What is Certificate of coverage?
A document proving you pay social-security contributions in one country under a totalization agreement, so the other country exempts you.
Under a totalization agreement, a certificate of coverage is the paperwork that proves which country's social-security system you belong to. Employees and the self-employed use it to avoid being charged contributions twice on the same income.
You request it from the country whose system covers you (for the U.S., via the SSA). Keep it on hand — the host country's authorities may ask for it.
Official source: U.S. SSA — International Agreements.
Reviewed July 2026. General information, not legal, tax or immigration advice — always verify current official requirements.
Where does this fit in your move?
Get a free relocation checklist that sequences the paperwork, deadlines and steps for your exact situation.
Build my free plan