In short: In Romania, the A1 form is issued free of charge by the National Public Pension House (CNPP), and the process takes anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. To obtain it, your company must generate at least 5% of its turnover in Romania (for transport) and have no debts to the state. There is no dedicated online system: the application is submitted in person or by mail to the CNPP. Note: not having the form during an inspection is punishable by a fine of 3,269 euros per employee.
Obtaining the A1 form can be a cumbersome process with a long waiting period. However, with the right information and support from specialists in the field, you will know exactly what you need and what the process involves.
In this article, we present the essential information about obtaining and using the A1 form.
What is the A1 form?
The A1 form is a document issued by the competent authorities of a European Union or European Economic Area member state that confirms a person's insured status under a particular social security system.
The main purpose of the A1 form is to prevent double insurance and to ensure that people who travel temporarily to another member state or within the European Economic Area remain covered by the social security system of the member state where they are normally insured, thereby avoiding the need to pay additional contributions in the country where they are temporarily working. This document is important for clarifying and regulating social security matters in the context of labor mobility within the European Union and the European Economic Area.
How Long Does It Take and How Much Does It Cost to Obtain the A1 Form?
In Romania, the A1 form is issued free of charge and is managed by the National Public Pension House (CNPP), the competent social security authority.
How long it takes to obtain the A1 form can vary depending on the volume of applications and the complexity of the case. Typically, the process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on how promptly all the required documents and information are provided.
It makes a big difference whether you choose to obtain the A1 form through a specialized company, which can communicate far more efficiently with the CNPP to receive regular updates on the status of the form.
Requirements for Obtaining the A1 Form
To obtain the A1 form, you must meet two minimum criteria:
- At least 5% of your company’s turnover must be generated in Romania in the transport sector, and at least 25% for other activities;
- You must have no debts to the state;
Once you meet these criteria, you can start the process of obtaining the A1 form.
How Can I Obtain the A1 Form?
You can obtain the A1 form without much effort if you hire a company to handle it for you.
The advantage is that specialists in the field prepare these applications regularly, so you can be sure everything will be in order, and they also communicate much more efficiently with the CNPP, which will keep you better informed.
You can obtain the A1 form With CargoTrack, in 4 simple steps:
- You email us all the information we need for the documentation;
- We prepare the declarations for you;
- We also handle sending the documentation to the CNPP – Bucharest;
- The final form will be automatically sent to you;
How to Apply for the A1 Form Online?
Currently, in Romania, there is no dedicated online system for applying for the A1 form. The procedure usually involves submitting the application and the required documents in person or by mail to the National Public Pension House (CNPP).
However, to make communication and the process easier, the CNPP provides certain online resources, such as the forms, applications, and information needed for the application, which can be downloaded from the official CNPP website.
How Long Is the A1 Form Valid?
In Romania, the A1 form is generally valid for the duration of the worker's posting to another European Union member state or within the European Economic Area, according to the employment contract or the service provided. It is important to note that there is no standard validity period for the A1 form in Romania, and it may vary depending on individual circumstances.
The A1 form is usually issued for a specified period that coincides with the employee's posting period, and its validity ends when that period expires or when the posting ends.
If the duration of the employee's posting is extended or changed while the A1 form is valid, the form may be extended or updated to reflect the new conditions and deadlines.
If you have a contract with a company that generates the A1 form for you, it can also take care of renewing the document on your behalf.
When Do I Need to Present the A1 Form at a Border Check?
In general, posted employees should have the A1 form available and be able to present it at a border check or at the request of the competent authorities in the host country when entering or temporarily residing in another European Union member state or within the European Economic Area. Presenting the A1 form is a way to show that the employee is covered by the social security system of the member state where they are normally insured, thereby avoiding double insurance and potential compliance issues with the applicable legislation.
It is important to have the A1 form throughout the entire posting period and to present it at the request of the competent authorities. Presenting the A1 form at a border check may be one of the first steps in establishing the worker's legal status and ensuring compliance with the requirements applicable in the host country.
We recommend that you provide all the required documents and follow the applicable procedures during border checks to avoid delays or problems. If the A1 form is missing or does not meet the authorities' requirements, you may face severe penalties, both as an employee and as an employer.
When Should I Update My A1 Form Details?
You must update your A1 form details whenever there are significant changes in the circumstances on which it was issued. Here are a few examples of when you would need to update your A1 form details:
- Change of workplace: If you move to another workplace or change employers, you must update the information in your A1 form to reflect the new workplace and the associated posting period.
- Extension of the posting: If the initial posting period expires and you want to extend the posting, you must update the A1 form to reflect the new posting period.
- Changes in working conditions: If your working conditions or occupational status change significantly (for example, you switch from being an employee to being self-employed, or vice versa), you need to update the details in your A1 form to reflect these changes.
- Other relevant changes: Any other changes that may affect your insured status or your social security rights should be reflected by updating the details in your A1 form.
Can I Be Fined If I Don't Have the A1 Form?
Employers who post their employees to work in another European Union country are required to present the A1 form to inspection officers. Without this form, the fine can be 3,269 euros per employee, and the fine doubles if the company fails to provide the form at a second inspection carried out within two years of notification of the first fine.
How CargoTrack Can Help You
Our specialists can obtain the A1 form for you through a transparent process.
We are by your side throughout the entire application process, as well as while you wait for the A1 form to be issued. Whenever you run into problems, we are here to talk.
Contact us now and get your A1 form!
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to obtain the A1 form?
In Romania, the A1 form is issued free of charge. The document is managed by the National Public Pension House (CNPP), the competent social security authority.
How long does it take to obtain the A1 form?
The time varies depending on the volume of applications and the complexity of the case: from a few weeks to several months of waiting. A lot depends on how promptly the required documents are provided and whether you work with a specialized company that maintains communication with the CNPP.
What requirements must I meet to obtain the A1 form?
There are two minimum criteria: at least 5% of the company's turnover must be generated in Romania in the transport sector (at least 25% for other activities), and you must have no debts to the state.
Can I apply for the A1 form online?
No, there is currently no dedicated online system in Romania for applying for the A1 form. The application and documents are submitted in person or by mail to the CNPP, but the forms and information needed can be downloaded from the official CNPP website.
How Long Is the A1 Form Valid?
There is no standard validity period: the form is usually issued for the duration of the worker's posting to another EU or EEA country, and its validity ends when that period expires or when the posting ends. If the posting is extended or changed, the form can be extended or updated.
What fine do I risk if I don't have the A1 form?
Without the A1 form during an inspection, the fine can be 3,269 euros per employee. The fine doubles if the company fails to provide the form at a second inspection carried out within two years of notification of the first fine.
