The European Union is closer to concluding one of the largest reviews in recent years of the rules for coordinating national social security systems. The European Parliament approved the text at first reading on 7 July 2026, with 511 votes in favour, 87 against and 61 abstentions. The review results from a provisional agreement reached between Parliament and the Council on 22 April, but formal adoption by the Council of the European Union is still required for the regulation to enter into force.
Among the main changes is the extension of the unemployment benefit export period from three to six months for those seeking work in another Member State. For cross-border workers, the 22-week rule has been introduced: when the worker completes at least 22 consecutive weeks of employment in the country of last activity, that country becomes responsible for payment for six months, after which the State of residence may assume the benefit if conditions are met.
The review also clarifies access for economically inactive citizens who move to another Member State, integrating case law from the Court of Justice. Family benefits are also differentiated between income replacement benefits and those covering general household expenses. For the first time, long-term care now has an express European definition, covering cash or in-kind benefits for people who need prolonged assistance with daily activities.
Regarding posted workers, prior notification to the authorities of the competent country becomes mandatory, with exceptions for business trips and activities lasting up to three days. The regulation does not enter all rules into force immediately: many of the central changes will only be applied 24 months after publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. The review does not create a single European social security system, but only coordination rules to determine which country is responsible and how the rights of those who work or live in several Member States are maintained.
