As at the start of every new month 1 July sees the introduction of a series of new measures that have an impact on our everyday lives. From today a new timetable came in to effect on the services operated by the Flemish public transport company De Lijn, in future many cars will only have to go and get a roadworthiness check every 2 years, Belgians will be able to change their surname once without a lot of administrative hassle and those that choose to carry on working for longer will be able to build up a so-called “pension bonus” for when they retire.
Most cars will only have to be inspected every 2 years
From 1 July, most private cars will only have to go for a check at a Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre every 2 years. Previously, vehicles that were older than 4 years had to be checked every year. Under the new measures cars between 4 and 10 years old that have less than 160,000 kilometres on the clock will be subject to biannual rather than annual inspections.
Under the new measures private cars, vans and light goods vehicles may now be inspected at a garage providing that the garage has installed the necessary equipment to carry out an inspection. The inspection will also have to be carried out by an inspector that works for an authorised inspection body. The new measures are intended as a means to take the pressure off inspection centres and reduce waiting times.
Modified timetable
Those taking the bus this summer should take into account that some changes have been made to the Flemish public transport company De Lijn's timetable. According to De Lijn, the adjustments are based on reactions from passengers. In Limburg province nothing will change In the other provinces there are some adjustments. New routes have been added while some others have seen their route number or frequency modified. Check De Lijn’s website for more details. Further changes will be made at the start of the new school year on 2 September.
Belgians can change their surname once
Every adult in Belgium will have the right to change their surname once from 1 July on condition that their new surname is that of their father, mother or a combination of both parents’ names. Choosing a completely new surname will not be possible.
Until now, those who wanted to change their surname had to go through a complex legal procedure. Moreover, you could only change your surname if there was a serious reason for doing so or in exceptional cases. From now on, an application can be made at the local Town Hall. However, those wishing to change their surname later in life, will still have to go through a complex procedure in order to do so.
People that work longer can accrue a pension bonus
Employees, the self-employed and civil servants that delay retirement and continue to work beyond their earliest retirement age will now be able to build up a so-called pension bonus. Each additional day worked counts towards the bonus. The maximum pension bonus will be paid to those that have worked 3 years beyond their earliest retirement date. The bonus is a net sum and is not subject to tax or social security.
However, in order to be entitled to the pension bonus, the earliest that you will be able to retire is is 1 January 2025. If you were able to retire on 1 July 2024 or before, but continued working, you will only start to accrue the pension bonus from today.