Belgium’s July 1: Flexi-Jobs, Package Tax, Higher Fines
A sweeping wave of new regulations takes effect across Belgium on July 1, 2026, touching nearly every aspect of daily life. The flexi-job system expands from select sectors to virtually all industries, a new €3 EU-wide customs duty on packages from outside the European Union comes into force, and traffic fines increase by 10% across the board. The changes, enacted under Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s coalition government, reflect a broad reform agenda focused on labor market flexibility, fiscal consolidation, and alignment with EU regulations, as reported by VRT NWS.
Flexi-Jobs: From Hospitality to Every Sector
The flexi-job system, first introduced in 2015 for the hospitality sector and gradually expanded over the past decade, is now extended to virtually all private and public sectors. Employees working at least 80% of a full-time schedule, as well as pensioners, can earn supplemental income through flexi-jobs, with earnings tax-free up to €18,440 per year. Employers pay a 28% contribution on flexi-job wages.
According to The Brussels Times, the government gave the green light “despite strong concerns from trade unions over the effect on the country’s budget.” Some protected professions and certain healthcare functions are excluded, and social partners retain the option to opt out or regulate flexi-jobs at the sector level. A legal analysis by BDO Belgium confirms that all sectors have the right to request a full or partial opt-out.
New €3 Package Tax Hits Online Shoppers
Starting July 1, all packages imported from outside the EU valued at under €150 are subject to a flat-rate customs duty of €3 per product category. The measure, part of a broader EU customs reform, is temporary until mid-2028. Crucially, the €3 fee is charged per product category, not per package — meaning a single box containing a pair of jeans and a pair of shoes incurs €6 in duties.
Francis Adyns, spokesperson for the Federal Public Service Finance (FOD Financiën), explained the mechanics in a detailed Q&A with VRT NWS WinWin: “The fixed amount of €3 is not necessarily paid per package. Import duties are calculated per type of product. There is a long, detailed list that also takes into account the material from which a product is made.”
Belgian VAT (typically 21%, or 6% for books) is also charged on the customs value plus import duties. If the seller does not pre-collect these charges, courier companies add handling fees — bpost, for example, charges €21.50 for packages under €150. Consumer organization Test-Aankoop warns that a small order can more than double in total cost after duties, VAT, and administrative fees are applied. Gifts from private individuals valued under €45 remain exempt if clearly marked as such.
The tax aims to discourage cheap imports from Chinese platforms such as Shein, Temu, and AliExpress, combat unfair competition and fraud, and address the environmental damage from excessive small-parcel shipping. In 2024, 91% of the 4.6 billion packages entering the EU came from China.
Traffic Fines Rise 10% After Nine Years
All immediate penalty traffic fines increase by 10% starting July 1 — the first adjustment since 2017. A basic speeding fine in a built-up area rises from €58 to €64 (or €68 to €74 including the administration fee). Fines for not wearing a seatbelt increase from €126 to €138, and using a phone while driving jumps from €184 to €201. Alcohol-related fines also rise: €189 to €207 for exceeding the 0.5‰ limit, and €430 to €472 for the 0.8‰ threshold.
Additionally, drivers caught with a positive alcohol test now face an automatic 12-hour driving ban, replacing the previous range of 2 to 12 hours. The government expects the increases to generate approximately €50 million annually, earmarked for the justice system.
However, the rationale has drawn criticism. As AutoNext noted in its editorial: “When €600 million a year is already flowing in from more than 10 million fines, raising the amounts by 10 percent without a corresponding new safety rationale feels a lot less like protecting road users and a lot more like topping up a budget on the backs of ordinary drivers.”
Other Notable Changes
Several additional measures take effect on July 1. Self-employed women can now take 15 weeks of maternity leave, up from 12, matching the employee sector. Caregiver leave extends from 3 to 6 months per care-dependent person, with more flexible scheduling options. Physiotherapists and midwives are now permitted to offer video consultations under certain conditions.
The social tariff for natural gas rises by 15% for approximately 500,000 eligible Belgians, while the electricity social tariff increases by an average of 1.4%. Belgian railway company NMBS will no longer sell tickets on trains, with fines of up to €500 for traveling without a valid ticket. Flemish public transport operator De Lijn adjusts approximately one in three bus and tram lines, scrapping more than 40 routes. The Brussels Low Emission Zone begins issuing €350 fines for Euro 5 diesel and Euro 2 petrol vehicles, affecting over 13,000 vehicles.
What to Watch For
The package tax, while temporary, raises questions about enforcement given the volume of parcels — 3.6 million annually at Liège airport alone. An additional “processing tax” of €2-€3 is expected in November 2026, and it remains unclear whether the temporary measures will become permanent after 2028. The flexi-job expansion may reduce undeclared work but could also shift incentives away from full-time employment. And whether the traffic fine increase improves road safety or simply serves as a revenue measure remains an open debate.