Transferring your social security entitlements abroad

Information

If you move to live or work in a country covered by EU Regulations, this means that for social security benefits or services, you are entitled to be treated in the same way as the nationals in the EEA country that you move to. On a practical level, this means that you and your family are entitled to apply for any benefits or assistance available in the country in which you reside. If you are applying for insurance-based payments, any contributions made in other EEA countries should be taken into account.

Before you leave Ireland

If you are moving within the EEA or Switzerland you should obtain forms S1 (formerly E104) and U1 (formerly E301) before you leave Ireland - see 'How to apply' below. These forms provide details of your Irish social insurance record and you will need them in order to claim sickness or unemployment benefits abroad. Form S1 is needed if you apply for sickness benefit purposes and Form U1 is required for jobseeker's or unemployment benefit purposes.

If you have this information when leaving Ireland, it will ensure that your social welfare claim in another country is processed more quickly. If not, the relevant country will have to write to the Irish authorities and obtain a record of your insurance contributions. Similarly, when you return to Ireland from a country in the EEA, you should bring these forms back with you as they will provide details of the insurance contributions you made in that country. The forms are presented at the relevant social security agency of the country you are living in when you are making a claim.

Transfer of Jobseeker's Benefit abroad

If you go to another EEA country to look for work you may be able to transfer your Jobseeker's Benefit (JB) for up to 13 weeks. You must be getting Jobseeker's Benefit for 4 weeks before you can transfer it to another EEA coutry. From 1 May 2010 new EU Regulations came into effect (pdf) which mean that if you apply to transfer your Jobseeker's Benefit, it will be paid directly to you. You will still be required to register with the employment services of the country where you have gone to look for work within a week. You must take form Form U2 (which is replacing Form E303) to the social services of the country you are travelling to. You can get a completed Form U2 from your local social welfare office.

The 13-week period of payment may be extended to 6 months in exceptional circumstances. Also you may now transfer your JB payment more than once while you are unemployed provided you do not exceed the maximum period of 13 weeks (6 months if extended).

How to apply

You can download the application form to request the forms (pdf) which provide details of your social insurance record. The E301 and E104 forms may still be in use and are valid until 2012.

You should send the completed application form to the International Records Section of the Department of Social Protection (DSP). With your application, you must include a copy of your P45, a copy of your P60 and remember to include the address abroad where you will be staying when you leave Ireland.

Processing your application can take some time as the DSP may have to contact your former employer before the S1 and U1 forms can be issued. You should allow one month before contacting the International Records Section by telephone to enquire about your application.

Where to apply

International Records Section

Department of Social Protection
Inner Relief Road
Ardarvan
Buncrana
Donegal
IRELAND
Tel: +353 (0)1 471 5898
Locall: 1890 690 690
Homepage: http://www.welfare.ie/