The A1 form is a document certifying that social security contributions (CAS) have been paid in the country of origin (in our case, Romania) for workers posted to an EU member state or for those who work simultaneously in several European countries.
The A1 portable document is issued under Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 on the coordination of social security systems and Regulation (EC) No 987/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of September 16, 2009, which apply between EU member states and the European Economic Area (EEA).
The A1 form must be presented, by the holder or the employer, to the competent inspection authority in the country where the work is carried out, to confirm the holder's social security status and to indicate the country in which social security contributions are paid.
Throughout the period of work abroad, the worker or their representatives must be able to present the A1 form to the host country authorities at any time.
The A1 form can only be issued by the country of origin (where the company is based – e.g. Romania). The host country is required to recognize the rights of the person who holds an A1 form.
Requirements for Getting the A1 Form Quickly
Why must a road transport company have the A1 form?
Because the A1 form is proof that social security contributions have been paid for posted employees.
Who does it apply to?
The A1 form applies to road transport companies carrying out loading, unloading or cabotage operations; the only exception is transit.
What the A1 form is for
The A1 form proves that the employee's social security contributions (CAS) have been paid in the member state of residence.
It is issued by the social security authority of the posting member state, CNPP (the National Public Pension Fund).
In short: through A1 form you prove that your employees (in your case, the drivers) are insured under the Romanian social security system.
When the A1 form must be presented
The A1 form must be kept on board the vehicle at all times and must be presented whenever the driver's documents are checked.
Good to know! It is recommended that the driver also carries the IMI posting declarations together with this form.
Who can apply for this document?
The A1 form can be requested by the following:
- Authorized self-employed individuals (PFA);
- Employers working in 2 or more countries;
- Posted self-employed workers;
- Self-employed workers in 2 or more countries;
- Contract staff;
- Civil servants.
Industries where the A1 form is most common
Anyone with employees posted to other European countries needs to submit an application file for the A1 form to avoid considerable fines and subsequent inspections, but the companies that request these forms most often are in the following industries:
Construction companies;
Transport companies:
- Freight transport & logistics;
- Passenger transport;
- Distribution and courier services;
- Livestock transport;
- Medical and pharmaceutical transport;
- Refrigerated transport;
What happens if I have an accident?
What happens if I have an accident while posted abroad? Will I still be covered by health insurance from my home country? What about my family?
YES — Both you and your family members will be covered for up to 2 years (regardless of whether you were posted by your employer or posted yourself as a self-employed worker).
Accidents can be of many kinds, from road accidents to workplace accidents!
To receive medical care in the country you are traveling to, you will need 2 documents:
- the European Health Insurance Card;
- the A1 form, which certifies your affiliation with the system in your home country;
How can I get it?
In Romania, to obtain the A1 form you need to put together an extensive file containing several documents from various institutions. This file is submitted to the National Public Pension Fund (CNPP) in Bucharest, together with an application for registering the file. The application receives a registration number from the National Public Pension Fund in Bucharest and thus becomes the document that proves the file has been submitted.
Preparing and submitting the file to CNPP – Bucharest is often a tedious process, and many hauliers and company administrators turn to third parties to prepare and submit the file for their employees. We ourselves began specializing in preparing and submitting A1 form application files after our haulier partners asked us for help.
The driver posting law (IMI postings)
The A1 form should be kept together with the IMI posting declarations and presented whenever the driver is asked for them during an inspection in any European country.
Since February 2, 2022, drivers performing any transport operation within the EU must be paid at least the minimum wage applicable in the countries where they load or unload goods.
