Tags: Employment
Belgium immigration update: new Annex 64 and other changes for frontier workers
New rules recently came into force, modernising how frontier workers enter and leave Belgium. Frontier workers who do not have the nationality of an EEA country or Switzerland must now hold an Annex 64, or a specific D visa, to enter and leave Belgium for a period exceeding 90 days. This article gives a short overview of the main changes. Importantly, these changes do not affect a frontier worker’s right to work in Belgium.
New Flemish Fee for Single Permit Applications from 1 September 2026
As of 1 September 2026, employers applying for a single permit in the Flemish Region will be required to pay a retribution of EUR 180 per application. The retribution applies to both first applications and renewals and will be collected via the One-Stop Counter (“Uniek Loket” / “Guichet Unique”) at the time of submission. Applications […]
Are you up-to-date with the new rules on voluntary overtime hours?
Voluntary overtime hours are popular with employers because they allow them to have their employees perform overtime without any justification ground being required. Whilst the system was rather complex in the past, with two different types of voluntary overtime hours applying, namely “ordinary” voluntary overtime hours and the so-called “relance” overtime hours, it has now […]
Game-changing rules for managing sick leave: What every employer must know now
The landscape of employee incapacity has fundamentally shifted. Are you prepared? On 1 January 2026, new legal rules entered into force aimed at accelerating the reintegration of incapacitated employees. They include important changes to the reintegration track and the force majeure track, as well as the obligation for employers to include a procedure for maintaining […]
One Year of Arizona: Key Employment Law Reforms – What’s Been Done and What’s to Come?
Just over a year ago, the Arizona Government unveiled an ambitious employment and social security reform agenda in its Coalition Agreement. Since then, major political agreements reached during Easter, Summer and Budget negotiations have introduced significant employment law changes, including …
Be ready for the long-awaited Flemish duty of care obligation in the construction sector: update your agreements and compliance procedures now
From 1 January 2026, a duty of care obligation applies to clients [1] and (sub)contractors active in the construction sector [2]. Some years ago, the Flemish government launched the idea of optimising contractor chain responsibility schemes in case of illegal employment, but actual implementation has taken some time. In the meantime, the obligations have been […]
The 10 EUR meal voucher is officially here
In its Coalition Agreement, the government had already announced that during this legislative term, the maximum amount of meal vouchers would be increased twice by 2 EUR. A first increase – from 8 EUR to a maximum of 10 EUR – was published in the Belgian Official Gazette on 17 November 2025. As of 1 […]
A medical certificate: not always what it seems
When an employee is unable to work due to illness, the employer may request a medical certificate. This obligation usually stems from the work rules. A medical certificate confirms the incapacity for work and its likely duration. In addition, the medical certificate also clarifies whether an employee is allowed to leave their place of residence. […]
Pay more to your employees and less to the social security regime : the social security contribution exemption for high wages
In Belgium, employers’ social security contributions have always been due on an employee’s full uncapped salary. The Programme Act of 18 July 2025 caused a ‘minor earthquake’ by introducing, for the first time, a cap on employers’ social security contributions providing that, from 1 July 2025, no basic employer contributions would be due anymore on […]
Employer of Record in Belgium: the Flemish Government clarifies its position
Despite the grey legal area in which EoRs operate, their number has continued to grow in recent years. As there is no clear legal framework governing EoR activities in Belgium, the question arose how an EoR should position itself on the Belgian labour market: as a (heavily regulated) temporary work agency, or as a service provider offering HR solutions?
From additional fees to ‘fast lanes’: 10 upcoming changes in Flemish labour migration
On 9 May 2025, the Flemish government approved the Flemish Minister for Work’s new concept note setting out a tightened and integrated labour migration policy based on 10 core principles. The proposed measures introduce stricter and more costly procedures for employers seeking to hire third-country nationals in Flanders. At the same time, the note promises […]
Skipping indexations: myth or fact?
In its judgment of 27 February 2025,[1] the Brussels labour court ruled that an employer in the insurance sector was entitled to unilaterally terminate the company practice of indexing full gross monthly wages exceeding the highest sector-level pay scale. According to the court, the employer had served notice in time to the employees about its […]
Employment contract termination: recent case law highlights
Staff dismissal is a key aspect of every HR professional’s role. However, keeping up with evolving legal developments can be a challenge. Employment termination rules are shaped not only by legislation but also by ongoing case law developments. In our upcoming webinar, we’ll highlight a selection of relevant recent court decisions relating to, amongst others, […]
The Mons Labour Court’s addition of a new condition for the validity of a non-solicitation clause : the beginning of a new era?
