The free circulation of Individuals between the European Community member states: The practical implications for social security schemes

Freedom of movement in an integrated European Economic Area created the need to coordinate social security legislations by means of complex regulations. Improving their application calls for innovative solutions based on the experience of ISSA member institutions, ILO standards and the initiative of non‐governmental organizations. These solutions are also of interest to institutions in states — even non‐European states — linked to the Community by bilateral or multilateral conventions. The main objective is to simplify and speed up administrative procedures, notably for the award of pensions to migrants, given the desirability of identifying them and reconstructing their working careers at the earliest opportunity. Teleprocessing must gradually replace the international circulation of forms, facilitating in particular the provision of medical care during a temporary stay. Recipients’effective access to benefits can also be improved through the personal intervention of liaison offices, the use of migrants’own language and the aid of social services.