Employment and registration of EU citizens

Who is considered an EU citizen?

An EU citizen is every person who holds the nationality of one of the following countries: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, the Czech Republic, and Sweden. Citizens who hold the nationality of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland will be treated as EU citizens with regard to employment and registration.

What are the rules for employment and registration of EU citizens?

The Belgian government amended the Aliens Act on 25 April 2007 in order to adjust to the European Citizens’ Rights Directive, thus enlarging the implementation of the principles of EU citizenship and free movement for EU citizens. The amendments ensure that Belgian governments do not impose restrictions on EU citizens, other than those they impose on Belgian citizens.

EU citizens must be able to present an identity card, passport or any other official document proving their EU nationality. In order to be legally employed they do not have to present Annex 19, an electronic residence card E or E+ or any other ‘residence document’ or work permit.

Apply for a BIS number

To work legally, an employer can register a non-Belgian employee with the Belgian social security system through a BIS number in case the employee does not (yet) have a state registration number. The employer is not responsible for the registration or notification of his EU employee. He cannot be penalised for this.

You can also apply for a BIS number yourself as an employee.

• Through a form on the website www.sigedis.be. Sigedis can be reached at 02 212 02 55 (Nl) or 02 212 02 54 (Fr), or via ident@sigedis.fgov.be.
• Mail identiteit@stad.gent. Attach a scan of your passport or identity card to your e-mail.
• Go to afhaalbalie Burgerzaken at the Stadskantoor, Dienstencentrum Sint-Amandsberg or Dienstencentrum Gentbrugge, without an appointment.
• Go to Dienstencentrum NIeuw-Gent,  Dienstencentrum Wondelgem of Wijkkantoor Rabot, with an appointment.

Foreign job students

Sigedis cannot assign a BIS number to foreign job students. In that case the employer can submit a Dimona declaration without a BIS number. The employer must then have minimum identification data: surname, first name, date and place of birth, sex, address.

Occasional employees in agriculture and horticulture

Sigedis also cannot assign a BIS number to casual workers in agriculture and horticulture. These workers must go to their municipality to obtain a BIS number.

For more information you can contact Sigedis: tel. 02/212 02 55 or ident@sigedis.fgov.be or www.sigedis.be.