The self-employed from an international perspective

The number of self-employed workers is on the rise in the European Union. Regardless of one’s motives for becoming self-employed, this development has to be examined within the context of a growing trend towards flexibility in the labour market in recent years. But what arrangements have been made in relation to social services, and the responsibilities of the self-employed, particularly with regard to long-term risks such as sickness, disability and pensions? This document describes the outcome of a study conducted in Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom, and compares it with the situation in the Netherlands.
The study was financed by APG, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment with the cooperation of Holland Financial Centre. The study can be downloaded free of charge from the HFC website.

Pensions and Self-employed
An International Comparative Study
Peter T.H.  Donders MA, manager European Affairs, BMC advies management
Dr Frans Pennings, professor of social law at the University of Utrecht