EUROPEAN
CODE OF SOCIAL SECURITY AND
PROTOCOL TO THE EUROPEAN CODE OF SOCIAL SECURITY
EUROPEAN CODE OF SOCIAL SECURITY
Preamble
Part I: General provisions
Part II: Medical
care
Part III: Sickness
benefit
Part IV: Unemployment benefit
Part V: Old-age benefit
Part VI: Employment
injury benefit
Part VII: Family benefit
Part VIII: Maternity
benefit
Part IX: Invalidity
benefit
Part X: Survivors' benefit
Part XI: Standards to be
complied with by periodical payments
Part: XII: Common
provisions
Part XIII:
Miscellaneous provisions
Part XIV: Final
provisions
Annex
Addenda 1
Addenda 2
The member States of the Council of Europe, signatory hereto,
Considering that the aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve a greater unity between its members for the purpose,
Considering that one of the objects of the social programme of the Council of Europe is to encourage all members to develop further their systems of social security;
Recognising the desirability of harmonising social charges in member countries;
Convinced that it is desirable to establish a European Code of Social Security at a higher level than the minimum standards embodied in International Labour Convention No.102 concerning Minimum Standards of Social Security,
Have agreed on the following provisions, which have been prepared with the collaboration of the International Labour Office:
General provisions
a the term "the Committee of Ministers" means the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe;
b the term "the Committee" means the Committee of Experts on Social Security of the Council of Europe or such other committee as the Committee of Ministers may designate to carry out the duties laid down in Article 2, paragraph 3; Article 74, paragraph 4, and Article 78, paragraph 3;
c the term "Secretary General" means the Secretary General of the Council of Europe;
d the term "prescribed" means determined by or in virtue of national laws or regulations;
e the term "residence" means ordinary residence in the territory of the Contracting Party concerned and the term "resident" means a person ordinarily resident in the territory of the Contracting Party concerned;
f the term "wife" means a wife who is maintained by her husband;
g the term "widow" means a woman who was maintained by her husband at the time of his death;
h the term "child" means a child under school-leaving age or under 15 years of age, as may be prescribed;
i the term "qualifying period" means a period of contribution, or a period of employment, or a period of residence, or any combination thereof, as may be prescribed.
a Part I;
b at least six of Parts II to X, provided that Part II shall count as two Parts and Part V as three Parts;
c the relevant provisions of Parts XI and XII; and
d Part XIII.
a at least three of Parts II to X, including at least one of Parts IV, V, VI, IX and X are complied with; and
b in addition, proof is furnished that the social security legislation in force is equivalent to one of the combinations provided for in that sub-paragraph, taking into account:
Each Contracting Party shall specify in its instrument of ratification those parts of Parts II to X in respect of which it accepts the obligations of this Code, and shall also state whether and to what extent it avails itself of the provisions of Article 2, paragraph 2.
Where, for the purpose of compliance with any of the Parts II to X of this Code which are to be covered by its ratification, a Contracting Party is required to protect prescribed classes of persons constituting not less than a specified percentage of employees or residents, that Contracting Party shall satisfy itself, before undertaking to comply with such part, that the relevant percentage is attained.
For the purpose of compliance with Parts II, III, IV, V, VIII (in so far as it relates to medical care), IX or X of this Code, a Contracting Party may take account of protection effected by means of insurance which, although not made compulsory by national laws or regulations for the persons to be protected,
a is subsidised by the public authorities or, where such insurance is complementary only, is supervised by the public authorities or administered, in accordance with prescribed standards, by joint operation of employers and workers;
b covers a substantial part of the persons whose earnings do not exceed those of the skilled manual male employee, determined in accordance with Article 65; and
c complies, in conjunction with other forms of protection, where appropriate, with the relevant provisions of the Code.
Medical care
Each Contracting Party for which this part of this Code is in force shall secure to the persons protected the provision of benefit in respect of a condition requiring medical care of a preventive or curative nature in accordance with the following articles of this part.
The contingencies covered shall include any morbid condition, whatever its cause, and pregnancy and confinement and their consequences.
