Benefits for Migrants Handbook 11th editionPart 6: European co-ordination rules and international agreementsChapter 17: International agreements 1. Reciprocal agreements
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1. Reciprocal agreements
A reciprocal agreement is a two-way agreement made between the UK and another country. Reciprocal agreements are part of UK law and their purpose is to protect your entitlement to benefits if you move from one country that is a party to an agreement to the other.1s179 SSAA 1992 A reciprocal agreement can help you qualify for certain benefits by allowing periods of residence and contributions paid in each country to be added together (this is similar to the ‘aggregation principle’ in the European Union (EU) co-ordination rules – see here). It can also mean that you are paid more generously when you go abroad than you would be under the UK rules. In addition, they often specify that you must receive equal treatment with nationals of the country to which you have moved.
In general, a reciprocal agreement only applies if the EU co-ordination rules do not assist you (see here).2Art 8 EU Reg 883/04 Therefore, until the end of the transition period (which at the time of
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