Green party

European Parliament votes in support of Social Security agreement

08 July 2008

The European Parliament today voted almost unanimously in favour of a newreport supporting individuals who wish to exercise their right to freemovement within the EU.

The report from Jean Lambert, the Green Party MEP for London, concerns thecoordination of social security systems between Member States for peopleliving or working in another Member State, or travelling there. It extendsthe scope of coordination to all persons covered by social security systems,not just workers and their families.

The report sets out rules as to how each Member State will deal with thevarious dimensions of social security in respect to cross-border issues andthe systems for payments, reimbursements and the settlement ofdisagreements.

The new regulation will also develop and encourage the exchange ofelectronic data, with a view to providing greater speed and accuracy ofcommunication and should help to reduce the level of fraud, for example, themanipulation of the reimbursement system for cross-border healthcare.

Jean Lambert MEP, Rapporteur on the report and Co-President of theEmployment and Social Affairs Committee, said:

"I am pleased the Parliament has supported this report, which is essentialfor facilitating the free movement of citizens within the European Union andthe use of the social security systems that exist. This report will not harmonise social security provisions in Member States, as each country decides on its own system, but it will enable the coordination of provisionof pensions, benefits and healthcare.

"There are still some details to be finalised in Council prior to the secondreading next year, but today's vote has set us on the right path toachieving a more coherent social security system, which will be of benefitto all EU citizens."