Member States’ approaches to bilateral social security agreements

Abstract

Bilateral social security agreements are the oldest instruments which provide social security entitlements to persons moving between the countries. EU Member States’ approaches to distinctive bilateral agreements with Non-EU States are analysed herein. Bilateral social security agreements are not only the oldest coordination instruments, but remain the most important ones linking social security systems of MS and Non-EU States. They are tailored to the social security systems of the two contracting states. Nevertheless, bilateral social security agreements might be neither comprehensive in their scope of application nor complete in covering all coordination principles. Moreover, they do not create a uniform coordination system. Under the modified migration patterns - i.e. movements for shorter period of time and between many countries - a more comprehensive social security coordination mechanism might be required.