Glossary
Bilateral social security agreement
An agreement signed between France and a third country to coordinate their social security schemes, guaranteeing portability of rights (contributions, benefits, pension) in case of mobility.
A bilateral agreement covers situations that EU regulations do not, since it applies outside the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland. Depending on the text signed with the country concerned, it can allow someone to stay affiliated to the French scheme during a secondment, avoid double contributions, or have periods worked in both countries count toward a pension calculation.
Each agreement has its own content: France has signed this type of agreement with several dozen states and territories, but no two agreements cover the same risks or follow the same scale. The up-to-date list of countries concerned and the details of each text are published by CLEISS, which remains the reference to consult before relying on any given country.
Example
An employee seconded to a country linked to France by a bilateral social security agreement may, depending on the terms of that agreement, remain affiliated to the French scheme rather than contributing in the host country.
Also searched as: bilateral social security agreement · social coordination agreement