Latest blog articles

  • Mixed pension: civil servants pension up for revision

    The statutory pension of civil cervants in Belgium is on de verge of a reform. The legislative proposal ‘mixed pension’ will soon be introduced by law, after being the centre of intense debate for nearly a year. What exactly does ‘mixed pension’ mean?

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  • Poor public transport connections hinder labour mobility

    Stimulating cross-border labour mobility? Provide an adequate supply of information, uniformity in laws and regulations, language education and infrastructure, suggests 'ontgrenzer' Martin Unfried in an interview with EurekaRail.

    Wikimedia © Benjah - Klassiek Motorstel van de NMBS op het station van Maastricht
  • Who is a spouse for the purpose of EU free movement law?

    Union citizens have the right to be accompanied by their ‘spouse’ when exercising their mobility rights. But what if your spouse is denied right of residence because the destination Member State does not recognise your marriage?

    Flickr - © Robert Couse-Baker - Let freedom ring
  • ‘Expect no mercy’

    In November 2016 the Public Prosecution Department (OM) announced to prepare civil proceedings against the Bandidos Motorcycle Club (MC). The government has to protect the citizens. The freedom of association stops once the encouragement and the use of criminal acts starts. (Dutch only)

    Expect no mercy
  • The importance of a flexible AOW commencement date

    Last week, the Dutch and Belgian ombudsmen called on their governments to take action in the context of pensions problems for unemployed cross-border workers, aged 65, and living in Belgium. In response to this call, a possible solution by Expertise Centre ITEM is elaborated in this blog.

    This blog...

    Grenswerkers NL/BE
  • Myth: Brussels imposes nothing but annoying measures

    “The fact that there is a maximum number of hours in a week that you are allowed to work, that web shops are compelled to provide you with the option to return your purchase within seven days, that our tap water must meet certain requirements. This all sounds very Dutch, but it is in fact European...

    Europe blog_MLR