2025 list.

Learn more

Video

Digital Nomad Visas Explained: How to Travel and Work Remotely

Learn the key requirements for digital nomad visas and find out which countries you can apply to as a remote worker or freelancer. 

Learn more

Media mentions

Financial Times Adviser: Relocating to the UK: An Immigration Lawyer’s Guide for US clients

Practice Leader Olga Nechita provides practical guidance on navigating UK immigration routes, settlement options and key considerations for applicants.

Learn more

Video

New DOLE Rules for Employing Foreign Nationals | #MobilityMinute

Senior Business Immigration Consultant Missy Mae Makil discusses the new DOLE rules for employing foreign nationals in the Philippines.

Learn more

Media mentions

Research Professional News: Immigration White Paper Offers Employers Costs without Clarity

UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit examines how the UK’s new Immigration White Paper could affect talent mobility and growth in the life sciences sector.

Learn more

Media mentions

Classical Music: The Immigration Hurdles Facing UK Orchestras in Europe

Senior Immigration Programme Manager Louise Collins, Senior Manager Sean Rhodes and Manager Andreia Ghimis explore the touring challenges UK orchestras face in Europe and discuss ways to ease mobility barriers.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Recognized at FACC Midwest Chicago Business Awards

Fragomen was recognized at the FACC Midwest Chicago Business Awards for "Best Business Development: US Company Expanding in France."

Learn more

Media mentions

Northern Engineer: The UK Immigration White Paper – What it Means for the Engineering Sector in the North of England

Practice Leader Kathleen O'Donnell, Manager Kirsty Moore and Immigration Paralegal Sean Pearce outline how the latest UK immigration white paper could affect engineering recruitment for employers in the North of England.

Learn more

Video

Passports & Pitch Side: Footballers on the Move ⚽ Ep. 8 (Part 2) | #FragomenFC

#FragomenFC co-hosts Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Manager Sergio Flores and Associate Jake Paul Minster are joined by Senior Associate Tuğba Özyakup—and an avid football fan—and Ismaïl Aissati—former professional footballer.

Learn more

Blog post

The UK’s Net Migration Drop Demands a Considered but Speedy Response

UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit discusses the UK's recent drop in net migration and emphasises the need for a considered yet swift response to address the economic and social impacts.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Immigration White Paper: What it Means for UK Construction

Manager Kirsty Moore and Trainee Solicitor Christina Azntaridou discuss the UK government's immigration white paper's potential impact on construction hiring.

Learn more

Media mentions

LBC: Youth Mobility is a Good Start - But Britain’s Immigration System Still Needs a Business Reset

UK Managing Partner Nadine Goldfoot reflects on how the UK’s immigration system might adapt to better support business and short-term mobility.

Learn more

Awards

Negocios Now Names Associate Ana Gabriela Urizar to NYC-TriState Latinos 40 Under 40 Class of 2025

Negocios Now names Associate Ana Gabriela Urizar to its NYC-TriState Latinos 40 Under 40 Class of 2025 list.

Learn more

Video

Digital Nomad Visas Explained: How to Travel and Work Remotely

Learn the key requirements for digital nomad visas and find out which countries you can apply to as a remote worker or freelancer. 

Learn more

Media mentions

Financial Times Adviser: Relocating to the UK: An Immigration Lawyer’s Guide for US clients

Practice Leader Olga Nechita provides practical guidance on navigating UK immigration routes, settlement options and key considerations for applicants.

Learn more

Video

New DOLE Rules for Employing Foreign Nationals | #MobilityMinute

Senior Business Immigration Consultant Missy Mae Makil discusses the new DOLE rules for employing foreign nationals in the Philippines.

Learn more

Media mentions

Research Professional News: Immigration White Paper Offers Employers Costs without Clarity

UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit examines how the UK’s new Immigration White Paper could affect talent mobility and growth in the life sciences sector.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.