Originally Posted by
EatMyShorts!
Well, it depends on the context. Obviously there are certain rules for how many days you have to use your permanent gateway. We only count the off-days that need to be calculated/assumed to having been at your permanent gateway, so it is not a big problem to spend a few tours at another gateway per year, keeping it all legal. If it's within the same country, it is even easier as it won't have an impact. Our colleagues who live in Ibiza and Mallorca come to my mind, who need to use Barcelona as their permanent gateway. So far, Catalunya is part of Spain, so no problems.
No debate about same country. That's not the issue. But if one starts and ends more tours at their "temporary" gateway in another county than at their permanent one then problems must be expected down the road. The home base is where a crew member normally (i.e. most times) starts and ends their duty and where the operator is not responsible for accommodation. If that's not in the country of your permanent gateway then social security might become an issue at some point.