The persons protected shall comprise:
a prescribed classes of employees, constituting not less than 50 per cent of all employees, and also their wives and children; or
b prescribed classes of the economically active population, constituting not less than 20 per cent of all residents, and also their wives and children; or
c prescribed classes of residents, constituting not less than 50 per cent of all residents.
a in case of a morbid condition,
b in case of pregnancy and confinement and their consequences,
The benefit specified in Article 10 shall, in a contingency covered, be secured at least to a person protected who has completed, or whose breadwinner has completed, such qualifying period as may be considered necessary to preclude abuse.
The benefit specified in Article 10 shall be granted throughout the contingency covered, except that, in case of a morbid condition, its duration may be limited to 26 weeks in each case, but benefit shall not be suspended while a sickness benefit continues to be paid, and provision shall be made to enable the limit to be extended for prescribed diseases recognised as entailing prolonged care.
Sickness benefit
Each Contracting Party for which this part of the Code is in force shall secure to the persons protected the provision of sickness benefit in accordance with the following articles of this part.
The contingency covered shall include incapacity for work resulting from a morbid condition and involving suspension of earnings, as defined by national laws or regulations.
The persons protected shall comprise:
a prescribed classes of employees, constituting not less than 50 per cent of all employees; or
b prescribed classes of the economically active population, constituting not less than 20 per cent of all residents; or
c all residents whose means during the contingency do not exceed limits prescribed in such a manner as to comply with the requirements of Article 67.
The benefit specified in Article 16 shall, in a contingency covered, be secured at least to a person protected who has completed such qualifying period as may be considered necessary to preclude abuse.
The benefit specified in Article 16 shall be granted throughout the contingency, except that the benefit may be limited to 26 weeks in each case of sickness, and need not be paid for the first three days of suspension of earnings.
Unemployment benefit
Each Contracting Party for which this part of the Code is in force shall secure to the persons protected the provision of unemployment benefit in accordance with the following articles of this part.
The contingency covered shall include suspension of earnings, as defined by national laws or regulations, due to inability to obtain suitable employment in the case of a person protected who is capable of, and available for, work.
The persons protected shall comprise:
a prescribed classes of employees, constituting not less than 50 per cent of all employees; or
b all residents whose means during the contingency do not exceed limits prescribed in such a manner as to comply with the requirements of Article 67.
The benefit specified in Article 22 shall, in a contingency covered, be secured at least to a person protected who has completed such qualifying period as may be considered necessary to preclude abuse.
a where classes of employees are protected, to 13 weeks within a period of 12 months, or to 13 weeks in each case of suspension of earnings; or
b where all residents whose means during the contingency do not exceed prescribed limits are protected, to 26 weeks within a period of 12 months; provided that the duration of the prescribed benefit, guaranteed without means test, may be limited in accordance with sub-paragraph a of this paragraph.
Old-age benefit
Each Contracting Party for which this part of the Code is in force shall secure to the persons protected the provision of old-age benefit in accordance with the following articles of this part.
The persons protected shall comprise :
a prescribed classes of employees, constituting not less than 50 per cent of all employees; or
b prescribed classes of the economically active population, constituting not less than 20 per cent of all residents; or
c all residents whose means during the contingency do not exceed limits prescribed in such a manner as to comply with the requirements of Article 67.
The benefit shall be a periodical payment calculated as follows:
a where classes of employees or classes of the economically active population are protected, in such a manner as to comply either with the requirements of Article 65 or with the requirements of Article 66;
b where all residents whose means during the contingency do not exceed prescribed limits are protected, in such a manner as to comply with the requirements of Article 67.
a to a person protected who has completed, prior to the contingency, in accordance with prescribed rules, a qualifying period which may be 30 years of contribution or employment, or 20 years of residence; or
b where, in principle, all economically active persons are protected, to a person protected who has completed a prescribed qualifying period of contribution and in respect of whom while he was of working age, the prescribed yearly average number of contributions has been paid.
a to a person protected who has completed, prior to the contingency, in accordance with prescribed rules, a qualifying period of 15 years of contribution or employment; or
b where, in principle, all economically active persons are protected, to a person protected who has completed a prescribed qualifying period of contribution and in respect of whom, while he was of working age, half the yearly average number of contributions prescribed in accordance with paragraph 1.b of this article has been paid.
