Social benefits
In Austria and Italy, social benefits are to be linked to the length of stay.
VS – 09/2023
It was only in January that the Council
adopted the Recommendation
for an Adequate Minimum Income . This was rightly celebrated as an
important step towards a social Europe. However, the current discussions in
Austria or the new minimum income regulation in Italy that came into force in
May speak a different language. In both cases, the Danish scheme is considered
the model that links the beneficiary's entitlement to a minimum period of residence
and employment.
The Danish model
At the European Council in Edinburgh 11-12 December, 1992 it was agreed that Denmark would retain
the right to pursue its own policy on the distribution of wealth and social
benefits. The basic regulation in the European Union (EU), according to which
the same eligibility conditions exist for EU foreigners and nationals,
therefore does not fully apply to Denmark. Denmark makes use of this when
receiving minimum income benefits. Anyone who has lived in Denmark for at least
nine consecutive years and has worked full-time for at least two and a half
years during the last ten years is entitled to minimum income benefits. This
regulation also applies to Danes. However, they are entitled to funds for
'self-maintenance and repatriation' that correspond to the amount of the
minimum income benefit, so that they do not dependent on the minimum income
benefit
New rules in Italy
May this year, a new minimum
income scheme came into force in Italy. In spite of the infringement
proceedings initiated by the European Commission in February against the
previously valid regulation, the entitlement to benefits is linked to the
duration of residence. Under the new scheme, the minimum duration of residence
has been reduced from ten to five years, but still requires two years of
continuous residence.
Austrian mind games
In Austria, Interior Minister Raab (ÖVP)
has proposed to link full social benefits to the duration of residence and a
certain term of employment, similar to Denmark. This approach is to apply
universally, regardless of nationality and residence status. However, it
explicitly aims to reduce immigration. Specific proposals on which services
these criteria should apply to have not yet been presented by the Minister. The
Green coalition partner has spoken out against these ideas in initial
statements.