How to Get Unemployment Benefits in Belgium

If you have moved abroad to work in Belgium and find your self unemployed you may want to panic at the loss of income. If you have been working legally and having contributions withheld from your paycheck for the Belgian social security system then there is no need to panic. In fact, unemployment insurance is a mandatory contribution for all employees and employers in Belgium.

While you will be eligible for unemployment benefits in Belgium as an expatriate, you should know that there are a number of complicated requirements and restrictions that you will have to surpass in order to begin receiving benefits.

Like in the United States, you can only get unemployment benefits in Belgium if you become unemployed involuntarily through no actions of your own. You cannot quit your job and get benefits. Although, under certain conditions you may be able to get benefits if you have been fired, but only after some time has passed and you have been unsuccessful in finding employment.

You will need to be willing and able to work. You will also need to check in with the local benefits office on a regular basis. You will need to have worked for at least 312 days in the previous 18 months before losing your job if you are under the age of 36. If you are between the ages of 36 and 50 you will need to have worked at least 468 days in the last 27 months before losing your job. And if you are over the age of 50 you will need to have worked at least 624 days in the past 36 months before losing your job. If you are over age 50 and take part in some early retirement scheme then you get special benefits. And all unemployment benefits end when you reach age 65, the retirement age in Belgium.

To apply for benefits you will need to go to one of the trade union run unemployment agencies regardless of your union status or you can go to the state financed Auxiliary Fund for Payment of Unemployment benefits office. Once you register benefits begin immediately unless you are still getting compensation from your previous employer. If you were fired from your job then there is a waiting period of four to 26 weeks.

You will also need to register with the state unemployment office and check in with them at least twice a month.

The amount of your benefit payment depends upon the size of your family. If you are single then you get 60 percent of your previous salary. If you have a spouse that has income you only get 55 percent of your previous salary. If you are single your payment amount decreases to 42 percent after one year, but if you have dependents it does not. If your spouse is employed your benefit decreases to 35 percent after one year and you will only get it for three months. Once that period passes you will only get 13 Euros per day.