My employer has given me a Limosa/A1 certificate. Is this document sufficient for me to come and work in Belgium?

What is a Limosa? What is an A1?

Neither a Limosa or A1 document grant the right to work. These are mandatory documents that inform the Belgian State that you are employed by a company abroad and that you are coming to work in Belgium on a temporary basis as part of a posting. During a posting, social security contributions are paid in the other country, not to the Belgian State.

A Limosa is only one of the many documents required for a lawful posting. This document alone does not entitle you to work in Belgium.

The same applies to the A1 certificate. This document is used to prove in another Member State that, as a posted worker, you are not subject to social security contributions in Belgium. Instead, it shows you are subject to social security contributions in the country in which you have an employment contract. It is one of the many documents required for a lawful posting. This document is not sufficient on its own.

Conditions for an exemption from work permit requirements via posting

Not all posting cases fall under the Vander Elst exemption. You are exempt from the single permit or work permit requirement if you have completed the Limosa declaration and:

• You have the right to reside in the Member State where you live for more than 3 months;
• You are legally employed in the Member State in which you reside;
• Your residence and work permit for the other country must be valid for at least the duration of your employment in Belgium;
• You have a valid employment contract in your country of origin;

You have a passport and residence permit that are valid until the end of your period of service. You must be able to return to your country of origin or residence.

Please note! The exemption only covers work permits. You are also required to report your presence as a resident to the Belgian authorities.

What do I need to do when I arrive in Belgium?

What should I do if my employer has not provided me with the necessary documents? Can I work in Belgium?

No, your posting is probably not valid. You also need to ask yourself whether your labour rights are being respected and whether you are actually entitled to work in Belgium. If your posting is not valid, you are also running a risk, especially in the event of an accident at work.

A posting is, by definition, temporary! Depending on the situation, it can last a few weeks, a few months or even a few years. However, it cannot last any longer than 5 years. After 5 years, you will be required to pay Belgian social security contributions.