Pearle* welcomes the provisional agreement reached on the revision of Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 on the coordination of social security systems and Regulation (EC) No 987/2009 laying down its implementing rules. 

The agreement appears to bring useful clarifications to the rules on applicable legislation, in particular under Articles 12 and 13, which are highly relevant for employers, employees and self-employed professionals working temporarily or regularly across borders.  

Pearle* particularly welcomes the intention to simplify procedures through digitalisation, automatic acknowledgements of A1 requests, and exemptions from prior notification requirements for business trips and certain very short cross-border activities. 

“The disproportionate administrative burden for very short-term postings of less than 3 days has been an issue addressed by Pearle* for many years and the new rules can facilitate artistic cross-border activity.” said Anita Debaere, Director of Pearle* 

Pearle* also notes the changes concerning unemployment benefits, which may be particularly relevant for artists and cultural professionals with intermittent careers and cross-border work patterns, including where national systems include specific arrangements linked to the status of artists. 

At the same time, the practical implementation of the agreement will be crucial. Further assessment will be needed to understand how the revised rules will interact with national systems and how they will apply in practice to project-based work, short-notice engagements, touring and frequent cross-border mobility. 

Pearle* will continue to follow the file closely and calls for clear guidance and proportionate implementation that reflects the specific realities of the live performance sector.