A1 certificate and direct employment in Germany
An A1 certificate concerns the social-security system applicable in a cross-border situation. It is not required simply because a candidate was recruited through QUICK.
Employment placement and A1
QUICK provides employment placement. Where a candidate is employed directly by a German employer and works in Germany, social-security obligations follow from the actual employment arrangement. Polish nationality or the use of a Polish placement agency does not, by itself, create a requirement for an A1 certificate.
When can A1 be relevant?
An A1 certificate is primarily used to confirm which social-security legislation applies in a cross-border case, for example in certain posting situations or where a person normally works in two or more countries. That is a different model from ordinary direct employment by a foreign employer.
What should be checked before starting?
Confirm the direct employer, contract type, place of work, pay, social-security arrangements, accommodation and required documents. If the facts amount to a cross-border social-security situation, the employer or competent institution should determine whether an A1 certificate is required.
This is general information and does not replace an individual assessment of the applicable social-security legislation.