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Secondments & Employer law

When employees cross borders, but rights must follow

Relocare provides expert support in employment law and international postings, especially navigating the gap that often arises when an employee is hired in one country but temporarily works in another.

What applies when it comes to employment law?

Which country’s legislation governs the contract if an employee is based in one country but works in another?

How should vacation, public holidays, social security, and taxation be handled?

Should the employee be posted on a gross or net salary?

Is the host country entitled to withhold income tax, and how do you set up payroll to ensure proper tax deductions?

How do you structure contracts so that relocation allowances don’t automatically become part of the home contract—potentially giving the employee permanent rights to these benefits upon return?

Relocare has extensive global experience and is here to help. The examples below illustrate what we do—though no two cases are ever the same. Reach out if you’d like to learn more.

Wind turbines in Germany or a posting to the U.S.?

Which country’s employment law applies when your specialist is contractually based in Denmark but building wind turbines in Germany? Should vacation, public holidays, and pension contributions follow Danish or German rules?

The above answer can be based on time lenght of the project, but also who the real employer is. 

If the real employer is based in Germany and the employee adds value on behalf of the German entity, there is likely a tax obligation in Germany. 

If the real employer is based in Denmark a registration under the Posted Workers Directive can be needed and an A1 is always needed.  

If an employee will work in the US a work permit is likely needed. Further a transfer of social security to the US and taxation in the US is also likely needed. What then happens to the employment contract in Denmark and is the company still responsible to withhold taxation in Denmark and pay ATP? 

At Relocare, we turn complex questions into clear, legally sound answers—always with employee wellbeing and your business outcomes in mind.

Why HR managers choose Relocare

One objective: retaining talent
  • We may call it employment law, immigration, tax, or social security—but what we deliver is key employees who stay, thrive, and perform.
Experts in the legal grey zones
  • We guide you through the complex intersection of the EU Posted Workers Directive, A1 certificates, taxation, pensions, and local HSE rules—whether you’re sending staff to Sweden for three months or to France for three years.
  • Countries like Switzerland impose strict requirements, including project-related security deposits. We have in-depth experience with the nuances of intra-EU legislation. Our HR system Relocaretech provides valuable support.
Postings to countries like Australia or the U.S.
  • Postings often require a local employment contract due to immigration regulations, triggering changes in working hours, public holidays, vacation, pension, and social security.
  • Host country authorities may also require income tax withholding which may lead to shadow payroll.
  • What happens with job clauses if immigration rules in a country prohibit them? 
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Contracts that hold—also upon return
  • We design gross or net salary models that separate relocation allowances from the home contract—avoiding unexpected claims and “automatic” entitlements upon repatriation. This gives both HR and employees peace of mind.
Fair payback clauses
  • We draft transparent reimbursement agreements for housing, tuition, and relocation costs that are enforceable—without violating local laws on salary deductions.
Rapid project setup
  • Need a three-month project contract? We handle contracts, A1 forms, and local registrations—often before your consultants finish packing.
    For this, we use our own HR tech system and app: relocaretech.com, supporting both A1 and Posted Workers Directive applications.
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What’s at stake for your company?

Want to avoid costly compensation due to incorrect holiday pay calculations?

Can you afford tax setup errors that result in double taxation—or debt recovery from foreign tax authorities leading to talent loss?

Can your employee start on Monday if the A1 certificate isn’t ready by Friday?

At Relocare, we work with trusted international experts who share our values—partners with excellent references and years of experience, often owner-led firms.

Relocare gives you the answers—and implements them.


Our process

Analysis & strategy – Mapping of home and host country, contract terms, and project length.

Compliance blueprint – Concrete plan for tax, social security, pensions, vacation, holidays, and work environment compliance.

Contracts & addendums – Tailored agreements with embedded relocation allowances, payback clauses, and exit scenarios.

Execution & support – We manage deadlines, authority registrations, and documentation—while you focus on business.

Ongoing retention – Regular check-ins with the employee ensure wellbeing, performance, and full compliance from day one to return.


Want your next international assignment to be a success—for both your employee and your bottom line?

Contact us, and let’s ask the right questions—before the authorities do.