News Details

O Council of the European Union gave the final green light to the new Regulation on 28 September 2026 amending the Regulations (EC) No 883/2004 e 987/2009, by modernising European rules on the coordination of national social security systems. The revision aims to make the rules clearer, fairer and easier to apply and to strengthen the protection of the rights of people living or working in another Member State.

The amendments cover, inter alia, unemployment benefits, long-term care benefits, access to certain social benefits for economically inactive persons, family benefits and rules applicable to posted workers and persons working in two or more Member States.

Among the most relevant changes for persons with disabilities is the explicit integration of long-term care benefits within the material scope of Regulation (EC) No 883/2004. The new framework provides a specific definition of these benefits, covering benefits in kind or in cash intended to meet the care needs of persons who, in particular on the grounds of disability, require significant assistance from other persons in order to carry out essential activities of daily life over an extended period of time.

The revision also introduces amendments to facilitate the exercise of social security rights in cross-border situations. No the field of unemployment, the rules on the aggregation of periods of insurance are clarified and provision is made, under certain conditions, for the possibility of extending the period of export of benefits beyond six months, until the end of the period of entitlement, by decision of the competent Member State.

The update further strengthens administrative cooperation and the use of digital means, including electronic data exchange, online procedures for determining the applicable legislation and faster mechanisms for verifying social security documents used in a cross-border context.

They are also enhanced rules for cooperation between Member States’ institutions to combat fraud and error, including new possibilities for data comparison in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), as well as clearer procedures for validating, revoking and rectifying documents.

A update is of particular importance for persons with disabilities exercising their right to free movement within the European Union, notably in cross-border access to benefits and care, in determining the applicable social security legislation and in the principle of equal treatment.

The Regulation will enter into force on the first day of the month following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union, some provisions will be applied on a deferred basis, allowing for the adaptation of national systems.