Get rid of the bureaucratic monster A1 certificate!

Lower Saxony intends to launch an initiative in the Bundesrat to advocate for the abolition of the posting certificate required for work and business trips in other European countries.

This article is part of the special topic Bureaucratic madness in the craft industry

"Better to go to Singapore than to Belgium." This sigh can be heard Dr. Bernd Althusmann according to the Lower Saxony Ministry of Economic Affairs more often when he speaks to entrepreneurs. What he means is that employees in the EU who are subject to social insurance contributions have to pay a so-called A1 certificate This certificate is also known as "Posting certificate" known.

In 2017, over 300.000 posting certificates were issued nationwide. Bearbeitung by health insurance, pension insurance or professional pension scheme takes in some cases several weeksThis is particularly annoying when the assignment abroad becomes necessary at short notice, but also necessary when the assignment lasts only a few hours or when frequent assignments are made to the same EU country: The posting certificate must be reapplied for each time. Assignments abroad are often no longer possible.

Federal Minister of Economics has signaled interest

To abolition of the "Bureaucratic monster A1 certificate" Economics Minister Dr. Bernd Althusmann wants to Federal Council initiative Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Peter Altmaier has already signaled interest. Althusmann: "If it's easier for German entrepreneurs to service a plane in Singapore than in Belgium, then something's wrong. We need free movement of people within the European Union, especially for companies."

At the suggestion of the Lower Saxony Ministry of Economic Affairs, Foreign assignments of employees for up to 14 days without notification should be possible. In addition, a European online reporting platform will be introducedto simplify the application process.