EU/EEA countries and Switzerland

The A1 certificate can be granted for a maximum of two years at a time.

The two-year limit is country-specific. If the country changes, a new certificate can be granted for two years to another country (if the conditions for the certificate are met)

If the posting continues in the same country for more than two years, the Finnish Centre for Pensions can, upon application,  extend a granted certificate by three additional years. In that case, the Finnish Centre for Pensions will negotiate with the authorities in the country of employment of an exemption. If the authorities accept the exemption, the employee can be covered by Finnish social security legislation while working as a posted employee in the foreign country for a total of five years.

In several EU Member States at the same time

If the work is done repeatedly in two more several EU Member States, there is no maximum time limit to the granted certificates.

However, as the certificate can be granted for a maximum of two years at a time, the employer or self-employed must always apply for an extension to the certificate. At the same time, the Finnish Centre for Pensions will check that the conditions for granting the certificate are till met.

Social security countries

When it comes to countries with which Finland has a social security agreement, the maximum period of posting varies by country

• The United States of America, Australia, India, China, Japan and South Korea – 5 years
• Canada, Quebec, Israel, Chile – 3 years

With all social security agreement countries, it is also possible to agree on a longer period of posting than the maximum period. In that case, the Finnish Centre for Pensions will negotiate with the authorities in the country of employment of an exemption. The exemption is then either accepted or rejected by the authorities of the country of employment.

Read more on Etk.fi:

• From Finland Abroad