European Interim Agreement on Social Security Schemes Relating to Old Age, Invalidity and Survivors

The governments signatory hereto, being members of the Council of Europe,

Considering that the aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve greater unity between its members for the purpose, among others, of facilitating their social progress;

Affirming the principle that the nationals of any one of the Contracting Parties to this Agreement should receive under the laws and regulations of any other Contracting Party relating to benefits payable in respect of old age, invalidity or survivors, equal treatment with the nationals of the latter, a principle sanctioned by Conventions of the International Labour Organisation;

Affirming also the principle that the nationals of any one of the Contracting Parties should receive the benefits of agreements relating to old age, invalidity and survivors concluded by any two or more of the other Contracting Parties;

Desirous of giving effect to these principles by means of an Interim Agreement pending the conclusion of a general convention based on a network of bilateral agreements,

Have agreed as follows:

Article 1

This Agreement shall apply to all social security laws and regulations which are in force at the date of signature or may subsequently come into force in any part of the territory of the Contracting Parties and which relate to:
1. benefits in respect of old age;
2. benefits in respect of invalidity, other than those awarded under an employment injury scheme;
3. benefits payable to survivors, other than death grants or benefits awarded under an employment injury scheme.
This Agreement shall apply to schemes of contributory and non-contributory benefits. It shall not apply to public assistance, special schemes for civil servants or benefits paid in respect of war injuries or injuries due to foreign occupation.
For the purpose of this Agreement the word "benefit" shall include any increase in or supplement to the benefit.
The terms "nationals" and "territory" of a Contracting Party shall have the meaning assigned to them by such a Party in a declaration addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe for communication to all other Contracting Parties.

Article 2

Subject to the provisions of Article 9, a national of any one of the Contracting Parties shall be entitled to receive the benefits of the laws and regulations of any other of the Contracting Parties under the same conditions as if he were a national of the latter, provided that:
1. in the case of invalidity benefit under either a contributory or non-contributory scheme he had become ordinarily resident in the territory of the latter Contracting Party before the first medical certification of the sickness responsible for such invalidity;
2. in the case of benefit payable under a non-contributory scheme, he has been resident in that territory for a period in the aggregate of not less than fifteen years after the age of twenty, has been ordinarily resident without interruption in that territory for at least five years immediately preceding the claim for benefit and continues to be ordinarily resident in that territory;
3. in the case of benefit payable under a contributory scheme, he is resident in the territory of any one of the Contracting Parties.
In any case where the laws and regulations of any one of the Contracting Parties impose a restriction on the rights of a national of that Party who was not born in its territory, a national of any other of the Contracting Parties born in the territory of the latter shall be treated as if he were a national of the former Contracting Party born in its territory.

Article 3

Any agreement relating to the laws and regulations referred to in Article 1 which has been or may be concluded by any two or more of the Contracting Parties shall, subject to the provisions of Article 9, apply to a national of any other of the Contracting Parties as if he were a national of one of the former Parties insofar as it provides, in relation to those laws and regulations:
1. for determining under which laws and regulations a person should be insured;
2. for maintaining acquired rights and rights in course of acquisition and, in particular, for adding together insurance periods and equivalent periods for the purpose of establishing the right to receive benefit and calculating the amount of benefit due;
3. for paying benefit to persons residing in the territory of any one of the Parties to such agreement;
4. for supplementing and administering the provisions of such agreement referred to in this paragraph.
The provisions of paragraph 1 of this article shall not apply to any provision of the said agreement which concerns benefits provided under a non-contributory scheme, unless the national concerned has been resident in the territory of the Contracting Party under whose laws and regulations he claims benefit for a period in the aggregate of not less than fifteen years after the age of twenty and has been ordinarily resident without interruption in that territory for a period of at least five years immediately preceding the claim for benefit.

Article 4

Subject to the provisions of any relevant bilateral and multilateral agreements, benefits which in the absence of this Agreement have not been awarded, or have been suspended, shall be awarded or reinstated from the date of the entry into force of this Agreement for all the Contracting Parties concerned with the claim in question, provided that the claim thereto is presented within one year after such date or within such longer period as may be determined by the Contracting Party under whose laws and regulations the benefit is claimed. If the claim is not presented within such period, the benefit shall be awarded or reinstated from the date of the claim or such earlier date as may be determined by the latter Contracting Party.

Article 5

The provisions of this Agreement shall not limit the provisions of any national laws or regulations, international conventions, or bilateral or multilateral agreements which are more favourable for the beneficiary.

Article 6

This Agreement shall not affect those provisions of national laws or regulations which relate to the participation of insured persons, and of other categories of persons concerned, in the management of social security.

Article 7

Annex I to this Agreement sets out in relation to each Contracting Party the social security schemes to which Article 1 applies which are in force in any part of its territory at the date of signature of this Agreement.
Each Contracting Party shall notify the Secretary General of the Council of Europe of every new law or regulation of a type not included in Annex I in relation to that Party. Such notifications shall be made by each Contracting Party within three months of the date of publication of the new law or regulation, or if such law or regulation is published before the date of ratification of this Agreement by the Contracting Party concerned, at that date of ratification.

Article 8

Annex II to this Agreement sets out in relation to each Contracting Party the agreements concluded by it to which Article 3 applies which are in force at the date of signature of this Agreement.
Each Contracting Party shall notify the Secretary General of the Council of Europe of every new agreement concluded by it to which Article 3 applies. Such notification shall be made by each Contracting Party within three months of the date of coming into force of the agreement, or if such new agreement has come into force before the date of ratification of this Agreement, at that date of ratification.

Article 9

Annex III to this Agreement sets out the reservations hereto made at the date of signature.
Any Contracting Party may, at the time of making a notification in accordance with Article 7 or Article 8, make a reservation in respect of the application of the present Agreement to any law, regulation or agreement which is referred to in such notification. A statement of any such reservation shall accompany the notification concerned; it will take effect from the date of entry into force of the new law, regulation or agreement.
Any Contracting Party may withdraw either in whole or in part any reservation made by it by a notification to that effect addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. Such notification shall take effect on the first day of the month following the month in which it is received and this Agreement shall apply accordingly.

Article 10

The annexes to this Agreement shall constitute an integral part of this Agreement.

Article 11

Arrangements, where necessary, between the competent authorities of the Contracting Parties shall determine the methods of implementation of this Agreement.
The competent authorities of the Contracting Parties concerned shall endeavour to resolve by negotiation any dispute relating to the interpretation or application of this Agreement.
If any such dispute has not been resolved by negotiation within a period of three months, the dispute shall be submitted to arbitration by an arbitral body whose composition and procedure shall be agreed upon by the Contracting Parties concerned, or, in default of such agreement, within a further period of three months, by an arbitrator chosen at the request of any of the Contracting Parties concerned by the President of the International Court of Justice. Should the latter be a national of one of the Parties to the dispute, this task shall be entrusted to the Vice-President of the Court or to the next judge in order of seniority not a national of one of the Parties to the dispute.
The decision of the arbitral body, or arbitrator, as the case may be, shall be made in accordance with the principles and spirit of this Agreement and shall be final and binding.

