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REQUIRED All of Belgium

A relative helps me in my restaurant or shop; do I have to declare them?

In short

Usually yes. In a company (BV/SRL), there is no exemption for relatives; a relative who helps must be declared through Dimona if they are a worker, or registered as self-employed if they are a partner. Only in a sole proprietorship can occasional help of less than 90 days a year be an exception.

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This rule in 62 seconds
Video transcript

Your nephew helps out in your restaurant every evening. Required: A company has no exception for relatives: a relative who is a worker is declared via Dimona before starting; a partner registers as self-employed. The right way: Register everyone who works for you in Dimona in advance. Sole traders have separate rules. Social criminal code (Level 4): Criminal fine per worker: 6.000 € – 70.000 €; Administrative fine: 3.000 € – 35.000 €; Prison: 6 months – 3 years.

What is not allowed, what is required?

  • Every worker must be declared to social security through Dimona before they start work. Only a few people are exempt from this declaration, for example genuine volunteers and people with self-employed status (zelfstandige / indépendant).
  • In a company (BV / SRL), there is no “family help” exception: even a relative must be registered as a worker or a partner.
  • In a sole proprietorship (eenmanszaak / entreprise individuelle), someone who helps now and then and for less than 90 days a year can count as an “occasional helper”; for regular help, registration with social insurance is required. A spouse has a special status (meewerkende echtgenoot / conjoint aidant).
  • If there is a relationship of authority, such as instructions and working hours, the person is not a helper but a worker.
  • Before hiring someone, you must check their residence document and keep a copy; employing a foreigner who has no right of residence is level 4; employing a foreigner who has a right of residence but no work permit (or who works in breach of the permit conditions) is level 3.

Penalty and indirect consequences

PENALTY NOTICESocial Criminal Code, level 4
Fine / payment
Social Criminal Code level 4 (since 1 September 2026): a criminal fine of 6.000–70.000 € or an administrative fine of 3.000–35.000 € per worker; multiplied by the number of workers (up to 100 times)

Legal basis:Kamer DOC 56 1094/001 + GwH 61/2026, art. 181 §1Sociaal Strafwetboek, art. 103 (GwH 61/2026)

Court / prison
6 months – 3 years in prison. For a violation committed knowingly and willingly, the fine is at least half of the maximum (at least 35.000 € criminal or 17.500 € administrative per worker).

Legal basis:Sociaal Strafwetboek, art. 101 (GwH 61/2026)FOD WASO – Wijzigingen Sociaal Strafwetboek

What does this level mean? Social Criminal Code, level 4: 6 months – 3 years in prison and/or a criminal fine of €6,000 – €70,000, or an administrative fine of €3,000 – €35,000. All penalty levels →

What really matters: the indirect consequences

Why does this rule exist?

No social security contributions are paid for someone who works undeclared; this work does not count towards retirement and other rights. A business that uses undeclared work competes unfairly with competitors who follow the rules. Social security depends on everyone paying contributions.

Where can you go?

  • Accountant or social secretariatDimona, e-invoicing and tax obligations
  • Organisations for self-employed peopleFlanders: Unizo · Wallonia and Brussels: UCM
  • Tax office (FOD Financiën / SPF Finances)Declaring foreign property and accounts
  • Social interpreterAt the municipality, the OCMW/CPAS, school and hospital, you can ask for an interpreter in your language; it is often free.

This site does not handle individual cases; it points you to the right service. All help addresses

Source and reliability

Official source
Source check
18 / 18 statements in an official source
Checked: 02.11.2026
Last checked
22.10.2026
Rules can change
Show the 18 checked statementsopen

The checked statements are in Turkish, as in the source text. This check does not replace legal advice.

General information, not legal advice. For your own situation, ask a lawyer or free legal aid. How was this information prepared?

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