Family Benefits in the EU

Abstract

The coordination and especially the export of family benefits within the EU is high on the agenda, not only due to its complexity, but also because it is politically sensitive. In the present article the plethora of various family benefits, corresponding to distinctive perceptions, historical developments, as well as modified family structures and patterns of mobility is presented. It is questioned whether a definition of a family is important for coordinating family benefits. Moreover, deviations from general principles of social security coordination law are analysed. Among them are the rules on equal treatment, determining the legislation(s) applicable for providing family benefits (including the question of overlapping benefits and the number of so-called ‘baskets’ of family benefits) as well as the export (of adjusted or unadjusted) family benefits. The question is raised as to whether social security coordination rules should be modified and focus more on a child and child benefit(s), leaving other kind of support to the family to social and tax advantages and the right to reside rules.