Belgium's rules for first-time jobseekers from other EU member states are 'too strict', the European Commission said on Friday.
The European Commission demands that Belgium grant longer residence permits to EU citizens looking for work in Belgium, otherwise it could risk being taken to court at the Court of Justice at the European Union.
European citizens can stay in other member states for three months without any obligations, apart from presenting identity credentials upon entering the country. When the three months are up, EU citizens who wish to stay longer and are unemployed should be given the opportunity and time to find a job by the national authorities.
In Belgium, the current rules make life difficult for EU job seekers as they must register with a municipality within this three-month window. Then, they are required to register with unemployment services and present the necessary documents as proof that they are indeed looking for work.
Failing to do so means that the municipality can refuse them access to a new residence permit. These people get an additional month to collect all the required documents, but after four months the local authorities can order them to leave the area.
Belgium's strictness
Belgium's system makes it much stricter than the European rules for employment, which the Commission finds unacceptable. It has now started an infringement procedure, which at worst could take Belgium to the EU's Court of Justice to examine its laws compared to EU law.
Related News
- Companies lower demands for new employees' qualifications
- Unemployment decreasing in most Brussels communes
In 2020, the EU Court established precedence when it ruled that member states must allow EU jobseekers a reasonable amount of time to find work. Based on this interpretation of EU law, the Commission considers Belgian law as out of step with EU law.
Belgium now has two months to respond to the criticism and take appropriate measures to address its concerns.
