International social law

International social law addresses issues concerning supranational and intergovernmental law. On the one hand, such issues concern bilateral and multilateral cooperation between countries in the context of social insurance agreements throughout the world (intergovernmental law). On the other hand, Member States of the European Union (EU) and of the European Economic Area (EEA) apply a complex body of regulations in the field of social security, in order to promote and assure the free movement of workers within Europe (supranational law).

Issues concerning the free movement of goods and services, the mobility of patients and the rights of EU citizens have an increasing impact on social security systems. A significant authority for the interpretation and application of European law is the European Court of Justice (ECJ ()). The DGUV represents the interests of the German statutory accident insurance to external parties in all such concerns and works with the responsible institutions and ministries at both national and international level. In addition, it provides information and advice concerning the application of provisions of international social law.