Social protection schemes between the 30 countries of the European Union (EU) (1) and the European Economic Area (EEA) (2) have been coordinated. This coordination aims to facilitate the free movement of persons. (3)
In the field of health insurance, for example, it prevents the same person from being uninsured or being insured twice within the EU-EEA.
Before the accession of Romania and Bulgaria, effective since 1 January 2007, France was bound by a bilateral social security agreement only with Romania (Convention of 16 December 1976). As of January 1, 2007, this agreement is no longer applicable. The Community regulations replace this old agreement from the same date.
An employed or self-employed person affiliated to the French social security system who is expatriated to another Member State is insured, save in exceptional cases, in the country where he/she carries out his/her professional activity and must contribute to the social security system of that country.