What is a "Posted Worker"?
A "Posted Worker" is an employee who is sent by their employer to work temporarily in another country (usually within the same company or group of companies). The term is commonly used in the context of the European Union (EU) and refers to situations where an employee from one EU member state is posted by their employer to work in another EU member state. This arrangement is short-term, typically for a specific project or timeframe.
What is the "Posted Worker Directive"?
The "Posted Worker Directive", short PWD, is a European Union regulation that safeguards the rights of these employees who are temporarily sent to work in another EU member state. It aims to ensure fair treatment, equal working conditions, and protection of workers' rights, including aspects like renumeration, working hours, and health and safety standards.
The directive requires host countries to apply local labor regulations to posted workers to prevent social dumping and maintain a level playing field in the single market. Employers must adhere to the directive's provisions to guarantee the well-being and rights of posted workers while promoting fair competition and cross-border labor mobility.
The following rights are protected by the PWD:
Working Conditions: Ensures that posted workers receive fair and equal working conditions compared to local employees in terms of working hours, rest periods, and holidays.
Renumeration: Guarantees that posted workers receive equal pay for equal work in the destination country.
Health and Safety: Ensures that posted workers have a safe and healthy working environment, adhering to the health and safety standards of the host country.
Social Security: Protects the rights of posted workers by ensuring access to social security benefits, such as healthcare and pensions.
Employment Rights: Safeguards employment rights, including protection against discrimination, freedom of association, and collective bargaining.
In which countries does WorkFlex support with PWD notifications?WorkFlex is the only single provider capable of handling PWD notifications across all 31 EU and EFTA countries. Our goal is to make this process as seamless as possible, however, procedures and documentation requirements vary widely between countries and, in some cases, even between regions or cantons.
This article summarizes our practical experience, including:
✅ A high-level summary of the PWD process per country
📝 Special requirements regarding information and documentation
🇪🇺 European Union (EU) Countries
🇪🇺 European Union (EU) Countries
Country | How & When to File | Authority & Confirmation | Key Requirements | Notes |
🇦🇹 Austria | Online via ZKO portal, before start of work | National; confirmation uploaded once submitted | Monthly salary, SSN and health insurance provider must be provided; A1 required for third-country nationals | If A1 is not covered, WorkFlex will email clients upon authorities’ request; A1 must be available for all nationals at inspection |
🇧🇪 Belgium | Online via LIMOSA portal, before start of work | National; confirmation uploaded within 24h | Account required (handled by WorkFlex); Standard weekly working hours: 38h | A1 should be available at inspection; PWD required for workations as well. |
🇧🇬 Bulgaria | Online via national portal, before start of work | National; confirmation uploaded within 24h | Account required per entity (handled by WorkFlex) | A1 should be available at inspection |
🇭🇷 Croatia | By email, before start of work | National; email confirmation uploaded within 24h | — | A1 should be available at inspection |
🇨🇾 Cyprus | By email, before start of work | National; email confirmation uploaded within 24h | A1 must be submitted to the Cypriot Department of Social Insurance (handled by WorkFlex) | If A1 not covered, WorkFlex emails clients after PWD submission with requirement and instructions |
🇨🇿 Czech Republic | Online via MPSV-SÚIP portal, before start of work | National; confirmation uploaded within 24h | Account required per entity (handled by WorkFlex); employment contract required at filing | A1 should be available at inspection |
🇩🇰 Denmark | Online via RUT portal, before start of work | National; confirmation uploaded within 24h | A1 should be uploaded at filing - PWD submission still possible without it | If A1 not covered, we flag it as applied for; A1 must be available in case of follow-up/inspection |
🇪🇪 Estonia | Online via TEIS portal, before start of work | National; confirmation uploaded within 24h | — | A1 should be available at inspection |
🇫🇮 Finland | Online via OSH portal, before start of work | National; confirmation uploaded within 24h | — | A1 should be available at inspection |
🇫🇷 France | Online via SIPSI portal, before start of work | National; confirmation uploaded within 24h | Account required per entity (handled by WorkFlex) | A1 should be available at inspection |
🇩🇪 Germany | Online via ZOLL portal, before start of work | National; confirmation uploaded within 24h | Account required per entity (handled by WorkFlex) | A1 should be available at inspection |
🇬🇷 Greece | By email, before start of work | Regional; initial email confirmation uploaded within 24h, and authority confirmation uploaded once received | Separate table including salary must be submitted with the PWD (handled by WorkFlex) | A1 should be available at inspection |
🇭🇺 Hungary | Online via MVFF portal, before start of work | National; confirmation uploaded within 24h | Account required (handled by WorkFlex) | A1 should be available at inspection |
🇮🇪 Ireland | By email, before start of work | National; email confirmation uploaded within 24h | Posted workers must provide their gross weekly salary at the submission | A1 should be available at inspection |
🇮🇹 Italy | Online via Cliclavoro portal, before start of work | National; confirmation uploaded within 24h | Employer profile required (WorkFlex handles); local contact person details required | A1 should be available at inspection |
