Portable document A1: conditions, documents and procedure
A practical guide to the portable document A1 issued in Romania: when it is issued, which conditions apply, which documents to prepare for each case and how the application works at the pension authority.
What the portable document A1 is
The portable document A1 is the European certificate showing which state you pay social contributions to when you work, temporarily or normally, in more than one EU, EEA state or Switzerland. It replaced the old E101 form.
In Romania the document is issued by the National Public Pension House (CNPP), through its international relations unit, based on an application by the employer or the self-employed worker. It does not grant a right to work in another state; it only settles which social security legislation applies.
Host state authorities, such as labour inspectorates or social insurance institutions, may ask for the document during inspections. When an A1 is shown, they must as a rule take it into account as long as the issuing institution has not withdrawn it.
The three situations in which an A1 is issued
Posted employees
Art. 12(1) of Reg. 883/2004
A Romanian company temporarily sends an employee to work in another member state, on its behalf, for an expected period of up to 24 months.
Self-employed workers
Art. 12(2) of Reg. 883/2004
A sole trader or self-employed professional who normally works in Romania and temporarily carries out similar work in another member state, for up to 24 months.
Work in several states
Art. 13 of Reg. 883/2004
People who normally work, on a rotating basis, in two or more states: international drivers, travelling crew, service technicians, consultants.
Conditions checked by the pension authority
For posted employees, the conditions are set by Regulation (EC) No 987/2009 and Decision No A2 of the Administrative Commission. The authority checks each one when assessing the file.
- Direct link with the employer
Throughout the posting, the employee remains under the Romanian company, which pays them and can end the contract. - Substantial activity in Romania
The company normally carries out significant activities in Romania, not just administrative ones. A practical benchmark is achieving at least 25% of turnover in the country. - Prior insurance in Romania
The employee is subject to Romanian legislation immediately before the posting, usually for at least one month. Self-employed workers should normally have worked in Romania for at least two months. - Up to 24 months
The expected duration of the work abroad does not exceed 24 months. Beyond that, a special agreement between the institutions concerned is needed. - Not replacing another posted worker
The employee is not sent to replace another posted person whose period has ended. - Not hired out to another company
The worker is not placed at the disposal of another company in the host state that sends them on elsewhere.
Documents needed, by situation
The list below is indicative. The pension authority may request additional documents; you get the exact list for your case from us before filing.
For posted employees
- The employer's application and declaration on meeting the posting conditions
- The employment contract and the posting addendum
- The contract or order with the client in the host state
- Data on the company's activity in Romania (turnover, contracts, staff)
- The employee's ID document
For sole traders and the self-employed
- The registration certificate and proof of activity in Romania
- Recent contracts with clients in Romania
- The contract with the foreign client and the estimated duration
- Proof of social contributions paid in Romania
- ID document
For work in several states
- The employment contract and job description showing work in several states
- An estimate of working time or pay in each state
- Proof of the worker's residence
- For transport: the Community licence and trip records
- The worker's ID document
How the application works
- 01
Check the category
Determine whether it is a posting, self-employment or work in several states. The form and documents depend on it.
- 02
Prepare the file
Gather the documents electronically and complete the application with the worker's and client's details and the period.
- 03
File the application
The application is sent electronically to the pension authority by the employer, the worker or an authorised agent.
- 04
Receive the document
After assessment and any clarifications, the portable document A1 is issued electronically.
What can happen without an A1
- The host state may consider that its own legislation applies and ask for social contributions there, sometimes retroactively.
- At site, factory or roadside inspections, a missing document can lead to fines and work delays.
- Foreign clients often require an A1 before site access or signing the contract.
We handle the whole file
We check the category, prepare the application and file it as your agent. You receive the A1 by e-mail.
See the A1 serviceWhatsAppQuestions about the A1 document
Are the A1 document and the A1 form the same thing?
Can an A1 be requested after the worker has left?
What if the posting runs longer than the A1 period?
Is the A1 enough to work in Germany, Belgium or France?
Who can file the application?
This article is for information only and reflects requirements published by institutions at the time of writing. It is not legal advice. For your specific situation, ask us for an assessment.
Articles about the A1
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What the A1 certificate is, who applies, how long it is valid and which documents to prepare when posting staff from Romania to another EU state.
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How a Romanian sole trader (PFA) obtains an A1 when temporarily working for a client in another EU state: conditions, documents and common mistakes.
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