The benefits specified in Articles 28 and 29 shall be granted throughout the contingency.
Employment injury benefit
Each Contracting Party for which this part of the Code is in force shall secure to the persons protected the provision of employment injury benefit in accordance with the following articles of this part.
The contingencies covered shall include the following where the state of affairs described is due to accident or a prescribed disease resulting from employment:
a a morbid condition;
b incapacity for work resulting from such a condition and involving suspension of earnings, as defined by national laws or regulations;
c total loss of earning capacity or partial loss thereof in excess of a prescribed degree, likely to be permanent, or corresponding loss of faculty; and
d the loss of support suffered by the widow or child as the result of the death of the breadwinner; in the case of a widow, the right to benefit may be made conditional on her being presumed, in accordance with national laws or regulations, to be incapable of self-support.
The persons protected shall comprise prescribed classes of employees, constituting not less than 50 per cent of all employees, and, for benefit in respect of death of the breadwinner, also their wives and children.
a general practitioner and specialist in-patient care and out-patient care, including domiciliary visiting;
b dental care;
c nursing care at home or in hospital or other medical institutions;
d maintenance in hospitals, convalescent homes, sanatoria or other medical institutions;
e dental, pharmaceutical and other medical or surgical supplies, including prosthetic appliances, kept in repair, and eyeglasses; and
f the care furnished by members of such other professions as may at any time be legally recognised as allied to the medical profession, under the supervision of a medical or dental practitioner.
a where the degree of incapacity is slight; or
b where the competent authority is satisfied that the lump sum will be properly utilised.
The benefit specified in Articles 34 and 36 shall, in a contingency covered, be secured at least to a person protected who was employed on the territory of the Contracting Party concerned at the time of the accident if the injury is due to accident or at the time of contracting the disease if the injury is due to a disease and, for periodical payments in respect of death of the breadwinner, to the widow and children of such person.
The benefit specified in Articles 34 and 36 shall be granted throughout the contingency, except that, in respect of incapacity for work, the benefit need not be paid for the first three days in each case of suspension of earnings.
Family benefit
Each Contracting Party for which this part of the Code is in force shall secure to the persons protected the provision of family benefit in accordance with the following articles of this part.
The contingency covered shall be responsibility for the maintenance of children as prescribed.
The persons protected shall comprise, as regards the periodical payments specified in Article 42:
a prescribed classes of employees, constituting not less than 50 per cent of all employees; or
b prescribed classes of the economically active population, constituting not less than 20 per cent of all residents.
The benefit shall be:
a a periodical payment granted to any person protected having completed the prescribed qualifying period; or
b the provision to or in respect of children of food, clothing, housing, holidays or domestic help; or
c a combination of the benefits provided for in sub-paragraphs a and b of this article.
The benefit specified in Article 42 shall be secured at least to a person protected who, within a prescribed period, has completed a qualifying period which may be one month of contribution or employment, or six months of residence, as may be prescribed.
The total value of the benefits granted in accordance with Article 42 to the persons protected shall be such as to represent 1.5 per cent of the wage of an ordinary adult male labourer as determined in accordance with the rules laid down in Article 66, multiplied by the total number of children of all residents.
Where the benefit consists of a periodical payment, it shall be granted throughout the contingency.
Maternity benefit
Each Contracting Party for which this part of the Code is in force shall secure to the persons protected the provision of maternity benefit in accordance with the following articles of this part.
The contingencies covered shall include pregnancy and confinement and their consequences, and suspension of earnings, as defined by national laws or regulations resulting therefrom.
The persons protected shall comprise:
a all women in prescribed classes of employees, which classes constitute not less than 50 per cent of all employees, and, for maternity medical benefit, also the wives of men in these classes; or
b all women in prescribed classes of the economically active population, which classes constitute not less than 20 per cent of all residents, and, for maternity medical benefit, also the wives of men in these classes.
a pre-natal, confinement and post-natal care either by medical practitioners or by qualified midwives; and
b hospitalisation where necessary.
