Is there a common system of social rights in the EU?

Rather than harmonising national social security rights, EU provisions on social security law lay down common rules and common principles which have to be observed by all national authorities and institutions.

This ensures that the application of different national rules does not adversely affect persons exercising their rights to move to other EU member states. Thus, EU law guarantees equal treatment of all EU nationals under the various national laws. It ensures that all the necessary periods of insurance, residence and employment are taken into account as aggregate.

The rights of workers and their families are guaranteed as regard the place of residence.