July heralds a multitude of changes to life in Belgium. We are highlighting 4 that may have a direct effect on your daily life. People with a second job as a ‘Flexi-jobber’ are getting more opportunities to earn extra income in a wider selection of economic sectors, online purchases from outside the EU will attract a new 3 euro tax, rail passengers will need to purchase a ticket before boarding, and – surprise, surprise - traffic fines are going up.
Flexi-jobs extended to all sectors
From 1 July, flexi-jobs will be available in virtually all sectors of Belgian economic life.
Flexi-jobs allow workers employed for at least four-fifths of full-time hours and pensioners to earn a little extra on the side by taking a second job. The scheme, which was introduced for the hospitality sector in 2015 and subsequently expanded gradually, means workers pay no tax on the first 18,440 euros of earnings per year. Employers pay a 28% contribution.
From 1 July, flexi-jobs are permitted in virtually all sectors. They are not permitted in certain protected professions and specific care roles, and the social partners, i.e. unions and employers, have the option to reject or regulate flexi-jobs at sector level.
3-euro levy on parcels from outside the EU
Anyone ordering goods online worth less than 150 euros from outside the European Union will pay a 3-euro levy from 1 July.
The measure is intended to discourage the import of cheap goods from countries like the People’s Republic of China and to combat unfair competition and fraud. The parcel tax is temporary, pending a permanent European-wide solution by mid-2028.
The levy applies per product category. If a single parcel contains items from multiple categories, you will pay 3 euros per category. So, for two pairs of trousers, you pay 3 euros; for a pair of trousers, a pair of shoes and a pair of earrings, you pay 9 euros!
The Belgian finance ministry expects that, in 95 per cent of cases, online retailers will automatically include the cost in your bill.
Belgian Rail will no longer sell tickets on board trains
From 1 July, train passengers will no longer be able to buy tickets on board. The current arrangement, whereby a ticket purchased from the conductor costs an extra 9 euros, will be abolished.
“There is one clear rule: every passenger must have a valid ticket in their possession before boarding and be able to show it during an inspection,” the state-owned rail company explains.
Anyone travelling without a valid ticket and only wishing to pay during a ticket inspection risks a fine of up to 500 euros! There are, however, options to regularise the situation, for example if a passenger has forgotten their season ticket or if there is no ticket office at the departure station and the ticket machine is not working.
The ending of on-board ticket sales applies to all trains operating in Belgium and to most cross-border services. There are exceptions for a number of international services.
Traffic fines to rise by 10 per cent
Belgian traffic fines will go up 10 per cent from 1 July. This is the first adjustment to the fixed penalty amounts for traffic offences since 2017.
A first-degree fine, for example for a minor speeding offence in a built-up area, will rise from 68 to 74 euros.
Second-degree fines, such as for not wearing a seatbelt, will rise from 126 to 138 euros.
Anyone caught using a mobile phone whilst driving (a third-degree offence) will have to pay 201 euros, compared with 184 euros at present.
Fines for drink-driving are also set to rise. For instance, anyone found to be just above the alcohol limit of 0.5 per mille will have to pay 207 euros (instead of 189 euros). Above 0.8 per mille, the fine will be 472 euros (instead of 430 euros).