In respect of suspension of earnings resulting from pregnancy and from confinement and their consequences, the benefit shall be a periodical payment calculated in such a manner as to comply either with the requirements of Article 65 or with the requirements of Article 66. The amount of the periodical payment may vary in the course of the contingency, subject to the average rate thereof complying with these requirements.
The benefit specified in Articles 49 and 50 shall, in a contingency covered, be secured at least to a woman in the classes protected who has completed such qualifying period as may be considered necessary to preclude abuse, and the benefit specified in Article 49 shall also be secured to the wife of a man in the classes protected where the latter has completed such qualifying period.
The benefit specified in Articles 49 and 50 shall be granted throughout the contingency, except that the periodical payment may be limited to 12 weeks, unless a longer period of abstention from work is required or authorised by national laws or regulations, in which event it may not be limited to a period less than such longer period.
Invalidity benefit
Each Contracting Party for which this part of the Code is in force shall secure to the persons protected the provision of invalidity benefit in accordance with the following articles of this part.
The contingency covered shall include inability to engage in any gainful activity, to an extent prescribed, which inability is likely to be permanent or persists after the exhaustion of sickness benefit.
The persons protected shall comprise:
a prescribed classes of employees, constituting not less than 50 per cent of all employees; or
b prescribed classes of the economically active population, constituting not less than 20 per cent of all residents; or
c all residents whose means during the contingency do not exceed limits prescribed in such a way as to comply with the requirements of Article 67.
The benefit shall be a periodical payment calculated as follows:
a where classes of employees or classes of the economically active population are protected, in such a manner as to comply either with the requirements of Article 65 or with the requirements of Article 66;
b where all residents whose means during the contingency do not exceed prescribed limits are protected, in such a manner as to comply with the requirements of Article 67.
a to a person protected who has completed, prior to the contingency, in accordance with prescribed rules, a qualifying period which may be 15 years of contribution or employment, or 10 years of residence; or
b where, in principle, all economically active persons are protected, to a person protected who has completed a qualifying period of three years of contribution and in respect of whom, while he was of working age, the prescribed yearly average number of contributions has been paid.
a to a person protected who has completed, prior to the contingency, in accordance with prescribed rules, a qualifying period of five years of contribution or employment; or
b where, in principle, all economically active persons are protected, to a person protected who has completed a qualifying period of three years of contribution and in respect of whom, while he was of working age, half the yearly average number of contributions prescribed in accordance with paragraph 1.b of this article has been paid.
The benefit specified in Articles 56 and 57 shall be granted throughout the contingency or until an old-age benefit becomes payable.
Survivors' benefit
Each Contracting Party for which this part of the Code is in force shall secure to the persons protected the provision of survivors' benefit in accordance with the following articles of this part.
The persons protected shall comprise:
a the wives and the children of breadwinners in prescribed classes of employees, which classes constitute not less than 50 per cent of all employees; or
b the wives and the children of breadwinners in prescribed classes of the economically active population, which classes constitute not less than 20 per cent of all residents; or
c all resident widows and resident children who have lost their breadwinner and whose means during the contingency do not exceed limits prescribed in such a manner as to comply with the requirements of Article 67.
The benefit shall be a periodical payment calculated as follows:
a where the wives and children of breadwinners in classes of employees or classes of the economically active population are protected, in such manner as to comply either with the requirements of Article 65 or with the requirements of Article 66;
b where all resident widows and resident children whose means during the contingency do not exceed prescribed limits are protected, in such a manner as to comply with the requirements of Article 67.
a to a person protected whose breadwinner has completed, in accordance with prescribed rules, a qualifying period which may be 15 years of contribution or employment, or 10 years of residence; or
b where, in principle, the wives and children of all economically active persons are protected, to a person protected whose breadwinner has completed a qualifying period of three years of contribution and in respect of whose breadwinner, while he was of working age, the prescribed yearly average number of contributions has been paid.
a to a person protected whose breadwinner has completed, in accordance with prescribed rules, a qualifying period of five years of contribution or employment; or
b where, in principle, the wives and children of all economically active persons are protected, to a person protected whose breadwinner has completed a qualifying period of three years of contribution and in respect of whose breadwinner, while he was of working age, half the yearly average number of contributions prescribed in accordance with paragraph 1.b of this article have been paid.
