Consult the full version of today's offical gazette here. Note that this blog post is not written by a human. It was generated by Artificial Intelligence. Read more about what this blog is here.

Summary of Recent Regulatory Changes in Belgium (June 17, 2025)

Key Changes

1. Amendment to the Royal Decree on Driving Licenses

On June 9, 2025, a Royal Decree modified the previous regulations concerning driving licenses, specifically addressing military personnel.

Changes:

• Military drivers can now obtain military driving licenses for all categories (including groups C and D) to be exchangeable for civilian licenses.
• The registration of a military driving license without professional qualification proof is now allowed under defined conditions.

Example of Situation Changed:

Previously, military personnel had restrictions on exchanging their military driving licenses for civilian ones, with certain categories excluded. With the new decree, if a military license is issued after May 1, 2025, it can be exchanged freely with a civilian license. This is especially relevant as military personnel transitioning to civilian jobs can now benefit from their newly acquired driver's licenses without restriction.

2. Establishment of Administrative Fees for 'Return to Work' Projects

On June 5, 2025, another Royal Decree set the amount for administrative costs for the year 2025, aimed at supporting the preparation and implementation of "Return to Work" projects for self-employed individuals.

Changes:

• The administrative costs granted to national unions for facilitating these projects have been set at €824,000 for 2025.
• The payment is aimed at facilitating self-employed workers and their spouses in successfully returning to work.

Example of Situation Changed:

Self-employed individuals who have struggled to return to the workforce can now benefit from structured and financially supported initiatives. For instance, a self-employed person recovering from a health issue can receive guidance and financial support to help reintegrate into the workforce through these designated projects.

3. Updates on Pharmaceutical Reimbursement Procedures

On June 11, 2025, a ministerial decree revised the existing list appended to the royal decree from November 23, 2021, which details procedures and conditions under which mandatory health insurance provides coverage for pharmaceutical treatments.

Changes:

• Inclusion of new medical criteria for reimbursement for specific treatments related to Crohn's disease in children.
• Adjustments made to the list of reimbursed pharmaceutical products based on recent medical guidelines and expert consultations.

Example of Situation Changed:

Children diagnosed with Crohn's disease can now get specific medical nutrition reimbursed, assisting families in managing the condition without additional financial burden. This effectively makes it easier for parents to ensure their children receive the necessary treatments without incurring significant costs.

4. Hunting Season Dates Defined

A decree issued on June 5, 2025, officially set the dates for the hunting season in Wallonia.

Changes:

• The hunting season will now run from July 1 to June 30 of the following year, making the rules consistent and clear for hunters.

Example of Situation Changed:

Hunters in Wallonia can now plan their hunting activities according to the newly defined and officially published hunting season dates, avoiding confusion regarding legal hunting periods.

5. Recognition of TurboPayroll as a Temporary Employment Agency

On June 10, 2025, TurboPayroll received formal recognition as a temporary employment agency.

Changes:

• This organization is now authorized to provide temporary workers for various businesses (excluding those under specific construction sector agreements).

Example of Situation Changed:

Companies can now effectively utilize TurboPayroll to access temporary labor without bureaucratic delays, thus enhancing workforce flexibility especially during peak operational periods.

Conclusion

These amendments demonstrate Belgium's commitment to improving regulatory frameworks to enhance job integration, healthcare affordability, and workforce management. Each change provides concrete benefits to various groups, underlining a proactive approach to workforce development and resource management.

Analysis

Note that the AI that generated below text was prompted to be critical and foucs on inconsistencies between new regulations and party promises. Always good to be critical towards the government!

Critical Analysis of Inconsistencies in Party Promises and Recent Regulatory Changes

N-VA (Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie): N-VA has emphasized supporting military personnel transitioning to civilian jobs, aligning with the new amendments allowing military driving licenses to be exchanged for civilian ones. This change reflects their commitment to workforce integration and efficiency. However, if these provisions do not extend adequate benefits to other groups facing employment transitions, such as veterans not in the military driving program, it could contradict their broader promise to support all job seekers effectively. Additionally, while boosting workforce flexibility through changes in temporary employment agency regulations aligns with their economic goals, they must ensure that the recognition of TurboPayroll does not come at the expense of working conditions for temporary employees.

MR (Mouvement Réformateur): MR focuses on reducing bureaucratic barriers and enhancing opportunities for workers. The measures to streamline the process for military personnel to convert their driving licenses could be seen as a progressive move, but if it complicates the regulations for other drivers or creates additional bureaucratic processes, it could contradict their promises to simplify governance. The establishment of administrative fees for "Return to Work" projects can support self-employed individuals; however, they should ensure that these projects do not lead to unnecessary administrative complications that could deter participation.

CD&V (Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams): CD&V emphasizes social welfare and the importance of supporting vulnerable workers. The provisions for pharmaceutical reimbursements for children with Crohn's disease align perfectly with their commitment to healthcare equity. Nonetheless, they must monitor how the changes in driving license regulations for military personnel affect other groups, ensuring that equal opportunities for all citizens exist, particularly those transitioning from military to civilian life. The focus on temporary employment agency recognition may also create concerns over labor protections if not accompanied by robust oversight.

Vooruit: Vooruit is dedicated to social equity and protecting the rights of marginalized groups. The increased access to health coverage for children with Crohn's disease is a significant advancement aligned with their agenda. However, they should be vigilant about the integration processes for self-employed individuals returning to work, ensuring that changes do not create additional barriers for those who may find it difficult to navigate new procedures. The regulations surrounding military driving licenses must also be evaluated to ensure that the focus on enabling opportunities for military personnel does not overshadow the needs of other workers.

Les Engagés: Les Engagés promote equity and social responsibility in governance. The recognition of TurboPayroll as a temporary employment agency aligns with their emphasis on fairness and access to job opportunities. However, they must ensure that this growth in agency options does not undermine job security for existing workers in traditional employment settings. The amendments in driving regulations that pertain to military personnel reflect their support for veterans, but they need to maintain a critical perspective on ensuring equal considerations for all workers facing transitions.

Conclusion

The regulatory changes published in the Belgian Official Gazette represent vital developments in healthcare, labor integration, and support for public service personnel. While many updates align with party promises focused on enhancing welfare and transparency, inconsistencies may arise regarding the balance between supporting specific groups and keeping a fair, accessible system for all citizens. Each party must navigate these complexities to ensure they honor their commitments while addressing the needs of various stakeholders in the evolving regulatory landscape.