Article 12

In the event of the denunciation of this Agreement by any of the Contracting Parties,

any right acquired by a person in accordance with its provisions shall be maintained and, in particular, if he has, in accordance with its provisions, acquired the right to receive any benefit under the laws and regulations of one of the Contracting Parties while he is resident in the territory of another, he shall continue to enjoy that right;
subject to any conditions which may be laid down by supplementary agreements concluded by the Contracting Parties concerned for the settlement of any rights then in course of acquisition, the provisions of this Agreement shall continue to apply to insurance periods and equivalent periods completed before the date when the denunciation becomes effective.

Article 13

This Agreement shall be open to the signature of the members of the Council of Europe. It shall be ratified. Instruments of ratification shall be deposited with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
This Agreement shall come into force on the first day of the month following the date of deposit of the second instrument of ratification.
As regards any signatory ratifying subsequently, the Agreement shall come into force on the first day of the month following the date of the deposit of its instrument of ratification.

Article 14

The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe may invite any State not a member of the Council of Europe to accede to this Agreement.
Accession shall be effected by the deposit of an instrument of accession with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, which shall take effect on the first day of the month following the date of deposit.
Any instrument of accession deposited in accordance with this article shall be accompanied by a notification of such information as would be contained in the Annexes I and II to this Agreement if the government of the State concerned were, on the date of accession, a signatory hereto.
For the purposes of this Agreement any information notified in accordance with paragraph 3 of this article shall be deemed to be part of the annex in which it would have been recorded if the government of the State concerned were a signatory hereto.

Article 15

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall notify:

the members of the Council and the Director General of the International Labour Office:
1. of the date of entry into force of this Agreement and the names of any members who ratify it;
2. of the deposit of any instrument of accession in accordance with Article 14 and of such notifications as are received with it;
3. of any notification received in accordance with Article 16 and its effective date;
the Contracting Parties and the Director General of the International Labour Office:
1. of any notifications received in accordance with Articles 7 and 8;
2. of any reservation made in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 9;
3. of the withdrawal of any reservation in accordance with paragraph 3 of Article 9.

Article 16

This Agreement shall remain in force for a period of two years from the date of its entry into force in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 13. Thereafter it shall remain in force from year to year for such Contracting Parties as have not denounced it by a notification to that effect addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe at least six months before the expiry either of the preliminary two-year period, or of any subsequent yearly period. Such notification shall take effect at the end of the period to which it relates.

In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto, have signed this Agreement.

Done at Paris, this 11th day of December 1953, in the English and French languages, both texts being equally authoritative, in a single copy which shall remain in the archives of the Council of Europe and of which the Secretary General shall send certified copies to each of the signatories and to the Director General of the International Labour Office.

Annexes

Annexes I, II and III to the European Interim Agreement on Social Security Schemes relating to Old Age, Invalidity and Survivors

Interpretation of the terms "nationals" and "territory" of the European Interim Agreements on Social Security

Annex I – Social Security Schemes to which the Agreement applies

Annex II – Bilateral and Multilateral Agreements to which the Agreement applies

Annex III – Reservations to the Agreement formulated by the Contracting Parties

Annex I – Social Security Schemes to which the Agreement applies

Belgium

Laws and regulations relating to :

a. The income guaranteed to aged persons.

b. Retirement and survivors' pensions : schemes for employed persons and for self-employed persons.

c. Sickness and invalidity insurance : schemes for employed persons and for self-employed persons.

d. Allowances for handicapped persons.

The schemes listed under a. and d. are of a non-contributory nature, the others being contributory.

Cyprus

Social Insurance Law and the Regulations made thereunder which establish a scheme providing benefits in respect of old-age, invalidity and benefits payable to survivors (widow's pension and orphan's benefit).

The scheme is of a contributory nature.

Czech Republic

Schemes regulated by the Social Insurance Act related to :

a. old-age pensions.

b. invalidity pensions.

c. survival pension (widow, widower and orphan pension).

All the above are contributory schemes.

Denmark

Laws and regulations relating to :

a. Old-age pensions.

b. Invalidity pensions.

c. Widow's pensions (to be abolished with effect from 1 January 1984).

d. The Labour Market Supplementary Pension.

All these schemes are of a non-contributory nature, with the exception of the Labour Market Supplementary Pension which implies contributions from the employers and the employees.

Estonia

Laws and regulations relating to:

a. Old age pensions;

b. National pensions;

c. Invalidity pensions;

d. Survivors pensions;

e. Social tax.

The schemes listed under a, c and d are contributory social security schemes. The scheme mentioned under b. is non-contributory.

France

Laws and regulations relating to :

a. The organisation of social security.

b. General provisions governing the social insurance system applicable to insured persons in non-agriculture employment.

c. Social insurance provisions applicable to employed persons, and persons treated as employed persons, in agricultural employment.

d. Allowances granted to aged employees.

e. Allowances granted to aged persons other than employees.

f. Special social security schemes.

g. Laws on special allowances.

h. Allowances for compensation to the blind and to seriously disabled workers.

i. The additional benefit paid by the Fonds national de Solidarité.

j. Law No. 65/555 of 10 July 1965, published in the Official Gazette of the French Republic on 11 July 1965, extending to all persons of French nationality working elsewhere than on French territory (whether employees or not) the option of joining the voluntary insurance scheme.

k. Law No. 76-1287 of 31 December 1976, published in the Official Gazette of the French Republic on 1 January 1977, relating to the situation with regard to the social security of French workers seconded or expatriated abroad.

l. Law No. 80-471 of 27 June 1980, published in the Official Gazette of the French Republic of 28 June 1980, extending the social protection of French nationals abroad.

m. Law No. 84-604 of 13 July 1984, published in the Official Gazette of the French Republic of 14 July 1984, adopting various measures relating to the improvement of the social protection of French nationals abroad.

The schemes listed under a., b., c. and f. above are of a contributory nature.

The schemes listed under d., g., h. and i. are non-contributory.

The laws relating to e. provide, first, for a permanent scheme of a contributory nature, and, secondly, for a temporary scheme of a non-contributory nature applied to persons who do not fulfil the conditions governing payment of contributions prescribed under the contributory scheme.

Germany

Laws and regulations relating to :

a. Pension insurance for manual workers.

b. Pension insurance for salaried employees and artisans.

c. Pension insurance for miners.

All these schemes are of a contributory nature.

Greece

Laws and regulations relating to :

a. Social insurance.

b. Special pension schemes for certain categories of workers, including certain liberal professions (lawyers, doctors, civil engineers, etc.).

These schemes are of a contributory nature.

c. The system of family allowances applicable to employed persons (Legislative Decree No. 3868/1959 and Regulations).

d. Social Insurance for agricultural workers (Law 4169/1961, Legislative Decrees and Regulations).

Iceland

Laws and regulations relating to :

a. Old-age pensions.

b. Invalidity pensions.

c. i. Children's annuities.

ii. Widows' annuities.

