An agreement on social security between Sweden and Japan enters into force on 1 June
SWEDEN, 1 June – On 1 June, the agreement on social security between Sweden and Japan enters into force. The agreement coordinates Swedish and Japanese public old-age and survivors’ pension systems as well as sickness and activity compensation.
“I am very happy that the agreement on social security between Sweden and Japan is now coming into force. The agreement will increase security for Swedes living and working in Japan, and be important for Swedish companies “, says Minister of Social Insurance Ardalan Shekarabi.
The social insurance agreement between Japan and Sweden, which is now coming into force, means that it will be easier for Swedes working in Japan to qualify for a Japanese pension, and they will also be able to receive Japanese pension payments if they move back to Sweden. From a Swedish perspective, the agreement is particularly important for Swedes who work in Japan for less than 10 years.
For Swedish companies doing business in Japan, the agreement means less bureaucracy. Moving between the two countries also becomes easier when a posted worker is covered by the home country’s social insurance system and the employer pays the social security contributions required by the agreement in the home country.
According to the agreement, posted employees and their accompanying family members are covered by the home country’s legislation for up to five years for the applicable old-age and survivors’ pension as well as sickness and activity compensation. It is easier for family members when the whole family is covered by the same social insurance system.
Sweden and Japan have been negotiating a social insurance agreement for several years. The agreement was signed on 11 April 2019 and adopted by the Riksdag on 27 October 2021. The agreement enters into force on 1 June 2022.