Press release: Commission takes Germany to court on social security rights of disabled migrant workers

The European Commission is taking Germany to the Court of Justice of the European Union on January 2010 because of provisions which prevent disabled, blind and deaf people from accessing their benefits if they work in Germany but live elsewhere. Legislation in all German regions (Länder) impose a residence or "habitual stay" clause to these benefits which puts migrant and cross-border workers and their families at a disadvantage. According to EU provisions, this requirement discriminates against frontier and migrant workers who pay social security contributions in Germany but are unable to enjoy the same benefits as nationals.