As of today, all information provided by the MISSOC network is available on the website of the European Commission offering an accessible and user-friendly way to explore social protection systems across Europe. Visitors of www.missoc.org are automatically redirected to the new location.
The social security database and infographics formerly hosted on www.missoc.org have been migrated to the European Commission’s website. The new location offers the same high‑quality data in a clearer, more user‑friendly format.
Comparative database on social protection
The MISSOC comparative database provides comparable, up‑to‑date information on social protection systems across Europe in 3 languages (English, French and German).
By using a common set of guidelines to present the different national social protection systems in 31 European countries, the database helps policymakers, researchers and the public to:
- see how social protection is organised in each country,
- identify key differences between the various schemes, and
- compare rights, coverage requirements and benefits.
The tables cover 12 main areas, including healthcare, sickness, maternity, old age, unemployment, family benefits, long‑term care and guaranteed minimum resources.
Explore the comparative database
Infographics on social protection in Europe
MISSOC infographics give a quick overview of selected social protection rules across Europe.
They address for instance:
- access to sickness benefits for employees and the self‑employed people,
- support for informal carers providing long‑term care,
- formal access of the self‑employed people to unemployment schemes, and
- indexation of old‑age pensions in MISSOC countries.
New infographics will be added in the coming months and years.
What MISSOC is
MISSOC stands for Mutual Information System on Social Protection. The network was established in 1990 to facilitate a regular exchange of information on social protection among EU countries.
Its key output is an online comparative database on social protection systems in EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland and national social security guides, explaining the national social protection systems in an accessible, multi-lingual and easy-to-understand language to a broad audience, in particular citizens moving within Europe.
Its work is based on close cooperation between:
- the European Commission, represented by the Directorate General Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion
- a network of national correspondents (official representatives of the national ministries or institutions in the area of social protection)
- the MISSOC secretariat, under contract to the European Commission