For the purpose of this Agreement, these schemes are accepted as non-contributory.

Ireland

Laws and regulations relating to :

a. Non-contributory Old Age and Blind Persons' Pensions.

b. Contributory Old Age, Retirement and Invalidity Pensions.

c. Widows' and Orphans' pensions, contributory and non-contributory.

d. Disabled persons' (maintenance) allowances.

The scheme listed under d. above is non-contributory.

Italy

Laws and regulations relating to :

a. General compulsory insurance in case of invalidity, old age and death.

b. Special compulsory insurance schemes for certain categories of employees.

These schemes are of a contributory nature.

Latvia

Laws and regulations relating to:

a. State social insurance;

b. State pensions;

c. Social assistance concerning State social provision allowances.

Lithuania

Lithuanian laws and regulations relating to:

a. old-age pensions;

b. invalidity pensions;

c. widows and orphans (survivors) pensions;

d. social pensions.

All these schemes, except paragraph d., are contributory.

Luxembourg

Laws and regulations relating to :

a. Pensions insurance for wage earners.

b. Pensions insurance for salaried employees in private employment (including intellectual self-employed persons).

c. Supplementary insurance for wage earners in mining and metal working, technicians employed in underground mines and professional drivers.

d. Pensions insurance for artisans and for self-employed persons in commerce and industry.

e. Pensions insurance for agricultural cultivators.

The schemes are all contributory except the provisional pensions for artisans.

Netherlands

Laws and regulations relating to :

a. Insurance in case of incapacity for work.

b. General insurance in case of incapacity for work.

c. General old-age insurance.

d. Pension scheme for minors.

e. General insurance for widows and orphans.

The schemes mentioned under a., b., d. and e. are contributory. The legislation mentioned under c. introduces a permanent contributory scheme and a transitional non-contributory scheme for persons no longer entitled to normal benefit by reason of their advanced age at the time when this legislation came into force.

Norway

Laws and regulations relating to :

a. Old-age, invalidity and survivors pensions under the National Insurnce Act of 17 June 1966.

b. Special Supplement to benefits from the National Insurance Scheme under the Act of 19 June 1969.

c. Compensation Supplement to benefits from the National Insurance Scheme under the Act of 19 December 1969.

d. Pension insurance for seamen under the Act of 3 December 1948.

e. Pension insurance for forestry workers under the Act of 3 December 1951.

f. Pension insurance for fishermen under the Act of 28 June 1957.

The schemes listed under a. are non-contributory as far as the basic pension is concerned and contributory as far as the supplementary pension is concerned. The schemes listed under b. and c. are non-contributory while the schemes listed under d., e. and f. are contributory.

Portugal

Laws and regulations on :

a. benefits in respect of invalidity and old age;

b. benefits in respect of death (survivors);

c. special schemes for specific ranks of workers, insofar as they relate to the benefits mentioned in the sub-paragraphs here-above.

All these schemes are contributory.

Spain

Laws and regulations relating to :

a. Old-age benefits (pension).

b. Invalidity benefits.

c. Survivors' benefits from the general scheme and the special schemes of Social Security.

These schemes are of a contributory nature.

Sweden

Laws and regulations relating to :

National Basic Pensions under the National Insurance Act of 25 May 1962 (No. 381) which came into force on 1 January 1963.

This scheme is non-contributory.

Turkey

a. The Social Insurance legislation in force applying to employed persons, excluding agricultural workers other than those employed in forestry works and those employed on wages in the public or private agricultural works and those employed in such works which are related to agricultural crafts or carried out at agricultural work places without being considered as agricultural works and those employed in parks, gardens or plant nurseries or in similar works at such work places which are not considered as agricultural work places :

i. Invalidity insurance

ii. Old-age insurance

iii. Survivors' insurance.

b. The legislation pertaining to the special regime applying to the Social Insurance Funds which have been taken into the scope of the social insurance system and which, as a minimum requirement, are charged with the application of the above legislation.

c. The Social Insurance legislation applied to small businessmen and artisans and other self-employed persons :

i. Invalidity insurance

ii. Old-age insurance

iii. Survivors' insurance.

The above schemes are contributory.

United Kingdom

Laws and regulations concerning Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man :

a. Establishing insurance schemes in respect of sickness, widowhood, orphanhood and old age.

b. Relating to supplementary pensions and non-contributory invalidity pensions.

The schemes mentioned under a. are contributory. The schemes mentioned under b. are non-contributory.

Annex II – Bilateral and Multilateral Agreements to which the Agreement applies

Belgium

a. Convention between Belgium and the Netherlands in respect of the application of the legislation of the two countries as regards social insurance, dated 29 August 1947.

b. General Convention between Belgium and France on social security, dated 17 January 1948.

c. General Convention between Belgium and Italy on social security, dated 30 April 1948.

d. General Convention between Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on social security, dated 3 December 1949.

e. Multilateral Convention on social security concluded by the Brussels Treaty Powers on 7 November 1949.

f. Agreement on the social security of Rhine boatmen, dated 27 July 1950, revised on 13 February 1961.

g. Convention between Belgium, France and Italy on social security, dated 19 January 1951.

h. Convention on social security between His Majesty the King of the Belgians and Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britian and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth, signed at Brussels on 20 May 1957.

i. (i) General Convention on social security between the Kingdom of Belgium and the Federal Republic of Germany, Supplementary Agreements and Final Protocol, signed at Bonn on 7 December 1957 (entry into force: 9 November 1963, with retroactive effect from 1 January 1959).

(ii) Supplementary Protocol to the General Convention on social security, to the third Supplementary Agreement and to the Final Protocol, signed at Bonn, on 10 November 1960 (entry into force: 9 November 1963, with retroactive effect from 1 January 1959).

j. General Convention between Belgium and Greece on social security, signed at Athens on 1 April 1958 (entry into force: 1 January 1961) and revised by the Convention of 27 September 1967.

k. General Convention on social security between the Kingdom of Belgium and the Republic of Turkey, signed at Brussels on 4 July 1966 (entry into force: 1 May 1968), revised by the Convention of 2 Feburary 1981.

l. General Convention on social security between the Kingdom of Belgium and the Republic of Portugal, dated 14 September 1970 (entry into force: 1 May 1973).

m. Convention between Belgium and Spain on social security dated 28 November 1956, revised by the Convention of 1 October 1967.

Cyprus

a. Agreement on Social Insurance between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, dated 6 October 1969.

b. Agreement on Social Security between the Government of the Republic of Cyprus and the Government of the Hellenic Republic, dated 1 July 1979.

Czech Republic

a. General Convention on Social Security between the Czechoslovak Republic and the Republic of France signed on 12 October 1948 with Supplementary agreement in revised version of 17 October 1967.

b. Agreement between the Czech Republic and the Republic of Cyprus on Social Security signed on 19 January 1999 (entry into force: 1 March 2000).

c. Agreement between the Czech Republic and the Republic of Lithuania on Social Security signed on 27 January 1999 (entry into force: 1 August 2000).

d. Agreement between the Czech Republic and the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg on Social Security signed on 17 November 2000 (entry into force: 1 March 2002).

