Belgium Modifies New Entry Policy

The Belgian government plans to require only those foreign travelers working at least seven consecutive days in a single month—instead of the current five days—to file a declaration with the country prior to entry under the terms of its new Limosa program.

Limosa advisor general Karel Deridder this month told attendees at the Association of Corporate Travel Executives' Global Education Conference in Miami that he does not expect Belgium to begin assessing penalties to violators until October—and the country likely would impose maximum $8,000 or imprisonment penalties only on companies that egregiously violate several labor laws. The Belgian government on April 1 enacted Limosa, requiring travelers or their organizations to register their visit to the country prior to entry (BTN, April 23).

Deridder's comments at the ACTE conference followed the travel association's invitation to fully explain the new program, citing confusion among travel managers. ACTE previously had requested the Belgian government delay penalties for Limosa noncompliance until the program could be more widely understood (BTNonline, April 10).

Deridder described the time between now and Sept. 30 as a "transitional period" for Limosa, where violators would draw "no serious sanctions." During that period, Deridder said Belgian authorities would "take a coaching role" to violators.

"Belgium does not wish to obstruct free trade," Deridder said. Deridder noted that the Limosa mandatory declaration was enacted to monitor foreign workers—particularly those from Eastern European nations that have joined the European Union—and ensure employers were handling such employees within the bounds of Belgian labor laws.

However, the program unintentionally caused headaches for some international companies sending employees to Belgium on business travel.

The Belgian Social Security Administration's limosa.be Web site, through which employers can register on behalf of travelers prior to entry into the country, says employers or organizations sending personnel on business to Belgium must make the declaration and that "a third party can also do this on your behalf." The site also notes, "Every applicant shall immediately receive a Limosa-1 certificate of every declaration. The electronic versions of these certificates have to be printed out. Every posted employee, self-employed person or apprentice must be able to produce this Limosa-1 to his Belgian client or principal." Deridder said Belgium would monitor Belgian businesses to ensure workers and business travelers are adequately documented.

Belgian Social Security officials confirmed that the new rules apply to business travelers from foreign countries, including those in the European Union, working more than seven consecutive days. Belgian officials have exempted government personnel and scientists, among others. One company in an internal memo said employees with a Belgian employment contract, who "contribute to Belgium Social Security," also are exempt.