The 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees ensures that refugees lawfully staying in a country are entitled to the same treatment as nationals regarding social security, including coverage for employment injuries, occupational diseases, maternity, sickness, disability, old age, death, unemployment and family responsibilities, though certain limitations may apply (Article 24).
The EU recognises and respects the entitlement to social security benefits and social services providing protection in cases such as maternity, illness, industrial accidents, dependency or old age and in the case of loss of employment (The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union). This applies to all individuals within the EU, including beneficiaries of international protection.
The Global Compact for Refugees, 2018 underscores the importance of integrating refugees into national social protection systems and ensuring their access to social security on par with nationals. It encourages host countries to provide refugees with the same access to social security benefits and services.
Beneficiaries of international protection must receive the same treatment as nationals of the Member State that granted them protection regarding access to social security (recital 72 and Article 31 Qualification Regulation).
Access to social security benefits is often conditioned by the issuance of a social security number/fiscal registration number. The EUAA Operational Standards and Indicators on Reception including Vulnerability-related Aspects, 2026, highlight as a good practice (related to Standard109, p. 145) the automatic issuance of the social security number/fiscal registration number on documents issued to applicants for international protection, provided that the databases of the relevant public services are interoperable. Once the person is granted international protection, the pre-existence of such a number could facilitate easier access to rights.
Information provision messages
Inform beneficiaries of international protection about the following.
- The importance of having a social security number, how to apply for it, whether it is included on the residence permit and how it is used to access benefits and services.
- What are social security benefits: systems that provide support, in the form of cash or services, to people facing needs due to old age, sickness, unemployment or disability.
- The types of social security benefits available depending on your national context related to:
- health (e.g. sickness leave, invalidity benefits, work accidents and work-related disease, death grants)
- income and employment (e.g. unemployment, pension)
- family, including maternity/paternity leave.
- Social security benefits available for people with special needs or in vulnerable situations and how they could access them (e.g. disability benefits).
- Their right to equal treatment with nationals in terms of social security and social assistance and the existing limitations for beneficiaries of subsidiary protection (if applicable).
- The eligibility criteria for these benefits (e.g. age, previous employment periods, income level, family composition).
- How social security contributions are calculated and why they are important for accessing future benefits.
- Where and how to apply for social security benefits:
- the competent authority for each type of social security benefit
- the main steps of the application process (e.g. file preparation, interviews)
- timeframes for accessing the social security benefits.
- Available support services (e.g. counselling, support, translation and interpretation services) and the contact details of the service providers (e.g. non-governmental organisations, public services).
- Obligations for maintaining benefits (e.g. regular reporting, attending appointments, participation in integration activities, informing the authority of any changes in the personal situation – employment status, family composition) and the consequences of non-compliance.
- The importance of respectful interactions with social security offices and service providers.
Practical tips
- Explain terms like ‘social security number’ or ‘benefits’ in simple terms.
- Give practical examples to enable beneficiaries to relate to a certain situation concerning a certain benefit.
- Use multiple communication channels including written channels (e.g. leaflets, brochures) or audiovisual channels (e.g. pictograms, posters, videos) to explain access to social security benefits. Ensure the information is accessible to all beneficiaries, regardless of impairments or literacy levels.
- Organise group information sessions to provide beneficiaries with detailed information on the social security benefits and to allow them to ask questions.