Where to Buy an A1 Certificate
The certificate A1 is the basis for the social security system in place to anyone who is a secondee to work in a different Member State. This is an extremely important document, and failing to adhere to the rules could be a serious issue.
A Belgian inspection launched criminal proceedings against a Slovak company that had posted workers without the A1 certificates required. A1 certificates are binding on the courts and institutions of the other Member States.
What is the A1 Certificate?

The A1 certificate is a vital document for business travelers who travel throughout Europe. This document is essential for employees who travel between countries.
This form lists the employee's host country, their home country (where they're legally registered and pay taxes) and their health insurance provider. By defining this information the A1 certificate allows workers to avoid paying for premiums in multiple countries and ensures that they're compliant with local rules.
It's normal for employers to obtain this form on behalf of their employees from their current country's social contribution and health care authorities. Each individual country has their own template, so it's important to know which one you have to apply for.
Geothe Zertifikat 4 All is usually required when an employee is assigned to another European country for a short-to medium-term basis. It is also useful for business travelers traveling between EU and EFTA countries, Switzerland, and Denmark.
This is not an immigration or work permit however it is a crucial document for many employees prior to their travel to another country. Because each European country has its own social security system, workers need to ensure that their contributions are sent to the right place, A1 certificates can verify this.
It is essential that companies get their documents to ensure that their employees are in fact working and traveling legally. This is important as some countries have started to impose penalties on those who do not possess A1 certificates.
To be eligible to apply for an A1 You must be authorized in TWinternet and arrange this with your eHerkenning supplier. You can also update and access your authorisations via TWinternet's self-service tool. Regardless of which method you use to obtain your A1 is recommended to stay up-to-date on any changes that could occur to ensure you're in compliance with the rules and regulations of the country you're visiting.
How to Get an A1 Certificate
It can be intimidating to get an A1 certification, especially in the case of companies that have employees in different countries across Europe. Each country has its own rules and processes to obtain the certificate, making it difficult to manage it from an individual location. Localyze provides a central dashboard to manage the application process and the status of each employee. On the official EU website, you will find a complete list of the contact information for A1 certificate offices in every European country.
A1 certificates are vital for business travel within the EU, EEA, and Switzerland. Despite being required for many types of work overseas however, not all employers are aware that they need to obtain these certificates. Inspections by social security and labour officials can catch non-compliant workers off guard, especially if their trip is short.
The A1 certificate is a form which proves that the individual is liable for taxes and social contributions in their home country. It's typically valid for a maximum period of two years. It lists both the home country as well as the host country. It's important to get this document as it will ensure that people aren't contributing to more than one system and will avoid fines and penalties for non-compliance.
This is also beneficial for employers who want to ensure that their employees pay into the correct system on business trips or at work. This can help avoid situations where an employee contributes to more than one system and could result in expensive back payments and even tax fraud.
When you're travelling to study abroad, for work, or simply visiting relatives in a different part of the world, obtaining an A1 certification is crucial. It's a great way to prove that you are compliant with local laws. It's a good idea if you are employed in the EU or any other countries that are part of the EFTA.
If you're unsure if you need an A1 certificate or require assistance with the process, feel free to reach out to our team. We will guide you through the process and make sure that you're aware of the requirements for each country so you're able to remain in compliance throughout your travels.
How Long Does It Take to Receive an A1 Certificate?
Depending on the country of origin it could take between 15 and 45 days for a person to receive their A1 certification. It is therefore crucial to begin the process early and prepare for the process ahead of time. This will help avoid any delays or confusion and will also ensure that the employee's entire assignment abroad is protected.
The length of an assignment abroad determines whether an A1 certificate is required. However, other aspects could also affect the procedure. If an individual has dual residency in the UK as well as another EU or EEA member state and is required to have an A1 certificate to prove that they don't have to pay social security payments to both countries. A1 certificates are essential for this individual to avoid double payments or other issues with compliance.
To prevent this, employees with dual residence should apply for an A1 certification as soon as they begin working in another country. It is also essential for employees to keep a consistent documentation of their time in the UK including travel logs and schedules of work. This can prevent potential problems if local authorities question the authenticity of their A1 certification.
Employers who send their workers frequently abroad can minimize unnecessary risks by establishing clear procedures and processes for A1 certificates. Moreover, businesses should stay up-to-date with any changes to A1 requirements due to the UK's decision to withdraw from the European Union or other changes in regulations.
A1 certificates are a crucial tool for UK businesses and their employees who are working abroad. By knowing the procedure, avoiding common mistakes, and leveraging technology employers can streamline A1 application procedures to improve efficiency and decrease compliance risks. For more information, refer to our A1 Certificate Cheat Sheet for additional information, tips for common issues, and solutions.
What can I do with an A1 certificate?
The A1 certificate can be an invaluable tool for employees who are traveling to another European country on business. The A1 certificate confirms that the employee is covered by their home country's social security system while working temporarily in another country. This prevents double contributions and possible loss of benefits. It is important to note that each EU country has its own process for getting an A1 Certificate. The steps may differ depending on where the employee lives. For example, Finnish citizens must contact the Centre for Pensions, while residents of the Netherlands must contact SVB International Secondment to obtain their A1 Certificate.
In many cases, workers will need to be issued an A1 Certificate prior to travelling to another country for work. This is because the country to which they will be working will require they have a valid A1 Certificate that proves they are contributing to the system of their home country while working in another country. Additionally, certain countries will also check whether employees have an A1 Certificate when they cross the border for work-related purposes. This is to combat wage-dumping, which occurs when companies transfer their employees from one country to another without paying for their social security payments.
The foreign authorities can fine an employee for failing to provide an valid A1 Certificate. In addition should an employer be found to be in violation of social security laws and regulations, they could be liable for substantial fines. It is therefore essential that both employees and employers have an A1 certificate before traveling to another European country for work-related reasons.
The process of getting an A1 Certificate can be lengthy and complicated, especially for companies with many employees who travel frequently for business. Many companies utilize Localyze, a service that lets them manage all of their employees' A1 Certificate statuses and applications from one place.
As the European economy continues to grow, more and workers are likely to travel across Europe for work. A1 Certificates are thus becoming more important to businesses. You should begin applying when you become aware that your employees might be traveling abroad for business. This will help ensure that your employees don't get delayed while crossing the border. Some countries may require the A1 Certificate either at the border or at the destination.