How to get more out of your travel budget

Software and artificial intelligence are helping mid-sized businesses make business travel both more transparent and more efficient. One relatively new segment is experiencing a particular boom. (...)

“Work-from-anywhere is increasingly becoming a key tool for employer attractiveness and staff retention,” says Dorothee Schweigard, Director of the Compliance Research Centre at WorkFlex International, a specialist in compliance for remote work and business travel.

Spain is the top choice

Spain is the most popular destination for employees, followed by India and Turkey. However, it is often less about a classic work-from-anywhere stint at a holiday resort. Instead, travellers are extending personal trips home or family visits, working remotely for part of the time while abroad.

Yet legal obligations can arise even during short stays. For instance, an A1 certificate is required within the EU, the EEA, and Switzerland. The A1 certificate proves which country holds the employee’s social security coverage during their temporary stay abroad.

Clear rules and a digital process are crucial. “Companies should establish as a rule in advance which countries, lengths of stay, and activities are permitted.” says Schweigard. Employees can submit their applications digitally, providing details on their destination, duration, activities, nationality, and legal residency status. A dedicated software then assesses the relevant risks and triggers any required procedures, such as applying for an A1 certificate. Caution is also advised regarding the duration of stay and the nature of the work, as in certain cases, a taxable permanent establishment can be created, even without a physical office.

Read the full article (in German) here: https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/mittelstand/mittelstand-so-holen-sie-mehr-aus-ihrem-reisebudget-heraus/100245614.html