Updated EU rules coordinating national social security systems entered into force on 1 November 2026, but the main changes for mobile workers — unemployment, postings, family benefits — apply from November 2028. National contribution and benefit systems stay as they are; the reform clarifies who pays, and under what conditions, when people cross borders.

For jobseekers who move to look for work in another member state, the general rule will allow retaining unemployment benefits for six months, up from three today. Payment still depends on the remaining national entitlement and on registration with employment services: a shorter remaining right is not extended artificially.

Responsibility also shifts when someone lives in one country and last worked in another. The state of last activity will pay benefits if the person accrued at least 22 uninterrupted weeks of insurance or activity there; otherwise the state of residence may become competent under the regulation’s exceptions.

On postings, the 24-month limit for staying insured in the home country remains. People hired specifically to be sent abroad must have been affiliated to the employer’s social-security system for at least three months beforehand — not necessarily tenure at the same firm. After 24 months in the same host state (with breaks of at most two months), a pause of at least two months is required before another posting there, with possible derogations.

Employers will, in principle, have to notify in advance and request the A1 portable document. Business trips (meetings, conferences, training, without providing services) and very short assignments of at most three consecutive working days in a 30-day window are excepted — the latter exemption does not apply in construction. Some data-exchange measures between authorities already apply; the legislative text sets 2 November 2028 for the core of the reform.

Source: EU changes unemployment and posting rules between member states (PRESShub); confirmation: Updated EU rules on social security coordination enter into force (European Commission)