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Brussels at a Glance

Social Security in Brussels

Cycling to work is a popular option in Brussels.

Double Taxation Treaties

EU nationals working in Brussels don’t have to worry about double taxation: they should be protected by various EU treaties to that effect. Belgium has signed double taxation treaties with a number of countries outside the EU as well. These treaties regulate any issues which might arise from the tax authority of the source country interfering with that of the country of residence. A complete list of taxation treaties including details of the individual arrangements is available on the FPS Finance website.

Social Security

Everyone who receives a salary from a company in Brussels automatically contributes to the Belgian social security system with 13.07 % of their gross monthly salary. The amount will be directly deducted from your salary and transferred to a social security funds, together with a 24.77 % contribution from the employer. Self-employed persons pay quarterly contributions. They are calculated on the basis of the annual net income they declared 3 years prior to the year when the contribution is due.

There are different social security schemes for employees, the self-employed, and civil servants. The 7 so-called classical sectors of the Belgian social security system include old age and survivor’s pensions, unemployment benefits, insurance for work accidents and occupational diseases, family benefits, compulsory insurance for medical care and benefits, and paid annual leave. The latter, however, is only paid out of social security funds to workers; employees have individual arrangements with their employers.

Social Security Agreements

EU/EEA nationals residing in Brussels have the same rights and duties as Belgian citizens when it comes to social security. They pay the same contributions, receive the same benefits and keep their rights to benefits, no matter where in the EU/EEA they reside, as contributions always add up. However, while this sounds nice in theory, you will often face some bureaucratic obstacles when it comes to claiming certain benefits.

Several non-EU member states have signed social security agreements with Belgium to make sure that no social security contributions and benefits are lost. For the exact terms and conditions of individual agreements, please refer to the website of the Belgian Social Security Portal and click on your country.

Currently, there are bilateral social security agreements between Belgium and the following countries: Algeria, Australia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Canada, Chile, Congo (DR), Croatia, India, Israel, Japan, Kosovo, Macedonia, Morocco, Montenegro, Philippines, San Marino, Serbia, South Korea, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay, and the US.