On Monday 20 October, the competent ministers from Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden, joined on 20 October by the minister from Slovakia, sent a letter to the Commission Vice-President responsible for social rights and employment, Roxana Mînzatu, on the revision of the regulations on the coordination of social security systems.
Led by Spain, which was to coordinate this letter initiated in recent days with a view to the Commission’s 2026 work programme (see EUROPE 13731/25), European leaders reiterate their conviction that an agreement can still be reached under the future Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU on this issue, which has been pending since 2016.
In a draft letter seen by Agence Europe, these countries acknowledge that the revision of Regulations 883/2004 and 987/2009 on the coordination of social security systems has posed significant challenges since its launch in 2016.
“Each Council Presidency has faced considerable difficulties in advancing the negotiations, both within the Council itself and in discussions with the European Parliament. Nevertheless, over the past year, important progress has been made”.
The signatories state that “a majority of Member States is committed to reaching a solution and acknowledges that we are now closer than ever to achieving an agreement. This momentum is crucial, especially in light of the Commission’s upcoming launch of the ‘Fair Labour Mobility Package’”.
“A completed revision would certainly give additional impetus to the ESSPASS proposal foreseen in this context. We are convinced that a successful agreement can be reached under the upcoming Cypriot Presidency”.
These countries are therefore calling on the Commission to maintain its commitment to this initiative. “While withdrawal might appear to be a pragmatic path forward, the substantial efforts invested over the past years, and being this close to success, justify one final push”.
The signatories also believe that protecting the social rights of mobile workers and their families must be a priority in the current geopolitical context.
Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu has already expressed her wish to maintain the dossier and believes that an agreement is possible, but the decision rests with the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)