At a glance
- The Fair Labour Mobility Package introduces a European Social Security Pass (ESSPASS) enabling digital storage and presentation of social security documents, including the European Health Insurance Card and portable document A1, through the EU Digital Identity Wallet.
- A Skills Portability Act will standardise the digital format for qualifications and create an EU-wide comparison tool, while amendments to the Professional Qualifications Directive will introduce faster digital recognition procedures.
- A proposed Regulation will strengthen the European Labour Authority (ELA).
- A new Directive will set common standards for recognising qualifications obtained outside the EU.
On 15 September 2026, the Commission adopted the Fair Labour Mobility Package comprising a Communication on fair labour mobility and five legislative proposals.
European Social Security Pass
The proposed ESSPASS Regulation will enable individuals to request, store and present key social security documents digitally through the EU Digital Identity Wallet. This includes the European Health Insurance Card and the portable document A1 for posted workers, which confirms where social security contributions are paid.
Skills Portability Act and professional qualifications
The Skills Portability Act will establish a standardised digital format for qualifications, making them available through the EU Digital Identity Wallet. A new EU qualifications comparison tool will allow employers and workers to compare qualifications across Member States.
Strengthened European Labour Authority
The proposed Regulation will equip the European Labour Authority (ELA) with stronger tools to support Member States in enforcing EU law. It will improve the ELA’s capacity to provide risk assessment for inspections and reinforce cross-border cooperation through dedicated national inspection liaison officers.
Next steps
The proposals must now be adopted by the European Parliament and the Council through the ordinary legislative procedure. No date for entry into force has been set. The timelines for implementation are relative to the date of adoption or entry into force:
- Portable document A1: digitalised one year after the ESSPASS Regulation enters into force.
- European Health Insurance Card and other social security documents: within three years of the ESSPASS Regulation entering into force.
- Simpler recognition of non-EU qualifications: within two years of adoption of the Skills Portability Act.
- Digital qualifications in the EU Digital Identity Wallet and easier recognition for regulated professions: within three years of adoption.
More to explore