🇱🇻 Latvia | Online via VDI portal, before start of work | National; confirmation uploaded within 24h | A1 number must be provided at submission | If A1 is not covered, a dummy number will be entered with a note that it will be applied soon; A1 should be available at inspection |
🇱🇹 Lithuania | Online via VDI portal, before start of work | National; confirmation uploaded within 24h | Confirmation of having an A1 is required; Account required per entity (handled by WorkFlex) | If A1 not covered, we flag it as obtained; A1 should be available at inspection |
🇱🇺 Luxembourg | Online via e-Détachement portal, before start of work | National; confirmation uploaded within 24h | A1 form, employment contract, and provision of services contract must be provided at filing; residence permit required for third-country nationals | If A1 is not covered, WorkFlex emails clients to upload it to the document center |
🇲🇹 Malta | Online portal, before start of work | National; confirmation email uploaded within 24h | Residence permit required for non-EU nationals | A1 should be available at inspection |
🇳🇱 Netherlands | Online via postedworkers.nl portal, before start of work | National; confirmation uploaded within 24h | A1 confirmation required; Employer contact person (handled by WorkFlex); Destination company contact person (client provides) | A1 should be available at inspection; Destination company contact person must accept the notification via their account |
🇵🇱 Poland | By post, before start of work | National; form uploaded in 24h and confirmation uploaded once delivered | Annual stamp duty is required per entity (handled by WorkFlex) | A1 should be available at inspection |
🇵🇹 Portugal | Online portal, before start of work | National; confirmation uploaded within 24h | — | A1 should be available at inspection |
🇷🇴 Romania | By email, at least 1 day before start of work | Regional; email confirmation uploaded within 24h | — | A1 should be available at inspection |
🇸🇰 Slovakia | Online portal, before start of work | National; confirmation uploaded within 24h | Account required per entity (handled by WorkFlex) | A1 should be available at inspection |
🇸🇮 Slovenia | Online portal, before start of work | National; confirmation uploaded within 24h | — | A1 should be available at inspection |
🇪🇸 Spain | Online portal, before start of work - only for posting more than 8 working days | Regional - process vary per region; confirmation uploaded within 24h | Spanish digital certificate must be issued (handled by WorkFlex); Contact person required (handled by WorkFlex) | A1 should be available at inspection |
🇸🇪 Sweden | Online via Arbetsmiljöverket portal, before start of work | National; confirmation uploaded within 24h | Account required per entity (handled by WorkFlex); Local contact person required (provided by WorkFlex) | A1 should be available at inspection |
🇪🇫 European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Countries
🇪🇫 European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Countries
Country | How & When to File | Authority & Confirmation | Key Requirements | Notes |
🇮🇸 Iceland | Online via Vinnumálastofnun portal; before start of work | National; confirmation uploaded within 24h | Confirmation of having an A1 is required; Account required per entity (handled by WorkFlex) | If A1 not covered, we flag it as applied for; A1 must be available in case of follow-up/inspection |
🇱🇮 Liechtenstein | Online via EMS portal; for EU/EEA postings: before start of work; for CH/non-EU/EEA postings: at least 8 days before start of work | National; submission receipt uploaded within 24h and confirmation uploaded once received | Account required per entity (handled by WorkFlex) | A1 should be available at inspection; Service provision limited to 90 days per entity per calendar year; Changes or cancellations can only be made before the start of work |
🇳🇴 Norway | Online portal, before start of work | National; confirmation uploaded within 24h | Norwegian org. number; D-number for contact person & posted workers (handled by client); Once the org. and contact person’s numbers are available, each worker without a D-number receives an email with step-by-step booking instructions and a checklist of required documents for the appointment | A1 should be available at inspection; the worker’s D-number cannot be obtained online, an appointment with the Norwegian Tax Administration must be booked in advance, and the employee must attend in person — preferably before their first working day in the country |
🇨🇭 Switzerland | Online via EasyGov portal, at least 8 days before start of work | Canton; submission receipt uploaded within 24h and canton confirmation uploaded once received | UID number; SSN and Posted worker salary; Start date of the residence permit and copy of the passport/ID for third-country nationals required; Local contact person (client provides) | A1 should be available at inspection; Service provision limited to 90 days per entity per calendar year; Changes or cancellations can only be made before the start of work |
💡 Key Takeaways
PWD Coverage: WorkFlex supports PWD notifications in all 31 countries where they are required. Notifications are submitted within 24 hours of receiving complete information.
Power of Attorney (POA): A valid POA is always required for WorkFlex to act on your behalf — even if your company is based outside the EEA or Switzerland.
Questionnaire: Make sure to complete the questionnaire accurately when submitting a new trip request. Every question is mandatory for the PWD registration.
Documents: Make sure to provide all requested documents in full and on time. Missing or incomplete documents cause delays and additional authority follow-up.
Submission timeline: As a general rule, WorkFlex requires requests to be submitted at least 3 days before the start date. For late requests, please add a ticket on the platform or contact [email protected]
By sharing these requirements transparently, we aim to manage expectations and ensure smoother cooperation.