The benefit specified in Articles 62 and 63 shall be granted throughout the contingency.
Standards to be complied with by periodical payments
a a fitter or turner in the manufacture of machinery other than electrical machinery; or
b a person deemed typical of skilled labour selected in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 7 of this article; or
c a person whose earnings are equal to 125 per cent of the average earnings of all the persons protected.
a a person deemed typical of unskilled labour in the manufacture of machinery other than electrical machinery; or
b a person deemed typical of unskilled labour selected in accordance with the provisions of the following paragraph.
In the case of a periodical payment to which this article applies:
a the rate of the benefit shall be determined according to a prescribed scale or a scale fixed by the competent public authority in conformity with prescribed rules;
b such rate may be reduced only to the extent by which the other means of the family of the beneficiary exceed prescribed substantial amounts or substantial amounts fixed by the competent public authority in conformity with prescribed rules;
c the total of the benefit and any other means, after deduction of the substantial amounts referred to in sub-paragraph b of this article, shall be sufficient to maintain the family of the beneficiary in health and decency, and shall be not less than the corresponding benefit calculated in accordance with the requirements of Article 66;
d the provisions of sub-paragraph c of this article shall be deemed to be satisfied if the total amount of benefits paid under the part concerned exceeds, by at least 30 per cent, the total amount of benefits which would be obtained by applying the provisions of Article 66 and the provisions of:
- i Article 15.b for Part III;
- ii Article 27.b for Part V;
- iii Article 55.b for Part IX;
- iv Article 61.b for Part X.
Periodical payments to standard beneficiaries
Part | Contingency |
Standard beneficiary |
Percentage |
III | Sickness | Man with wife and two children | 45 |
IV | Unemployment | Man with wife and two children | 45 |
V | Old age | Man with wife of pensionable age | 40 |
VI | Employment injury : | ||
Incapacity for work | Man with wife and two children | 50 | |
Total loss of earning capacity | Man with wife and two children | 50 | |
Survivors | Widow with two children | 40 | |
VIII | Maternity | Woman | 45 |
IX | Invalidity | Man with wife and two children | 40 |
X | Survivors | Widow with two children | 40 |
Common provisions
A benefit to which a person protected would otherwise be entitled in compliance with any of Parts II to X of this Code may be suspended to such extent as may be prescribed:
a as long as the person concerned is absent from the territory of the Contracting Party concerned;
b as long as the person concerned is maintained at public expense, or at the expense of a social security institution or service, subject to a portion of the benefit being granted to the dependants of the beneficiary;
c as long as the person concerned is in receipt of another social security cash benefit, other than a family benefit, and during any period in respect of which he is indemnified for the contingency by a third party, subject to the part of the benefit which is suspended not exceeding the other benefit or the indemnity by a third party;
d where the person concerned has made a fraudulent claim;
e where the contingency has been caused by a criminal offence committed by the person concerned;
f where the contingency has been caused by the wilful misconduct of the person concerned;
g in appropriate cases, where the person concerned neglects to make use of the medical or rehabilitation services placed at his disposal or fails to comply with rules prescribed for verifying the occurrence or continuance of the contingency or for the conduct of the beneficiaries;
h in the case of unemployment benefit, where the person concerned has failed to make use of the employment services placed at his disposal;
i in the case of unemployment benefit, where the person concerned has lost his employment as a direct result of a stoppage of work due to a trade dispute, or has left it voluntarily without just cause; and
j in the case of survivors' benefit, as long as the widow is living with a man as his wife.
Miscellaneous provisions
This Code shall not apply to:
a contingencies which occurred before the coming into force of the relevant part of the Code for the Contracting Party concerned;
b benefits in contingencies occurring after the coming into force of the relevant part of the Code for the Contracting Party concerned in so far as the rights to such benefits are derived from periods preceding that date.
The Contracting Parties shall endeavour to conclude a special instrument governing questions relating to social security for foreigners and migrants, particularly with regard to equality of treatment with their own nationals and to the maintenance of acquired rights and rights in course of acquisition.
a full information concerning the laws and regulations by which effect is given to the provisions of this Code covered by the ratification; and
b evidence of compliance with the statistical conditions specified in:
Each Contracting Party shall report every two years to the Secretary General on the state of its law and practice in regard to any of Parts II to X of the Code which such Contracting Party has not specified in its ratification of the Code pursuant to Article 3 or in a notification made subsequently pursuant to Article 4.
