International Social Insurance
German laws on social security state that the services provided are only available in Germany. But there are also possibilities to receive certain social security benefits in other countries. International and bilateral social security agreements regulate these cases. Within the European Union there is a legal foundation whereby social benefits can be sought in member state countries. For instance, health care for those insured and their families is guaranteed. There are also a number of social security agreements with non-EU European states and with countries outside Europe. The arrangements within the EU and with some other states are very comprehensive. The most important aspects are services in case of sickness, disability and in old age. They also cover services for the care of surviving dependants and services in case of accidents in the workplace or occupational illnesses. The international agreements are based on two fundamental conditions:
- The people covered by the agreements have the same basic social rights.
- Residence in the member state or in the state that has a bilateral agreement is based on the same equal principle.
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