Denmark

a. General Convention between Denmark and France on social security, dated 30 June 1951.

b. Convention between Denmark and the Federal Republic of Germany on social security, dated 14 August 1953, with Final Protocol and Supplementary Agreement.

c. Convention between Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden on social security, dated 15 September 1955, with Additional Protocol, revised on 5 March 1981, in force as of 1 January 1982.

d. Convention on social security between Denmark and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, dated 27 August 1959.

e. Convention on social security between Denmark and Turkey, dated 22 January 1976, in force as of 1 February 1978.

Estonia

Agreement on Social Security between the Republic of Estonia and the Republic of Lithuania, signed on 28 May 1996, entered into force on 10 February 1997.

Agreement on Social Security between the Republic of Estonia and the Republic of Latvia, signed on 28 May 1996, entered into force on 29 January 1997.

France

a. General Convention between France and Belgium on social security, dated 17 January 1948.

b. General Convention between France and Italy to co-ordinate the application of French social security legislation and of Italian social insurance and family benefits legislation to the nationals of the two countries, dated 31 March 1948.

c. General Convention between France and the United Kingdom on social security, signed on 10 July 1956.

d. General Convention between France and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on social security, dated 12 November 1949.

e. General Convention between France and the Netherlands on social security, dated 7 January 1950.

f. General Convention between France and the Federal Republic of Germany on social security, dated 10 July 1950.

g. General Convention between France and Denmark on social security, dated 30 June 1951.

h. Multilateral Convention on social security concluded by the Brussels Treaty Powers on 7 November 1949.

i. Convention between France, Italy and the Saar to extend and co-ordinate the application to nationals of the three countries of French social security legislation and Italian and Saar legislation on social insurance and family benefits, dated 27 November 1952.

j. Convention between France, Belgium and Italy to extend and co-ordinate the application to nationals of the three countries of Belgian and French social security legislation and of Italian legislation on social insurance and family benefits, dated 19 January 1951.

k. General Convention between France and Norway on social security, signed on 30 September 1954 and in force as from 1 July 1956.

l. General Convention between France and Greece on social security, signed on 19 April 1958 and in force since 1 May 1959.

m. Agreement concluded in application of Article 21 of the Supplementary Agreement to the General Convention of 12 November 1949 between France and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, applicable to miners and equivalent categories.

Germany

a. General Convention between the Federal Republic of Germany and France on social security, dated 10 July 1950, entered into force on 1 January 1952.

b. Convention between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Kingdom of the Netherlands on social insurance, dated 29 March 1951, entered into force on 1 November 1952.

c. Convention between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Italy on social insurance, dated 5 May 1953, entered into force on 1 April 1954.

d. Convention between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Kingdom of Denmark on social insurance, dated 14 August 1953, entered into force on 1 November 1954.

e. Agreement between the Federal Republic of Germany and Great Britain, dated 20 April 1960, relating to social security, entered into force on 1 August 1961.

f. General Convention on social security between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Kingdom of Belgium, dated 7 December 1957 (including the Supplementary Agreements and the Final Protocol) as well as the Protocol of 10 November 1960 (entered into force on 9 November 1963 with retroactive effect from 1 January 1959).

g. Revised Agreement of 13 February 1961 on social security for Rhine boatmen, entered into force for the Federal Republic of Germany on 1 February 1970.

h. Convention between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Kingdom of Greece on social security, dated 25 April 1961, entered into force on 1 November 1966, as amended and completed by the Convention dated 21 March 1967.

i. Convention between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Turkey on social security, dated 30 April 1964, entered into force on 1 November 1965.

j. Agreement between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Portugal on social security, dated 6 November 1964.

k. Agreement between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Kingdom of Sweden on social security, dated 27 February 1976.

Greece

a. General Convention between Greece and France on social security, signed on 19 April 1958.

b. General Convention between Greece and Belgium on social security, signed on 1 April 1958.

c. Convention between Greece and the Federal Republic of Germany on social security, signed on 25 April 1961.

Iceland

Convention between Iceland, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, dated 15 September 1955.

Ireland

a. Agreement on social security of 29 March 1960 between Ireland and the United Kingdom.

b. Agreement relating to insurance and workmen's compensation between the Minister for Social Welfare and the Northern Ireland Ministry of Labour and National Insurance of 22 July 1964.

c. Agreement on social security of 28 February 1966 between Ireland and the United Kingdom.

d. Agreement on social security of 3 October 1968 between Ireland and the United Kingdom.

e. Agreement on social security of 14 September 1971 between Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Italy

a. General Convention between Italy and France to co-ordinate the application of French social security legislation and of Italian social insurance and family benefits legislation to the nationals of the two countries, dated 31 March 1948.

b. General Convention between Italy and Belgium on social insurance, dated 30 April 1948.

c. Convention between Belgium, France and Italy to extend and co-ordinate the application of Belgian and French social security legislation and Italian social insurance and family benefits legislation to the nationals of the three countries, dated 19 January 1951.

d. General Convention between the Republic of Italy and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on social security, dated 29 May 1951.

e. Convention on social insurance between the Republic of Italy and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, dated 28 November 1951.

f. General Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of Italy on social insurance, dated 28 October 1952.

g. Convention between the Republic of Italy and the Federal Republic of Germany on social insurance, dated 5 May 1953.

h. Convention between the Republic of Italy and the Kingdom of Sweden on social security, dated 25 September 1979.

i. Convention between the Republic of Italy and the Kingdom of Norway on social security, dated 12 June 1959.

j. Convention between the Republic of Italy and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on social insurance in Italy and in Northern Ireland, dated 29 January 1957.

k. Convention between Italy, France and the Saar to extend and co-ordinate the application to the nationals of all three countries of French social security legislation and Italian and Saar legislation on social security and family allowances, dated 27 November 1952.

Latvia

a. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Republic of Lithuania on the Co-operation in the Field of Social Insurance signed on 17 December 1993 and entered into force on 31 January 1995.

b. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Republic of Estonia on Co-operation in the Field of Social Security signed on 28 May 1996 and entered into force on 29 January 1997.

Luxembourg

a. General Convention between the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and France on social security, dated 12 November 1949.

b. General Convention between the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Belgium on social security, dated 3 December 1949.

c. General Convention between the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Netherlands on social security, dated 8 July 1950.

d. Multilateral Convention on social security concluded by the Brussels Treaty Powers on 7 November 1949.

e. Convention on social security between the United Kingdom and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, dated 13 October 1953.

f. General Convention between the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Italian Republic on social security, dated 29 May 1951.

g. Convention on social security between the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Portugal of 12 February 1965, with the exception of Article 3, paragraph 2 and special Protocol of 12 February 1965, in the wording of the supplementary agreements of 5 June 1972 and 20 May 1977.