Final provisions
Such report shall include a statement of:
a the relevant laws and regulations; and
b evidence of compliance with the statistical conditions specified in:
c all elements which the Signatory wishes to be taken into account, in accordance with Article 2, paragraphs 2 and 3.
Such evidence shall, as far as possible, be presented in such general order and manner as may be suggested by the Committee.
Each Contracting Party may denounce the Code or any one or more of Parts II to X thereof only at the end of a period of five years from the date on which the Code entered into force for such Contracting Party, or at the end of any successive period of five years, and in each case after giving one year's notice to the Secretary General. Such denunciation shall not affect the validity of the Code in respect of the other Contracting Parties, provided that at all times there are not less than three such Contracting Parties.
The Secretary General shall notify the member States of the Council of Europe, the government of any acceding State and the Director General of the International Labour Office:
i of the date of entry into force of this Code and the names of any members who ratify it;
ii of the deposit of any instrument of accession in accordance with Article 79 and of such notifications as are received with it;
iii of any notification received in accordance with Articles 4 and 80; or
iv of any notice received in accordance with Article 81.
The Annex to this Code shall form an integral part of it.
In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto, have signed this Protocol.
Done at Strasbourg, this 16th day of April 1964, in French and English, both texts being equally authoritative, in a single copy which shall remain deposited in the archives of the Council of Europe, and of which the Secretary General shall send certified copies to each of the signatory and acceding States and to the Director General of the International Labour Office.
Article 68.i
It shall be understood that Article 68.i of this Code is to be interpreted in accordance with the national legislation of each Contracting Party.
International standard industrial
classification of all economic activities
List of divisions and major groups
Division 0 - Agriculture, forestry, hunting and fishing:
Division 1 - Mining and quarrying:
Divisions 2-3 - Manufacturing:
Division 4 - Construction:
Division 5 - Electricity, gas, water and sanitary services:
Division 6 - Commerce:
Division 7 - Transport, storage and communications:
Division 8 - Services:
Division 9 - Activities not adequately described:
Supplementary services or advantages
Part II - Medical care
Part III - Sickness benefit
Part IV - Unemployment benefit
Part V - Old age benefit
a under Article 29, paragraph 2, or, where the benefit specified in Article 28 is conditional upon a period of residence and the Contracting Party concerned does not avail itself of Article 29, paragraph 3, after ten years of residence; and
b under Article 29, paragraph 5, subject to prescribed conditions regarding the previous economic activity of the person protected.
Part VII - Family benefit
Part VIII - Maternity benefit
Part IX - Invalidity benefit
a under Article 57, paragraph 2, or, where the benefit specified in Article 56 is conditional upon a period of residence and the Contracting Party concerned does not avail itself of Article 57, paragraph 3, after five years of residence; and
b for a person protected who, by reason only of his advanced age when the provisions concerned in the application of this part come into force, has not satisfied the conditions prescribed in accordance with Article 57, paragraph 2, subject to prescribed conditions regarding the previous economic activity of the person protected.
Part X - Survivors' benefit
a under Article 63, paragraph 2, or, where the benefit specified in Article 62 is conditional upon a period of residence, and the Contracting Party concerned does not avail itself of Article 63, paragraph 3, after five years of residence; and
b for persons protected whose breadwinner had not satisfied the conditions prescribed in accordance with Article 63, paragraph 2, by reason only of his advanced age when the provisions concerned in the application of this part came into force, subject to prescribed conditions regarding the previous economic activity of the breadwinner.
Parts II, III or X
i twenty times the daily previous earnings of the person protected which serve, or would have served, for the calculation of the survivors' benefit or sickness benefit, as the case may be, provided that the total benefit need not exceed twenty times the daily wage of the skilled male manual employee, determined in accordance with the provisions of Article 65; or
ii twenty times the daily wage of the ordinary adult male labourer, determined in accordance with the provisions of Article 66.