Social Security/Family benefits and child allowances

Social security, pension rights, health insurance, family benefits and child allowances

UK nationals, as well as their respective family members, will continue to exercise their rights derived from Union law, where those rights are based on life choices made before 31 December 2020.

The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, provisionally applicable as from 1 January 2021 on, contains a serious of measures regarding the coordination of social security. The aim is to protect the entitlements of EU nationals who – from 1 January 2021 onwards - provisionally stay or go to live or work in the United Kingdom and vice versa. Through the coordination, it is possible to avoid the risk of duplication of social security contributions or the temporary loss of social security protection. The Agreement does not cover family allowances, nursing services, non-contributory payments or payments for contraception.

The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement covers also healthcare. In principle, current rules continue to apply. Hence, an EU national, who e.g. temporarily travels, studies or works in the United Kingdom from 1 January 2021 on will continue to receive medical care (e.g. in case of emergency) based on the European Health Insurance Card. In case of long-term stay, it might be possible that additional requirements are requested under national immigration legislation. Pensioners who decide to take residence in the EU or the United Kingdom will continue to profit from the healthcare system of their country of residence. The costs will be paid by the country who pays their pension.