• the nationals of those states that are signatories to these treaties
• the nationals of third States and their family members under two conditions: they are legal residents of a country of the European Union and have ties with at least two of those states
• legalised political refugees
• stateless persons
• their surviving spouses

Such international treaties generally aim at the same objectives. They ensure that:

• it be mentioned to what country the legislation pertains
• all nationals in the same situation enjoy the same rights and obligations
• acquired or nearly-acquired rights be maintained: the social security rights acquired in one state need not be forfeited in another
• social security benefits be exportable and thus can be received in the other country

Working temporarily in Belgium