TN 2 (10-08)

RS 02002.130 Government Employee Rule Under the Agreement with Denmark

A. Policy - Vienna conventions

In general, nationals of a country who work abroad in the diplomatic or consular services of their country are exempt, under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, from Social Security coverage and taxes under the laws of the host country unless that exemption is specifically waived. The Conventions, to which both the United States and Denmark are parties, apply to:

  • members of the staff of a diplomatic or consular mission, including the diplomatic, consular, administrative and technical staffs,

  • dependents of members of those staffs who form part of the members’ households,

  • the domestic service staffs of those missions, and

  • under certain conditions, the private servants employed by members of such missions.

B. Policy covering the agreement provisions

The agreement does not affect the coverage of U.S. or Danish Government employees to whom the Vienna Conventions apply.

The agreement establishes the following rules for government employees not covered by the Vienna Conventions:

  • U.S. nationals employed by the U.S. Government in Denmark are subject to U.S. law only (Social Security and Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) or Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS)).

  • Danish nationals employed by the Danish Government in the United States are subject to Danish law only.

    NOTE: For purposes of applying this provision of the agreement, the term U.S. Government employee includes employees of the Federal Government or any of its instrumentalities. The term Danish Government employee includes employment by Danish public employers.

C. Reference

RS 01802.050, Citizenship, Residence, and Geographical Source of Income


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0302002130
RS 02002.130 - Government Employee Rule Under the Agreement with Denmark - 10/24/2008
Batch run: 10/24/2008
Rev:10/24/2008