Click here to go to 
AngloINFO Belgium's front page
Local Reference INFOrmation
INFOrmation

Living in Belgium - The System

Contents:
Introduction

Moving to Belgium
Registration Procedures
Movement of Goods and Capital
Moving Cars
Finding Accommodation
Finding a School

Living in Belgium
The System
Incomes and Taxation
Accommodation
Cultural & Social Life
Educational System
Private Life
Transport
The Health System
Cost of Living

Social Security
Social Security in Europe
General Organisation
Sickness Insurance
Family and Maternity Benefits
Old Age Insurance
Unemployment Benefits
E-forms

Working in Belgium
Recruitment
Applications
Recognition of Qualifications
Kinds of Employment
Employment Contracts
Remuneration
Working Time
Vocational Training
Leave: Sickness, Maternity
End of Employment
Self-employment
Special Categories
Representation of Workers
Work Disputes
The political, administrative and legal system
Belgium: a federal State

Belgium has been independent since 1830 and is a constitutional monarchy.

The main political parties in the country are the CDV (Dutch-speaking Christian Democrats), the CDH (French-speaking humanist centrist Democrats), the MR (French-speaking reformist-liberal movement), the VLD (Dutch-speaking Liberals), the SPA (Dutch-speaking Socialists), the PS (French-speaking Socialists), GROEN ! (Dutch-speaking environmentalists), ECOLO (French-speaking environmentalists).

The fundamental elements of the Belgium electoral system are set by the Constitution. Voting is by proportional representation based on universal suffrage. Nationals of other countries (EU Member States and third countries) may vote in municipal elections if they fulfil certain conditions. Non-European residents have had the right to vote in municipal elections since 2006.

Belgium is a representative parliamentary democracy. Federal legislative elections are held every four years, regional and European elections every five years, and municipal and provincial elections every six years.
Belgium is also a federal state.

In recent years, the country has evolved into an efficient federal structure, achieved via four State reforms (1970, 1980, 1988-89, 1993 and 2001). The first article of the Belgian Constitution states: ‘Belgium is a Federal State made up of Communities and Regions’.

The power to take decisions no longer resides exclusively with the Federal Government and Federal Parliament. Leadership of the country is now in the hands of various partners, who exercise their powers independently in their own areas.

The reorganisation of powers ran along two broad lines. The first concerns language and, in a wider framework, everything to do with culture. This gave rise to the Communities. The concept of ‘Community’ refers to the people who make up such a Community and to the ties that unite these people, namely their language and culture. Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French and German. Today, therefore, Belgium has three Communities: the Flemish, French and German-speaking Communities. These Communities thus correspond to the population groups.

The second main line of the State reform concerns the need for greater economic independence expressed by the regions. This has led to the creation of three regions: the Flemish Region, the Brussels Capital Region and the Walloon Region. To a certain extent the Belgian Regions are comparable to the American States and the German Länder. The country is further divided into 10 provinces and 589 municipalities.

Nevertheless, the Federal State still retains considerable power, among other things in the field of foreign affairs, national defence, justice, finance, social security, public health and internal affairs. The Regions and the Communities have the right, however, to maintain relations with other countries on matters within their competence.

It is not an easy matter to ensure the cohabitation of regional and cultural identities. However, this does offer the advantage of bringing the decision-making process closer to the people. The result is a more clearly defined political structure with greater emphasis on quality of life.

The Belgian legal system comprises regional courts (justice of the peace and police courts), district courts (court of first instance, trade tribunal, labour tribunal, and district tribunal), appeal courts (courts of appeal and labour matters), court of assizes and the court of cassation. In theory, access to the judiciary is on a paying basis. However, legal advice or legal aid may be available free of charge or by paying part of the costs. We advise you to enquire at the legal advice bureaux at the courts, some municipal administrations, not-for-profit bodies, etc.

For jobseekers, there are four public services providing help: ACTIRIS for the Brussels region, LE FOREM for the Walloon region, VDAB for the Dutch-speaking region and ADG for the German-speaking area of the country.
The ONEM is the public body responsible for providing unemployment benefits.

Text last edited on: 05/2009

Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2009
Reproduction is authorised.

The region at a glance
Franchising Opportunities
Franchising Opportunities Worldwide
Information is local; community is local - AngloINFO is local... in Belgium:
· AngloINFO Brussels

^ Top of Page ^


Page generated at 12:50; Saturday 7 November, 2009
Copyright © 2000-2009 AngloINFO Limited. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, About, Advertising, Contact.
AngloINFO: Everyday life in Belgium, in English

Find out more about AngloINFO in Belgium...