System for electronic exchange of information EESSI
The system for electronic exchange of social security information (EESSI) is a new system for exchange of information between the social security institutions in the EU countries.
The system is used when processing cases related to social security that concern several countries. Via the system, the social security institutions in the EU countries can exchange information speedily and safely. When all EU countries have started using the system for electronic exchange of information, the sending of paper forms between the social security institutions will end.
EESSI has gradually been introduced in Finland
The EESSI system was introduced in Finland in December 2019. In Finland the system was first taken into use by the Finnish Workers’ Compensation Center, which handles compensations for industrial accidents and occupational diseases.
The exchange of information has started in stages at both Kela and other Finnish social insurance institutions. Currently more than 70 Finnish social insurance institutions use the EESSI system. EESSI is also used by the unemployment funds, the TE Services, the Employment Fund, the accident insurance providers as well as the Finnish Centre for Pensions and the authorised pension providers.
Since 2020 information has been exchanged as regards illness, unemployment benefits, the accident insurance sector and family benefits. Since 2020 information has also been exchanged as regards situations where Kela investigates the legislation to be applied to a person’s entitlement to benefits.
Since December 2020 information has also been exchanged via EESSI as regards EU pension applications, cross-border overpayment recovery as well as matters common to several social insurance sectors. The exchange of information as regards the right to treatment in regard to illness started in June 2021 and as regards reimbursements for medical care costs between countries in February 2022 in regard to the actual costs. Concerning these reimbursements, the exchange of information will be extended further at a later stage.
For the customers, the use of the system will not cause any changes.
Kela is responsible for maintaining the Finnish EESSI contact point
In preparation for the introduction of the system, each EU country has established a national contact point. Kela is responsible for the maintenance of the Finnish contact point. Via the contact point, information is exchanged between the Finnish authorities and the social security institutions in the other EU countries. There is a total of about 6,200 social security institutions in the EU and EEA countries and in Switzerland.
Information notices
Information notices regarding EESSI are available on this page.
A1 certificates transferred electronically between EU countries (8 September, 2020)
Kela adopts a system for the electronic exchange of social security information (13 February, 2020)