The IMI declarations certify that the company's drivers meet the pay standard, i.e. they receive the minimum wage in the countries where they work: loading, unloading or cabotage. This declaration is required at European level and is mandatory for all companies carrying out these operations in the countries concerned
What an A1 form application file contains
The application file for the A1 form, or A1 forms (if there are several employees), is submitted to the National Public Pension Fund and must contain:
- The company’s registration certificate, issued by the local Trade Register office;
- The tax clearance certificate, issued by the competent territorial office of the National Agency for Fiscal Administration (ANAF), showing that the employer has no debts to the general consolidated budget as of the date the application for determining the applicable legislation is submitted;
- The employer's sworn statement showing the total number of employees with individual employment contracts as of the date of the application for determining the applicable legislation, the number of employees working in Romania and the number of employees posted/or loading/unloading goods in other countries;
- The certificate of registration status of the employer, issued by the territorial office of the Trade Register (ONRC) for the current month;
- Current financial statements of the trader in Romania or abroad, audited, approved and published in accordance with the legislation of the country where the trader is domiciled/headquartered;
- The employer's sworn statement certifying its turnover in Romania and in other countries over the last year, or since its incorporation, as applicable, or the employer's sworn statement certifying the number of loading and unloading operations carried out in Romania and in the various member states where these operations took place, over the last year, or since its incorporation, as applicable;
- A statement on the drivers' work pattern over the last 12 months and the estimated work pattern for the next 12/24 months, as applicable (the member states where the drivers normally work);
What can happen if I don't have the A1 form?
Not having this document within the European Union can result in fines for the driver and the company that employs them.
A real example: following an inspection in France, a truck driver was fined 3,269 euros for failing to present the A1 portable document.
Following an inspection in the EU member state where the work is carried out, for failing to present the A1 portable document, in addition to the fines imposed in that country, the Romanian authorities will be notified, namely the county ITM (Labor Inspectorate) and ANAF office in whose jurisdiction the Romanian company is headquartered. During an inspection carried out at the request of the foreign authorities, the Romanian authorities may request company documents going back 1-5 years.
*The fine does not apply if, at the inspection, you present a document proving that the application file for the A1 form has been submitted, followed by providing the form as soon as possible.
Get the A1 form in 4 simple steps
Only through CargoTrack's services can you get A1 form 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;
4 reasons to choose CargoTrack
- We simplify this complex process so you can focus on what matters in your business;
- Our team has the experience needed to compile and manage A1 form application files;
- We can save you from fines: for failure to present the A1 form the fine is 3,269 euros/employee;
- You avoid the stress of paperwork and the problems that can come up along the way;
- Fast turnaround. You just need to provide us with all the information, and the CargoTrack representative will provide the registration number/proof within 48 hours, in case this document needs to be presented to the authorities on the road.
Questions and Answers
What is the A1 form?
The A1 form is a document certifying that social security contributions (CAS, social insurance, etc.) for an employee who is posted or temporarily working in another EU country are paid in the country of origin — in our case, Romania.
Who needs the A1 form?
Any employee or worker posted to another EU member state, as well as those who work simultaneously in several countries — it is useful for employees, but also for employers who send staff abroad.
Why is it important to have the A1 form when working abroad?
Because the A1 form confirms that the employee is covered by social security in Romania — avoiding double social security coverage and having to pay contributions in the host country.
When must the A1 form be presented to authorities abroad?
The form must be presented by the employee or the employer, upon request, to the competent authorities of the country where the work is carried out, to prove that the person is insured in accordance with the law.
Who issues the A1 form in Romania?
In Romania, the form is issued by the National Public Pension Fund (CNPP).
How Long Is the A1 Form Valid?
A1 forms are generally issued for fixed periods — usually for temporary postings; in current practice, the rules on the maximum posting period set out in EU legislation apply.
What happens if you don't have the A1 form and work abroad?
Without the A1 form, the employee risks being insured under the legislation of the country where they work — which can lead to additional contribution obligations or the loss of certain rights.
Is the A1 form mandatory for any type of work or only for postings?
The A1 form is especially useful for temporary postings to another member state, but it also applies to those who work simultaneously in several countries.
Is the A1 form the same as a work permit?
No — the A1 form is not a work permit but a social security certificate; it does not automatically grant the right to work, it only proves where contributions are paid.
What are the main benefits of using the A1 form for employees and companies?
The benefits include keeping social security coverage in the country of origin, avoiding double coverage, clarity during inspections, simpler administrative formalities and compliance with EU regulations on postings.
