As a percentage of households, Spain, Ireland and Italy have the highest rates. Strong responses are also evident from Luxembourg, Portugal, Greece and Finland. People are called back within three working days by an expert and advised on the next step they should take. The aim of the Signpost Service is therefore to reinforce public awareness of advice available from existing EU, national and local bodies. A detailed evaluation of cases raised so far with the Signpost Service has revealed some very interesting conclusions about the functioning of the Single Market.
Cases involve people from many different backgrounds.
A Spanish unemployed pharmacy graduate asked about the possibilities of working as a pharmacist in another Member State. A French woman wished to leave her job in France to follow her husband who was posted to the UK, and asked about her social security status. She was advised that, until she started working in the UK, she would be covered by French social security apart from unemployment benefits, which are exportable only for three months. A Spanish national who has worked in Germany and Spain and is currently living in Spain wanted to get information on his rights regarding obtaining his German pension and on the calculation of his contributions in the two Member States in order to obtain his full pension entitlement. He was advised that he has the right to receive his pension from Germany even if he resides in Spain and that he should apply to the competent social security office for the calculation of his contributions in the two countries and until then he could receive a provisional pension.