Accommodation for posted workers: what the EU rules say

What the directive says about accommodation

The revised Posting of Workers Directive (EU) 2018/957 added accommodation to the terms of the host country that apply to posted workers: where the employer provides accommodation to workers away from their regular place of work, the host country’s conditions for that accommodation apply.

In practice that means national housing and workplace rules, such as minimum space, sanitary facilities and fire safety, apply to the rooms you book for a posted crew.

Who pays for travel, board and lodging?

Allowances specific to the posting count as pay, unless they reimburse costs actually incurred because of the posting, such as travel, board and lodging. Those reimbursements are not pay and do not count towards the host country’s minimum. The employer reimburses them under the law that applies to the employment.

What to check when you book

• The accommodation meets the host country’s standards for the number of people booked.
• The booking and the invoice are in the employer’s name.
• No accommodation costs are deducted from wages below the minimum pay.
• The address can be used for the posting notification if the country asks for it.

Questions people also ask

Does the directive set a minimum room size?

No. It points to the host country’s own rules, which differ per country.

Does this apply to workers from outside the EU?

The directive covers workers posted by an employer established in an EU member state. Rules for other cases differ; check them per country.