Limosa: Belgium’s New Advance Registration for Business Travel

Business travelers to Belgium who intend to work more than 5 consecutive days in a one month period are now required to register with the country prior to entry. International business travelers working more than five consecutive days during a single month in Belgium now are required to register with the country prior to entry. For those who want to skip the registration process, be aware the Belgian government will enforce penalties for noncompliance of $8,000 or imprisonment. Goodness.

The ACTE is asking government officials to suspend the program’s penalties until May 1, 2007 to tell the people about the program. The article I just read in BTN Online was the first I’ve heard of the new rules.

Employers may register for travelers on limosa.be prior to entry into the country. The site requires employers or organizations sending personnel on business to Belgium to make the declaration and that “a third party can also do this on your behalf.” Does that mean a travel planner? According to the website, “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.” Like printing out your e-ticket.

There are exemptions for government personnel and scientists, as well as others.