Living and working abroad

Who it is for

The pension, social and welfare rights of people who live and work abroad are governed by European regulations for EU countries, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, and by the international social security agreements Italy has signed with other countries.

The European regulations apply to:

• citizens of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland and their family members, insured in one of these countries;
• stateless persons and refugees with their family members living in these countries;
• citizens of non-EU countries and their family members who are legally resident in an EU country and have a contribution record in at least two States (excluding Denmark).

The regulations apply to public and private-sector workers; the agreements, on the other hand, concern the citizens of the contracting States, excluding public-sector workers.

How it works

• the requirements and features of benefits (sickness, accidents, maternity, pensions) are set by each country’s rules;
• the State that receives a foreign worker must guarantee them the same social protection as its own citizens;
• as a rule, the law of the country where you work applies, even if you live elsewhere (with special rules for cross-border and posted workers);
• when claiming a benefit, periods of insurance, work or residence completed in other EU or agreement countries are taken into account;
• social security benefits, such as the old-age pension or unemployment benefit, can be received in the country of residence, except for some non-exportable benefits.

Registration with Italian social security bodies

Italian workers working abroad for Italian companies in non-EU countries without social security agreements must register with Italian social security and insurance bodies for:

• invalidity, old age and survivors;
• tuberculosis;
• unemployment;
• accidents at work and occupational diseases;
• sickness;
• maternity.

European health insurance card and health care abroad

The European Health Insurance Card (TEAM/EHIC) is on the back of the Italian health card and lets you receive necessary health care, on the same terms as local citizens, when you are temporarily in a European Union country, the European Economic Area or Switzerland. Students registered with AIRE and family members of workers living in a country other than the worker’s are also entitled to the card.

In case of theft, loss or urgent departure, you can obtain a temporary replacement certificate from the ASL (local health authority). In countries without an agreement, health care must be paid for: private health insurance is therefore advisable. People returning to Italy from abroad have specific rules for registering with the National Health Service.

For more information and assistance, contact your nearest CCL office.