Social security CoC
and A1 form for posted workers
You’re a foreign company sending posted workers to your client in France?
Let us handle the red tape – so you can focus on your business.
Social security compliance isn’t just a formality – it’s essential to protecting your workers and staying on the right side of strict French regulations. A single misstep can have serious consequences, especially in the case of a workplace accident or a labor inspection.
As France’s leading experts in professional immigration, social security, and worker posting since 2004, we’ve managed thousands of cases for companies like yours.
We take care of 100% of the required social security formalities – quickly, efficiently, and with full compliance.
The certificate of social security coverage (COC or A1): the essential document for posted workers
- It is a mandatory document that the employer has to request for theirs employees sent abroad
- Any posted worker coming to work in France must hold a valid certificate of social security coverage (COC or A1 form) issued by the competent authority in their home country.
- This certificate must cover the entire duration of the assignment. It is the essential document for legal posting.
A few social security case studies
for your posted workers
Your Belgian posted worker is currently in Austria and is assigned to France for a 6-month mission
As an EU citizen, he must obtain an A1 form. You’ll need to contact the Austrian social security authorities before departure to request an A1 certificate covering the entire duration of the assignment in France.
You are an Indian company sending posted workers to France for 12 months
There is a bilateral social security agreement between France and India, but it is partial. This means the worker must apply for a Certificate of Coverage through the Indian social security authorities. In addition, the Indian employer must register with URSSAF in France to pay the required contributions. Once in France, the worker can then register with the French social security system.
You are posting an American employee to France for 3 months
There is a bilateral social security agreement between France and the United States. You’ll need to contact the U.S. social security authorities to request a Certificate of Coverage for the duration of the assignment.
Client testimonials
Let’s analyze your posting case together
- Book a free consultation to assess your situation
- We’ll propose a tailored procedure
- Receive a personalized quote
- Start the process with full end-to-end support from a dedicated expert
Posting is constantly evolving: stay up to date!
- Mandatory procedures to complete
- The authorities in charge of professional immigration in France
- Mandatory documents
- Immigration statuses
Posted Workers Alliance
- In 2021, we created the first alliance of best posted worker experts in each European country.
- This alliance supports you with all mandatory posting formalities across Europe.
Your questions
First scenario: Your posted worker has an employment contract in Europe. You must apply for Form A1 from the local social security authorities, covering the entire duration of the assignment in France.
Second scenario: Your posted worker works in a country that has signed a bilateral agreement with France. You must apply for a Certificate of Coverage (COC) from the local social security authorities, covering the entire duration of the assignment in France.
Third scenario: Your posted worker works in a country without a bilateral social security agreement with France. If your posted worker’s country of origin has not signed a bilateral social security agreement with France, then you must register your company with the URSSAF services in France (Service des Firmes Etrangères de l’URSSAF d’Alsace) to obtain a SIRET number. Indeed, as a company without an establishment in France, you must first register in order to pay your mandatory contributions. Secondly, your seconded employee will need to register with the French social security (CPAM).