Netherlands

a. Convention between the Netherlands and Belgium with respect to the application of the legislation of the two countries as regards social insurance, dated 29 August 1947, as amended by the Convention of 4 November 1957 revising the Convention of 29 August 1947.

b. General Convention between the Netherlands and France on social security, dated 7 January 1950.

c. Convention between the Netherlands and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on social security, dated 8 July 1950.

d. Convention between the Netherlands and the Federal Republic of Germany on social insurance, dated 29 March 1951.

e. Multilateral Convention on social security concluded by the Brussels Treaty Powers on 7 November 1949.

f. Agreement on social security for Rhine boatmen, dated 27 July 1950, replaced by the Convention on social security for Rhine boatmen, dated 13 February 1961 (entered into force on 1 February 1970).

g. General Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Italian Republic on social insurance, dated 28 October 1952.

h. Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on social security, dated 11 August 1954.

i. Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of Turkey on social security and Protocol of signature, dated 5 April 1966 (entered into force on 1 April 1968), as amended by the Convention of 4 September 1980 revising the Convention of 5 April 1966.

j. Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Kingdom of Greece on social security, dated 13 September 1966 (entered into force on 1 July 1970).

k. Convention on social security between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of Portugal, dated 19 July 1979 (entered into force on 1 January 1981).

l. Convention on social security between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Kingdom of Sweden, dated 2 July 1982 (entered into force on 1 March 1983).

Norway

a. Convention between Norway and France on social security of 30 September 1954, in force as of 1 July 1956.

b. Convention between Norway and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of 25 July 1957, in force as of 1 April 1958.

c. Convention between Norway and Italy on social security of 12 June 1959, in force as of 1 February 1962.

d. Convention between Norway and the Republic of Turkey of 20 July 1978, in force as of 1 June 1981. Administrative Agreement of 30 July 1981.

e. Convention between Norway and the Republic of Portugal on social security of 5 June 1980, in force as of 1 September 1981. Administrative Agreement of 15 December 1980.

f. Convention between Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden on social security of 5 March 1981, in force as of 1 January 1982. Administrative Agreement of 25 October 1982.

g. Convention between Norway and the Republic of Greece on social security of 12 June 1980, in force as of 1 June 1983. Administrative Agreement of 12 December 1980.

Portugal

a. General Convention between Portugal and Belgium on social security and Protocol of 14 September 1970.

b. General Convention between Portugal and France on social security of 29 July 1971 in the wording of the supplementary agreements of 7 February 1977 and 1 October 1979.

General Protocol of 29 July 1971 and Supplementary Protocol of 1 October 1979.

c. Convention between Portugal and the Federal Republic of Germany on social security of 6 November 1964, in the amended version of 30 September 1974.

d. Convention between Portugal and Luxembourg on social security of 12 February 1965, excluding Article 3, paragraph 2, and Special Protocol of 12 February 1965 in the wording of the supplementary agreements of 5 June 1972 and 20 May 1977.

e. Convention between Portugal and the Netherlands on social security and Final Protocol of 19 July 1979.

f. Convention between Portugal and Sweden on social security of 25 October 1978.

g. Convention between Portugal and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on social security of 15 November 1978.

h. Convention between Portugal and Norway on social security and Protocol thereto of 5 June 1980.

i. Convention on social security between Portugal and Spain, signed on 11 June 1969.

Spain

a. General Convention between Spain and Belgium on social security, dated 28 November 1956 (entered into force on 1 July 1958).

b. Convention between the Spanish State and the Federal Republic of Germany on social security, dated 4 December 1973 (entered into force on 1 November 1977).

c. Convention between Spain and Italy on Social Security, dated 30 October 1971 (entered into force on 1 November 1982).

d. Convention and Special Attached Protocol between the Spanish government and the government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on social security, dated 8 May 1969 (entered into force on 1 January 1972) and Supplementary Agreement, dated 27 June 1975 (entered into force on 1 June 1977).

e. Convention between the Spanish State and the Kingdom of the Netherlands on social security, dated 5 February 1974 (entered into force on 1 December 1974)

f. General Convention between Spain and Portugal on social security, dated 11 June 1969 (entered into force on 1 July 1970).

g. Convention between Spain and Sweden on social security, dated 4 February 1983 (entered into force on 1 July 1984).

h. Convention on social security between Spain and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, dated l3 September 1974 (entered into force on 1 April 1975).

i. General Convention on social security between the Spanish State and the French Republic, dated 31 October 1974 and Protocol (entered into force on 1 April 1976).

Sweden

Convention between Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway on social security, dated 15 September 1955, revised by Agreement of 2 December 1969, with Additional Protocol.

Turkey

a. Convention on social security between Turkey and the United Kingdom signed on 9 September 1959 and entered into force on 1 June 1961.

b. Convention on social security between Turkey and the Federal Republic of Germany, signed on 30 April 1964 and entered into force on 1 November 1965.

c. Convention on social security between Turkey and the Netherlands, signed on 5 April 1966 and entered into force on 1 February 1968.

d. Convention on social security between Turkey and Belgium, signed on 4 July 1966 and entered into force on 1 May 1968.

e. Convention on social security between Turkey and France, signed on 20 January 1972 and entered into force on 1 August 1973.

f. Convention on social security between Turkey and Denmark, signed on 22 January 1976 and entered into force on 1 February 1978.

g. Convention on social security between Turkey and Sweden, signed on 30 June 1978 and entered into force on 1 May 1981.

h. Convention on social security between Turkey and Norway, signed on 20 July 1978 and entered into force on 1 June 1981.

United Kingdom

a. Convention on social security and Protocol concerning benefits in kind between the United Kingdom and Belgium, signed in Brussels on 20 May 1957.

b. Convention on social security between the United Kingdom and Cyprus, signed in Nicosia on 6 October 1969.

c. Convention on social security between the United Kingdom and Denmark, signed in London on 27 August 1959.

d. Convention on social security (with Protocols) between the United Kingdom and France, signed in Paris on 10 July 1956.

e. Convention on social security between the United Kingdom and the Federal Republic of Germany, signed in Bonn on 20 April 1960.

f. Agreement on social security between the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic, signed in Dublin on 28 February 1966.

g. Agreement on social security between the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic, signed in Dublin on 3 October 1968.

h. Agreement on social security between the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic, signed in London on 14 September 1971.

i. Convention on social security between the United Kingdom and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, signed in London on 13 October 1953.

j. Convention on social security between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, signed at The Hague on 11 August 1954.

k. Convention on social security between the United Kingdom and Norway, signed in London on 25 July 1957.

l. Convention on social security between the United Kingdom and Portugal, signed in London on 15 November 1978.

m. Convention on social security between the United Kingdom and Sweden, signed in Stockholm on 9 June 1956.

n. Convention on social security between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Turkey, signed in Ankara on 9 September 1959.

Annex III – Reservations to the Agreement formulated by the Contracting Parties

1. The Government of Belgium has formulated the following reservation :

The benefit of guaranteed income instituted by the Belgian Law of 1 April 1969, in favour of aged persons and which is a non-contributory benefit subject to a means test, will only be granted to nationals of Contracting States whose legislation allows the award of equivalent advantages of Belgian nationals.

