ITALY - TRANSFERABILITY OF SOCIAL SECURITY RIGHTS ACCRUED ABROAD

What happened when are you transferred for work to another EU/European Economic Area (EEA) country/Switzerland?
Let’s talk about it in the following article.

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We talk about what you need to know when you are transferred for work to another EU/European Economic Area (EEA) country/Switzerland/the UK*, exercising your right to the free movement of persons under EU Regulations.
In particular, the chapter explains the transferability of social security rights accrued working abroad and how contribution or insurance periods are taken into consideration for both enforcement of your right to social security benefits and the amount thereof.
IN WHAT SITUATION CAN YOU MAINTAIN ACCRUED SOCIAL SECURITY RIGHTS?
Suppose you go to work in an EU or EEA country, or Switzerland, or the UK, as a rule. In that case, you won't be registered with and insured by the Italian social security system, but rather the country’s legislation will apply.
Suppose you return to Italy after working and paying social security contributions in that country. In that case, the assistance you have produced may be considered for your entitlement to and calculation of social security benefits when you submit any claim.
WHAT CONDITIONS DO YOU NEED TO MEET?
 If, after a period working in an EU/EEA country, Switzerland or the UK, you return to work in Italy, the possibility of adding (in technical jargon, 'aggregation of contributions') contributions paid in that country applies to all social security benefits for which there is a contribution requirement:
 

• old-age pension;
  
• early old-age pension;
  
• survivors' pension;
  
• incapacity and disability benefit;
  
• unemployment benefit.
  

  WHAT ARE YOU ENTITLED TO, AND HOW CAN YU CLAIM?
 When you submit your claim for a social security benefit with a contribution requirement in Italy, you will be asked if you have ever worked in another EU or EEA country, Switzerland or the UK.
 Your claim must specify:
 

• which country you worked in;
  
• the name and address of your employer in that country;
  
• the periods you worked there for;
  
• the ID number with which you were registered with the relevant social security authority in the country where you worked.
  

 If, before leaving the country where you worked, you were registered with the Job Centre in that country as a jobseeker and you accrued the entitlement to unemployment benefit, you maintain the right to this benefit even after you return to Italy, up to a maximum of 3 months. To this end, you must have been registered with the Job Centre in the country where you worked for four weeks, but you can ask to be authorised even before this period. Moreover, you must send the competent INPS office the U2 form or e-document, duly completed by the country’s social security authority or institute. You must also be issued a U1 document, even if you are not entitled to unemployment benefit (as is the case, for example, with public employees) to complete the totalling in case of any future unemployment benefit or benefits from the EU country where you were a job seeker.
 Jargon busters
The European Economic Area (EEA) means all business, economic and social relations between EU countries with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein;
Social security system registration number: this is a unique personal social security system registration number (the same function as a tax code in Italy). It is a unique reference number that helps to identify the subject's place in national records so they can access public services, healthcare and claim social security benefits.
 FORMS YOU MAY NEED TO FILL IN
 The necessary forms to claim benefits can no longer be downloaded from the INPS website because they will be submitted via the online procedure.
You can also get free support from the Employee organisations (Patronato).
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