Our Expat legal experts keep you up-to-date with important changes in Belgium's Employment and Social security laws.

Employment and Social security law

LIMOSA – NEW EXEMPTIONS FOR BUSINESS TRIPS & CONGRESSES

Last week the Belgian Council of Ministers approved new exemptions to the obligation to apply for a Limosa-declaration for certain categories of persons coming over to Belgium for short periods.

As you will remember, LIMOSA was introduced on April 1, 2007 and consists in:

A mandatory declaration for each foreign seconded employee and all foreign self-employed persons working temporarily and/or partially in Belgium (comparable with the DIMONA-declaration for employees who are subject to the Belgian social security system)

An information exchange system between the different Regions (competent for the application for work permits), the Ministry for Middle Classes (for professional cards) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs (for residence permits). The information will become available and exchangeable between the different authorities

When Limosa was introduced earlier this year, exemptions were created for, amongst others, people attending meetings and scientific congresses (both for up to 5 days per calendar month) and certain categories of trainees. These exemptions did unfortunately not take into account the needs of the foreign business community in Belgium.

On 19 July 2007, the Belgian Council of Ministers approved the content of a new Royal Decree, exempting the hereafter mentioned categories from the Limosa obligation:

Persons attending scientific congresses (without limitation in time);

Persons attending meetings in closed circles, for up to 60 days per calendar year (limited up to 20 consecutive days per meeting).

The Royal Decree, introducing these exemptions, is expected to enter into force in September or October this year..

Do not hesitate to contact us should you require more detailed information.

Lawyers Lynn Bogaert and Matthias Lommers work for Belgian law firm Laga, located at www.laga.be or contactable by phone: 02 800 7000.

Lynn Bogaert, Advocate, Email: lybogaert@laga.be

Matthias Lommers, Advocaat, Email : mlommers@laga.be

To have your questions answered on Expatica, you can send an email to belgium@expatica.com.

Disclaimer: Although we verify the reliability of the information given, such information is general and neither Laga nor Expatica may be held responsible in any way for any possible error that might occur or for any use or interpretation that could be made of this information without the assistance of Laga. 

[Copyright Laga and Expatica 2007]
Subject: Expat news