2. The Government of Denmark has formulated the following reservation :

The provisions of the Agreement shall not apply to :

- the Convention on social security between Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, revised by the Agreement of 5 March 1981, in force as of 1 January 1982;

- the Convention on social security between Denmark and Turkey, signed on 22 January 1976, in force as of 1 February 1978.

3. The Government of France has formulated the following reservations :

a. The additional non-contributory benefit subject to a means test, provided under the French Act of 30 June 1956 establishing a Fonds national de Solidarité, shall be granted only to nationals of those States whose legislation awards similar benefits to French nationals.

b. The provisions of the Agreement shall not apply to the Law No. 65/555 of 10 July 1965, published in the Official Gazette of the French Republic of 11 July 1965, extending to all persons of French nationality working elsewhere than on French territory (whether employees or not) the option of joining the voluntary insurance scheme.

c. The provisions of the Agreement shall not apply to the Arrangement concluded in application of Article 21 of the Supplementary Agreement to the General Convention of 12 November 1949 between France and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, applicable to miners and equivalent categories, signed in Paris on 8 September 1970.

d. The provisions of the Agreement shall not apply to the Law No. 76-1287 of 31 December 1976, published in the Official Gazette of the French Republic on 1 January 1977, relating to the situation with regard to the social security of French workers seconded or expatriated abroad.

e. The provisions of the Agreement shall not apply to the Law No. 80-471 of 27 June 1980, published in the Official Gazette of the French Republic on 28 June 1980, extending the social protection of French nationals abroad.

f. The provisions of the Agreement shall not apply to the Law No. 84-604 of 13 July 1984, published in the Official Gazette of the French Republic on 14 July 1984, adopting various measures relating to the improvement of the social protection of French nationals abroad.

4. The Government of Iceland has formulated the following reservation :

The provisions of the Agreement shall not apply to the Convention between Iceland, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden of 13 September 1961 revising the Convention of 15 September 1955 on Social Security, which is listed in Annex II.

5. The Government of Italy has formulated the following reservation :

The provisions of the Agreement shall not apply to Act No. 153 of 30 April 1969 (modified and completed), which instituted a social pension in favour of persons without resources. It is a non-contributory benefit, subject to a means condition, the amount of which is determined in relation to income. The financing is entirely borne by the State.

6. The Government of Norway has formulated the following reservations :

a. The provisions of the Agreement and Protocol shall not apply to the transitional provisions in paragraph 7-5 of the National Insurance Act of 17 June 1966.

b. The provisions of the Agreement and Protocol shall not apply to :

- the Convention between Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden on social security of 5 March 1981, in force as of 1 January 1982;

- the Administrative Agreement of 25 October 1982.

c. The provisions of the Agreement and Protocol shall not apply to :

- the Convention on social security between Norway and the Republic of Portugal of 5 June 1980, in force as of 1 September 1981;

- the Administrative Agreement of 15 December 1980.

7. The Government of Sweden has formulated the following reservations :

a. The provisions of the Agreement shall not apply to those parts of the General Insurance Act of 25 May 1962 (No. 381) which deal with supplementary pensions.

b. The provisions of the Agreement shall not apply to the Convention on social security between Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway, dated 15 September 1955, revised by the Agreement of 2 December 1969.

8. The Government of the United Kingdom has formulated the following reservation :

The provisions of the Agreement shall not apply to the obsolescent schemes for non-contributory old-age pensions in Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man, it being understood that equivalent benefits are available to the nationals of the contracting countries on the same conditions as to British nationals under the Supplementary Benefit schemes of Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man.

Belgium

- Law of 27 June 1956 concerning the Special Assistance Fund.
- Law of 2 April 1965 concerning Public Assistance.
- Royal Decree No. 81 of 10 November 1967 establishing a Fund to provide for medical, social and educational services for the handicapped.
- Law of 8 July 1964 concerning urgent Medical Assistance.
- Law of 7 August 1974 establishing the right to a minimum level of means of subsistence.
- Law of 8 July 1976 relating to the organisation of Public Social Assistance Centres.

Denmark

- The Act on Active Social Policy (Act no. 455 of 10 June 1997 as later amended).
- The Act on Social Services (Act no. 454 of 10 June 1997 as later amended).

France

- Family and Social Assistance Code : (Decree No. 56-149 of 24 January 1956).
- Social Assistance to Children - Part II - Chapter II.
- Social and Medical Assistance - Part III (except Articles 162 and 171) :

. Social Assistance to families and to the aged, infirm, blind or seriously disabled. Compensatory allowances for rent increases. Special accommodation measures.
. Medical Assistance to the sick, sufferers from tuberculosis, mental patients.

Germany

a The Federal Social Assistance Act as published on 23 March 1994 (Federal Law Gazette, I, pp. 646 ans 2975), last amended by Article 12 of the Act of 13 September 2001 (Federal Law Gazette, I, pp. 2376 and 2975).

b Paragraphs 27, 32 to 35 and 41, each in conjunction with paragraph 39 of Volume Eight of the Social Code as published on 8 December 1998 (Federal Law Gazette, I, p. 3546).

c Paragraphs 3, 19 and 69 of the Act to prevent and combat infectious diseases contracted by humans (Infektionsschutzgesetz - IfSG, Article 1 of the Act to revise the legislation on epidemics of 20 July 2000, Federal Law Gazette, I, p. 1045).

Greece

Greek legislation provides for public assistance for those in need. Social assistance is made available consisting of economic, medical-pharmaceutical and hospital related assistance, as well as other benefits. Ministerial decisions have been promulgated and enacted regarding health care to such a degree that there is no uninsured indigent social group in this country not covered by a social assistance regime including hospital, medical and pharmaceutical assistance.

According to Decree No. 57/1973 (Article 5, paragraph 2) aliens from States who have adopted the European Convention on Social and Medical Assitance, residents in Greece, are integrated within the social assistance programmes as equals of the Greek citizens.

Such programmes cover needy and emergency cases of individuals who are unable to face by their own or their family's means, a natural disaster or illness by the assignment of a lump sum.

The above social assistance is also provided for the over 65 years old unable to cover their living demands by their own or their family's means, although no emergency reason occurs.

This assistance is granted after claim at the Prefectural Welfare Autority of the place of residence, responsible to certify the economic weakness of the claimant. Ministerial Decision A3/7485/81 provides full health assistance to foreigners on transit and tourists of Greek origine not residing in Greece, on the condition that their stay will be no longer than three months; besides foreign students fellows of the Greek Government and the members of the families of the medical fellows enjoy full health assistance during their stay in this country.

a Assistance to children

The following reform has been realised :

i Presidential Decree 856/81 (Official Gazette 218/81 Vol A). It has been reformed and completed by a joint Ministerial Decision signed by the Ministers of Finance and Health, Welfare and Social Security. Decision No 3634/82 re: Benefit for children without support uprating of the age limit to 16 years old, instead of 14.

ii Presidential Decree No. 147/89 (Official Gazette No. 70/Vol. A/89) re: uprating of the monthly benefit from 7,000 Drs. to 9,500 Drs. and expansion of the financial criteria.

iii Circular to the Ministry of Social Assistance No. 817/7338 of 10 January 1952 "Free admission to observation clinics for children suffering from glandular infections".

iv Ministerial Decision 8291/84 (Official Gazette No. 860/ Vol. B/84) re: Child Care Homes : approval of their operating regulations, according to Article 4.