In a recently-published judgment [1] the Mons Labour Court has shed new light on the validity of a so-called non-solicitation clause in an employment contract, i.e. a clause prohibiting an employee from soliciting or enticing away customers and/or personnel from the (former) employer. Where certain case law had already pointed out in the past that, […]
Three months’ protection indemnity for a dismissed DPO
In a recent judgment,[1] the French-speaking section of the Brussels Labour Court confirmed that a Data Protection Officer (DPO) may not be penalised or dismissed for reasons related to his/her function as a DPO, based on Article 38, §3 of the GDPR. The court ruled that the employer had violated this provision as it had failed to prove that the employment contract’s termination was not linked to the employee’s DPO role…
The long-awaited Coalition Agreement at a glance: what HR measures will employers face? | part 6: (International) labour market
After months of negotiations, the Arizona parties forming the new government reached a Coalition Agreement on 31 January 2025. This Coalition Agreement has announced a number of ambitious measures that will bring about significant changes in employment and social security law.
The ALTIUS Employment Team gives you an overview of the most important announced HR measures in a series of 6 “highlights”.
The long-awaited Coalition Agreement at a glance: what HR measures will employers face? | part 5: Incapacity for work and well-being
After months of negotiations, the Arizona parties forming the new government reached a Coalition Agreement on 31 January 2025. This Coalition Agreement has announced a number of ambitious measures that will bring about significant changes in employment and social security law.
The ALTIUS Employment Team gives you an overview of the most important announced HR measures in a series of 6 “highlights”.
The long-awaited Coalition Agreement at a glance: what HR measures will employers face? | part 4 : End-of-career and pensions
After months of negotiations, the Arizona parties forming the new government reached a Coalition Agreement on 31 January 2025. This Coalition Agreement has announced a number of ambitious measures that will bring about significant changes in employment and social security law.
The ALTIUS Employment Team will give you an overview of the most important announced HR measures in a series of 6 “highlights”, grouped around 6 “domains”.
The long-awaited Coalition Agreement at a glance: what HR measures will employers face? | part 3 : Dismissal and unemployment
After months of negotiations, the Arizona parties forming the new government reached a Coalition Agreement on 31 January 2025. This Coalition Agreement has announced a number of ambitious measures that will bring about significant changes in employment and social security law.
The ALTIUS Employment Team will give you an overview of the most important announced HR measures in a series of 6 “highlights”.
The long-awaited Coalition Agreement at a glance: what HR measures will employers face? | part 2 : Working time
After months of negotiations, the Arizona parties forming the new government reached a Coalition Agreement on 31 January 2025. This Coalition Agreement has announced a number of ambitious measures that will bring about significant changes in employment and social security law.
The ALTIUS Employment Team will give you an overview of the most important announced HR measures in a series of 6 “highlights”.
The long-awaited Coalition Agreement at a glance: what HR measures will employers face? | part 1: salary (cost) and benefits
After months of negotiations, the Arizona parties forming the new government reached a Coalition Agreement on 31 January 2025. This Coalition Agreement has announced a number of ambitious measures that will bring about significant changes in employment and social security law.
The ALTIUS Employment Team will give you an overview of the most important announced HR measures in a series of 6 “highlights”.
Including “affirmative action measures” in your diversity and inclusion policy: what employers need to know
The employer and employee organisations in the National Labour Council have added a new chapter to the well-known CBA 32bis on the safeguarding of employees’ rights in the event of a transfer of undertaking. From now on, the employee representatives, or in the absence of a representative body, the employees themselves, can request …
New information and consultation obligation for a transfer of undertaking
The employer and employee organisations in the National Labour Council have added a new chapter to the well-known CBA 32bis on the safeguarding of employees’ rights in the event of a transfer of undertaking. From now on, the employee representatives, or in the absence of a representative body, the employees themselves, can request …
Contractor chains in the construction sector: significant limitations for subcontractors from 1 January 2025
Although subcontractors can bring a wealth of specialisation and expertise into technical construction projects, contractor chains are also often associated with social dumping and the exploitation of workers.