Working abroad is growing fast – a record number of A1 certificates granted in Finland in 2022
The Finnish Centre for Pensions granted a record number of A1 certificates of coverage under Finnish social security in 2022. The volumes returned to the growth trajectory that preceded the corona years.
In 2022, the Finnish Centre for Pensions granted 13,400 certificates on coverage under Finnish social security laws while working abroad. This is an increase of one third compared to 2021.
Certificates of coverage under Finnish social security in 2014–2022, by gender
The figures for 2022 shows that the corona restrictions have been lifted and that the volumes have returned to the growth trajectory of the pre-corona years. An increasing number of workers go to work abroad: in work projects, to do remote work or to attempt to expand their business operations.
A1 certificates generally issued for periods of less than one year
In 2022, more than 70 per cent of the certificates were issued for less than one year. An ample one third of the certificates were granted for periods of work abroad lasting for less than three months.
In the future, the number of A1 certificate applications for short periods of work abroad is likely to grow even more. The Finnish Centre for Pensions clarified its instructions at the end of 2022: it advices that the A1 certificate is applied for regardless of the length of work abroad, that is, also for short periods of work abroad such as work or educational trips and short postings abroad. The regulations stem from EU’s regulation on social security, which does not define how long a period of work must be to require an A1 certificate. For those travelling often, it is worth the while to apply for the A1 certificate for two years at a time.
Number of certificates for work abroad in several countries on the rise
Traditionally, workers have been posted abroad to work, that is, a Finnish company has sent the worker abroad for a certain period of time, for example to work at its subsidiary in another country. Sweden has retained its position at the top regarding certificates for work done in one country.
In recent years, work abroad in several countries has increased. More than 40 per cent of the granted A1 certificates in 2022 were for work in several countries. The workers may have several different employers in more than one country, or they may work regularly for a single employer in several EU/EEA countries.
As a rule, this type of work is done by drivers, nurses, performing artists and various project workers. Certificates for work in several countries may also be issued to persons who do several work or educational trips abroad during a year.
Check out statistics on insurance for work abroad and posted workers.
Statistics on insurance for work abroad and posted workers
Read more:
- What is an A1 certificate
- Short conference and business trips (a current news 24.4.2023)
Image: Getty Images
Updated on 9 Feb. 2023. The instruction on when to apply for an A1 certificate has been specified: The Finnish Centre for Pensions advices that the A1 certificate is applied for regardless of the length of work abroad, also for short periods of work abroad, such as work or educational trips and short postings abroad. For those travelling often, it is worth the while to apply for the A1 certificate for two years at a time.