Child Care Homes (ex. Orphanages) are open to physically and mentally normal children aged from 5 and a halp to 16 years old needing institutional care, which is proved by a social investigation carried out for each claimant.

v Law 4227 of 17 March 1962 "Organisation of day-nurseries and admission of infants not supported by their families" (Official Gazette A No. 49 of 24 March 1962).

b Assistance to Adults

i Circular of the Ministry of Social Assistance No. 374/9505 of 30 July 1956 "Hospital care and medical and pharmaceutical assistance".

Such assistance is provided for needy cases and for entitled persons in other special categories.

ii Circular of the Ministry of Merchant Shipping No. 14931 of 7 March 1950 "Free travel". A number of free places are reserved for the needy on Greek coastal vessels.

iii Law 2603 of 1953 ratifying Decision No. 487 of 13 May 1952 of the Council of Ministers, concerning payment by the State of travelling expenses for needy prisoners returning home on release.

iv Free legal assistance under Articles 220 to 224 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

This assistance is granted to aliens on a basis of reciprocity.

c Assistance for the aged and the chronically ill.

I. Legislative decree 162/1973

Official Gazette No. 227 "Assistance provisions in favour of the aged and chronically ill" providing institutionalisation (in Public and Private Entity Establishments) and protection of the non-institutionalised, Day Centres for the aged (KAPI), home assistance and so on.

II. Legislative Decree 1118/1972

re: "Private enterprises providing medical assistance for the aged or the chronically ill, suffering from a deficiency of the mobility system and regulation of adequate matters".

Iceland

Law No. 80, dated 5 June 1947, concerning social assistance.

Ireland

- Blind Persons Act, 1920.
- Social Welfare (Supplementary Welfare Allowances Act), 1975.
- Mental Treatment Act, 1945.
- Health Act, 1953.
- Health and Mental Treatment Act, 1957.
- Health and Mental Treatment (Amendment) Act, 1958.
- Health Act, 1970.

Italy

a Single text of the laws on public order of 18 June 1931, No. 773, Art. 142, et seq., governing the sojourn of aliens in Italy.

b Law of 17 July 1890, No. 6972 on public assistance and welfare institutions Art. 76-77 and Administrative Regulation of 5 February 1891, No. 99, Art. 112 and 116 relating to invalids and needy persons in general.

c Law of 14 February 1904, No. 36, Art. 6 and Regulations of 16 August 1909, No. 615, Art. 55, 56, 75, 76 and 77 relating to the insane.

d Law of 23 December 1978, No. 833, concerning the setting up of the National Health Service : Articles 6, 33, 34, 35.

e Legislative Decree of 30 December 1979, No. 663 (Article 5), converted into the Law of 29 February 1980, No. 33, Article 1.

f Law of 4 May 1990, No. 107 concerning the activities of transfusion relating to human blood and of the production of derived plasmas.

g Law of 26 May 1990, concerning toxic dependencies.

h Law of 5 June 1990, concerning AIDS.

i Ministerial Decree of 27 September 1990. Compulsory National Health Service Insurance for unemployed workers from the European Communities living in Italy.

l Presidential Decree No. 309 of 1 October 1990. A single body of laws on narcotics, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of drug users.

m Law No. 104 of 5 February 1992 which provides the legal framework for assistance, social integration and rights of the disabled.

n Law No. 210 of 25 February 1992. Compensation for victims of irreversible complications owing to compulsory vaccination and to transfusion and administration of blood products.

o Law No. 67 of 18 March 1993 on "Urgent provisions for health matters and social assistance".

p Law No. 222 of 14 July 1993 on "Urgent provisions for treatment for individuals who are HIV positive or drug-dependent".

q Law No. 590 of 17 October 1994 on "Urgent provisions for the organisation of local health offices".

Luxembourg

- Law of 28 May 1897, concerning emergency residence (domicile de secours).
- Law of 7 August 1923, rendering compulsory the training of the blind and the deaf and dumb.
- Law of 30 July 1960 concerning the setting-up of a National Solidarity Fund.
- Law of 14 March 1973 setting up institutes and services of differentiated education.
- Amended Law of 16 April 1979, creating a special allowance for the seriously handicapped.
- Amended Law of 26 July 1980, concerning the advancing and recovery of maintenance allowances by the National Solidarity Fund.

- Law of 26 July 1986,

a   establishing entitlement to a guaranteed minimum income
b   creating a social welfare service
c   amending the Law of 30 July 1960, concerning the setting up of a National Solidarity Fund.

- Law of 16 June 1989, amending the above-mentioned Law of 26 July 1986.
- Law of 2 May 1989, creating a care allowance and organising placement in a Care Centre.
- Grand-Ducal Regulation of 23 October 1989, concerning the membership and powers of the National, Medical, Psychological and Pedagogical Committee.
- Grand-Ducal Regulation of 19 June 1990 creating a service of educative assistance named Child Guidance Service.
- Grand-Ducal Regulation of 19 June 1990, organising the child guidance service.
- Law of 28 June 1994 amending and supplementing :

a) the amended Law of 10 August 1912 on the organisation of the primary education,
b) the amended Law of 14 March 1973 setting up institutes and services of differentiated education, in favour of the participation of children affected by a disability for ordinary education and of their scholar integration.

- Grand-Ducal Regulation of 9 January 1998 concerning :

a) the membership and powers of national and regional or local medical, psychological and pedagogical committees,
b) the procedure of school orientation of children affected by a disability as well as the modalities of their schooling.

- Grand-Ducal Order of 9 January 1998 setting-up a re-educational ambulatory service.
- Grand-Ducal Regulation of 9 January 1998 organising the re-educational ambulatory service.

Malta

-Social Security Act 1987 as last amended by Act II of 1999, dated 23 February 1999.
- European Social Charter Order, 1999 (Legal Notice 204/1999).

Netherlands

- Act of 12 April 1995 containing new regulations pertaining to the provision of social assistance by the authorities, known as the new National Assistance Act ("Staatsblad", Bulletin of Acts, Orders and Decrees, 1995, No. 199), entered into force 1 January 1996, together with additions and amendments enacted by the following legislation :

Act of 10 July 1995, Stb. 355; Act of 14 December 1995, Stb. 676; Act of 21 December 1995, Stb. 690, 691 and 696; Act of 8 February 1996, Stb. 134; Act of 25 April 1996, Stb. 248; Act of 29 November 1996, Stb. 619; Act of 6 February 1997, Stb. 63; Act of 26 February 1997, Stb. 96; Act of 10 April 1997, Stb. 162; Act of 24 April 1997, Stb. 178, in connection with the Act of 24 December 1997, Stb. 794; Act of 24 April 1997, Stb. 197; Act of 2 May 1997, Stb. 193; Act of 11 September 1997, Stb. 465; Act of 24 October 1997, Stb. 515; Act of 6 November 1997, Stb. 510; Act of 4 December 1997, Stb. 760; Act of 17 December 1997, Stb. 660 et 728; Act of 24 December 1997, Stb. 789 and 791; Act of 26 March 1998, Stb. 203; Act of 2 April 1998, Stb. 205; Act of 9 April 1998, Stb. 278; Act of 22 April 1998, Stb. 289; Act of 23 April 1998, Stb. 290; Act of 11 June 1998, Stb. 412; Act of 1st July 1998, Stb. 451 and Act of 24 November 1998, Stb. 742.

