The lack of social security coverage for the self-employed has recently attracted significant attention in Europe. Changes in the world of work, including the rising prevalence of platform work, have led to an increasing number of self-employed workers with lower incomes. These trends, together with the COVID-19 pandemic, have shed light on the historically insufficient protection for the self-employed across the region.

Europe as a region is characterized as having achieved comprehensive social security coverage, yet still faces challenges in ensuring access to social security and preventing the non-take-up of benefits. This article presents a synthesis of discussions held during a technical seminar organized with the ISSA European Network (IEN).

The self-employed are a key pillar of economic activity in many countries. While often belonging to lower income groups, their social security protection is usually significantly less comprehensive than the one provided to employees. Due to the coronavirus crisis, many governments have taken unprecedented steps to expand social security coverage for the self-employed.