Background information
The 1951 Refugee Convention ensures that refugees lawfully staying in a country are entitled to the same treatment as nationals regarding social security, which includes health protection and medical care (Article 24).
The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union states that 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. 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.
The qualification directive (2011/95/EU), (QD), highlights the importance of providing beneficiaries of international protection with adequate social welfare and means of subsistence, without discrimination in the context of social assistance (recital 45 QD). Additionally, the directive ensures that beneficiaries of international protection receive the same social security benefits as nationals. This includes access to social welfare schemes such as unemployment benefits, old-age pensions and disability benefits. The directive mandates that Member States must provide these benefits under the same eligibility conditions as they do for their own citizens (Article 29 QD)
Access to social security benefits is often conditioned by the issuance of a social security number/fiscal registration number. The EUAA Guidance on Reception – Operational standards and indicators, 2024, highlights as a good practice (Standard 17) 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 access to rights.
Information provision messages
Inform beneficiaries of international protection on the below.
- The importance of obtaining a social security number or identification, how to apply for one, and whether this number is automatically included on their residence permit (if applicable). Describe how the social security number is used to access benefits and services.
- The types of social security benefits available, depending on your national context, such as unemployment benefits, disability benefits, family allowances, maternity leave and child allowances; describe what they entail.
- Their right to equal treatment with nationals in terms of social security.
- The eligibility criteria for these benefits, depending on your national context, such as age, previous employment periods, and low income. Additionally, provide information on how social security contributions are calculated and deducted from income, emphasising their importance in securing future benefits.
- The competent authority for each type of social security benefit; outline the main steps of the application process, such as gathering documents, preparing files, and attending interviews.
- Available support services, including NGOs and government agencies that offer counselling and guidance for accessing social security schemes. Additionally, inform beneficiaries about language support services (e.g. translation, interpretation) to help them understand and access social security benefits.
- Obligations they must fulfil to maintain their eligibility, such as regular reporting and attending appointments and consequences of not adhering to them.
- The importance of reporting changes in personal circumstances, such as employment status or family composition, that could affect social security benefits. Explain how to report these changes, the potential impact on benefits, and the penalties for failing to report such changes.
- The importance of respectful interactions with social security offices and service providers.
Practical tips
- Inform social security service providers about the specific circumstances of beneficiaries of international protection, such as the possibility that they may not have birth certificates but have all relevant information on their residence permits. Additionally, inform them on the beneficiaries' rights to access social security schemes and the documents issued to them, such as residence permits that include social security numbers.
- Develop and provide access to videos, animations and animated slide presentations that explain social security benefits, services and processes. These videos can be played in the waiting areas of the reception facility or service providers, or during information sessions.