- The following General Administrative Orders (Royal Decrees) enacted on the basis of the National Assistance Act :

. Government Assistance Scheme for Self-employed Persons of 12 April 1995 (Stb. 203) as amended by Decree of 24 February 1996, Stb. 153 ;
. Mortgage Guarantee Decree of 12 April 1995 (Stb. 204) as amended by Decree of 2 October 1995, Stb. 496.

Various ministerial orders (and amendments thereto) pertaining to the implementation of the provisions of the above General Administrative Orders and/or to specifying them in greater detail.

Norway

Act of 5 June 1964 concerning social care.

Portugal

- Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, Article 63 (social security).
- Law No 28/84, of 14 August 1984, establishing bases for the social security system provided for by the Constitution and the welfare assistance to be provided by social security institutions, together with private non-profit making initiatives with aims similar to those of state institutions.
- Order in Council No 2/86, of 2 January 1986, defining principles to which establishments, public or private, meant for young persons in transit or definitively deprived of family ground have to conform to.
- Order in Council No 68/86, of 27 March 1986, setting the legal scheme of the housing allowance.
- Order in Council No 19/88, of 21 January 1988 (amended by Order in Council no. 202/89, of 232 June 1989), approving the law on hospital management.
- Regulation No 3/88, of 22 January 1988, (amended by Regulations No 7/89, of 4 March 1989, and 14/90, of 6 June 1990) introducing amendments with regard to the overall functioning of hospitals and their services.
- Order in Council No 245/90, of 27 July 1990, establishing the rules governing local social security services.
- Law No 48/90, of 24 August 1990 (Health Act).
- Order in Council No 322/91, of 26 August 1991, approving the Statute of the "Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa" (non-governmental organisation).
- Order in Council No 391/91, of 10 October 1991, establishing the legal scheme of the family reception of old persons and disabled adults.
- Order in Council No 118/92, of 25 June 1992, establishing regulations for the joint funding of medicines by the State.
- Order in Council No 190/92, of 3 September 1992, establishing the legal scheme of the family reception of children and young persons.
- Order in Council No 10/93, of 15 January 1993, establishing the new organisation of the Ministry of Health.
- Order in Council No 11/93, of 15 January 1993, approving the Statute of the National Health Service.
- Order in Council No 217/93, of 16 June 1993, approving the organisational diagram of the General Directorate of Social Welfare.
- Order in Council No 260/93, of 23 July 1993, reorganising regional social security centres.
- Order in Council No 198/95, of 29 July 1995, creating the identity card of the beneficiaries of the National Health Service.
- Law No 19-A/96, of 29 June 1996, setting the guaranteed minimum income within the non-contributory scheme of social security as well as the creation of a social integration program.
- Order in Council No 122/97, of 20 May 1997, establishing the new organisational diagram of the General Directorate of Health
- Order in Council No 196/97, of 31 July 1997, setting regulations for the Law No 19-A/96, of 29 June 1996 (guaranteed minimum income).
- Order-in-Council no. 115/98, of 4 May 1998, approving the Organic Law of the Ministry of Labour and Solidarity.
- Law no. 107/99, of 3 August 1999, establishing the public network of supporting homes for women victims of violence.

Spain

- Framework law of 22 November 1944 relating to National Health.
- Law No. 37 of 21 July 1961 relating to hospital co-ordination.
- General Law of 30 May 1974 on Social Security.
- Decree No. 2176 of 25 August 1978 relating to the activities of the National Plan for the prevention of mental deficiencies.
- Royal Decree-Law No. 276 of 16 November 1978 relating to the institutional management of Social Security, health and employment.
Royal Decree No. 1949 of 31 July 1980 relating to the transfer of Government services to the Generalitat of Catalonia in the field of health and social services and assistance.
- Royal Decree No. 2768 of 26 September 1980 relating to the transfer of Government services to the Autonomous Community of the Basque country in the fields of health and social services and assistance.
- Royal Decree No. 620 of 5 February 1981 relating to the unified regime of public assistance to defectives.
- Royal Decree No. 2620 of 24 July 1981, Regulations governing the grant of aid from the National Fund for Social Assistance to the aged, sick and infirm.
- Royal Decree No. 2347 of 2 October 1981, Regulations of the Secretariat General for Social Assistance.
- Royal Decree No. 2346 of 8 October 1981 relating to the structure and functions of the National Institute for Social Assistance.
- Royal Decree No. 251 of 15 January 1982 relating to the transfer of powers, functions and departments of the National Administration to pre-autonomous entities in the field of social services and assistance.
- Resolutions of 30 January 1982 of the Directorate General for Social Action laying down rules governing the grant of social assistance :

. to drug addicts and alcoholics;
. for the maintenance of assistance centres and departments for the marginalised and the aged; for the support of the activities of associations and federations;
. for the maintenance of young-childhood assistance centres;
. individually and sporadically to persons in need;
. to lepers;
. for the purchase, construction, extension, reform and equipment of centres for the aged and marginalised.

- Order of 16 February 1982 for the setting up of centralised management centres under the National Institute for Social Assistance.
Order of 5 March 1982 in furtherance of Decree No. 620.

Sweden

- Social Services Act of 19 June 1980, No. 620.
- Health and Medical Services Act (SFS 1982 : 763).

Turkey

- Law concerning Public Hygiene, No. 1593, Articles 72/2, 99, 105 and 117.
- Law No. 7402 relating to the campaign against malaria, Article 3/B.
- Law No. 6972, Regulations governing hospital institutions, Articles 57/C and 79.
- Regulations governing Parents-Teachers Associations.
- Law No. 1739 on National Education as amended by the Law No. 43061 of 16 August 1997.

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Great Britain : The Social Security Act 1986 and regulations made thereunder so far as the Act and regulations relate to Income Support and Family Credit; and the Social Security Act 1986 and regulations made and directions given thereunder so far as the Act regulations and directions relate to payments payable out of the Social Fund referred to in the directions as Crisis Loans.

Northern Ireland : The Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 and regulations made thereunder so far as the Order and regulations relate to Income Support and Family Credit; and the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 and regulations made and directions given thereunder so far as the Order regulations and directions relate to payments payable out of the Social Fund referred to in the directions as Crisis Loans.

Laws and regulations concerning Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man establishing National health services.

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