Social Security reciprocal agreement with Iceland (FOI)

​Request

We are working on a project about social security all over the world and I am currently dealing with the social security agreements of Jersey. Moreover, we are also investigating the processes on how to get the Certificate of Coverage when an employee is temporarily posted in another country and wants to stay affiliated to his national social security system.

In this sense, I have some questions about social security in Jersey and it would be grateful if you could help me.

A

With which countries did Iceland sign social security agreements? Are they the same ones of the UK?

B

Could you please let me know the process to apply in Jersey to get the certificate of coverage (eg online, by post, by mail, in person)? What is the necessary documentation to provide?

C

Who has to apply for it?

D

How long does the process usually take to issue the certificate following an application?

E

Finally, is it possible for a law firm to apply on behalf of an employer or employee? If so, what would they need? Any specific authorisation, proxy or registration?

Response

The Social Security (Reciprocal Agreement with Iceland) (Jersey) Act 1985 states that if a person is employed by an employer in Iceland, but sent to work in Jersey, they may pay their contributions to Iceland for the first year, with an option to extend for a further year.

See attached link to the law;

Social Security (Reciprocal Agreement with Iceland) (Jersey) Act 1985

A

Social Security do not hold information on which countries Iceland holds agreements with nor whether the agreements Iceland holds are the same as the UK. The Social Security (Reciprocal Agreement with Iceland) (Jersey) Act 1985 linked above is the Act which Jersey is party to with Iceland. The Convention on Social Security between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Iceland is set out as a schedule of this Act which was signed in London on 28 June 1985.

B

For an employee leaving Jersey for a secondment to another country such as Iceland the process is as follows:

The employer or nominated representative will make an application for secondment to the Social Security Department for their chosen employee, the application requires the following information:

• employee’s name

• employee’s Social Security number

• their representative in Iceland (normally a named contact in the place of business)

• the employee’s expected dates of arrival and departure based upon the secondment agreed

The application is normally received in writing either by letter or e-mail.

The address for letters is: Social Security Department, P.O. BOX 55, Philip Le Feuvre House, La Motte Street, St Helier, Jersey, JE4 8PE.

The E-mail address for application is: sscontributions@gov.je

C

Normally the employer or nominated representative will apply on behalf of the employee.

D

Once the application is received we can respond with the necessary certificate within one business day.

E

You can apply for the secondment certificate if you are the chosen representative of the employee or employer. There is currently no requirement for any other authorisation, proxy or registration as it is normally the employer who applies directly.