Coordination of social security systems in the EU

Question for written answer E-003800/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Erik Kaliňák (NI)

Under Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 on the coordination of social security systems, EU citizens are entitled to exportable family benefits without discrimination, including family allowances and parental allowances. In practice, however, there are often serious delays, rejections of applications, and buck-passing between national authorities, leading to families losing their entitlements, financial hardship and reduced labour mobility.

One example is the case of a Slovak family, in which the Austrian authorities took more than two years (from 2021 to 2023) to reach a decision on allowances, leaving their application for parental allowance blocked. The Slovak authorities were subsequently unable to act without a formal decision, which made it impossible for an appeal to be lodged and led to missed deadlines. Families have to bear the costs of translations, legal disputes and refunds of advance payments, which is contrary to the objectives of the Regulation.

• 1.Is the Commission aware of these systemic problems in the coordination of family benefits between Member States?
• 2.What steps does it plan to take to ensure the effective implementation of Regulation 883/2004, including simplifying the exchange of information between states and ensuring that citizens are able to meet deadlines?
• 3.Is the Commission considering a revision of the rules in order to remove the administrative burden from families?

Submitted: 1.10.2025