On Wednesday 18 April, the European Parliament adopted a proposal from the Commission which makes amendments to the modernised social security coordination regulations No (EC) 883/2004 and 987/2009 including new rules that will affect aircrew.
As it stands, the general rules that apply to all persons working in two or more EU countries apply to aircrew. These general rules do not fully fit the way in which aircraft operators are organised. Many aircraft operators provide their services from so-called "home bases", the place where the personnel normally starts or ends a duty period or a series of duty periods and where, under normal conditions, the operator is not responsible for the accommodation of the aircrew member. This is also the location with which the worker has the greatest connection during his/her employment.
The amendments introduced by the European Parliament now recognise this close connection with the inclusion of the concept of 'home base", which means that the person will be subject to the social security legislation of the country of the "home base". Let's for example imagine the situation of a pilot who is working for an aircraft operator which has his registered office in France, but who is residing in Italy and whose 'home base' is in Italy. According to the new rules, he will be subject to the Italian social security legislation and no longer to the French legislation. This means contributions will be paid in Italy, for example.
It is up to the Council now to approve the European Parliament's position in its first reading. If a qualified majority of Member States accept this amendment the new rules will enter into force in the coming months.
Contact: Mr. Pedro Vicente Azua, Chief Operating Officer - (COO)
