14 rules
I run a business / I am an employer
Employee declaration, help from relatives, the cash limit and e-invoicing.
- ☐ Not allowed: Can I accept more than 3.000 € in cash from a customer? — No. A business may accept at most 3.000 € in cash for goods or services. Anything above that must be paid by bank transfer or card.
- ☐ Not allowed: Can I park briefly in an electric vehicle charging space, a loading bay or at a taxi rank? — No, unless your vehicle is the type shown on the sign. Charging spaces are only for electric and hybrid electric vehicles, and if there is a charging point, the vehicle must be plugged in. Loading bays and taxi ranks are also off limits for other uses.
- ☐ Not allowed: If I am turned away when renting a home, applying for a job or in a shop because of my origin or my religion, is that a crime? — Yes, it can be. Deliberately treating someone differently because of their origin, religion or another protected characteristic is a crime when letting a home, at work, and in goods and services offered to the public (level 2). You can report it to Unia free of charge.
- ☐ Required: Can I carry 10.000 € or more in cash when I travel to or from a country outside the EU? — Yes, but you must declare it to customs. When you enter or leave the EU, you must declare cash of 10.000 € or more (including foreign currency and investment gold).
- ☐ Required: A relative helps me in my restaurant or shop; do I have to declare them? — 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.
- ☐ Required: Can I still send a PDF or paper invoice to another business? — No. Since 1 January 2026, invoices between VAT-registered businesses (B2B) must be structured electronic invoices. The standard channel is the Peppol network.
- ☐ Required: I am ill and cannot go to work. When must I tell my employer, and do I need a doctor's certificate? — Yes. You must tell your employer straight away. If a certificate is requested, you usually have to hand it in within 2 working days. Twice a year, you may not need a certificate for the first day of illness.
- ☐ Required: Do I have to file a tax return every year? Do I need to do anything about the 'proposal' from the tax authorities? — Yes. From the age of 18, you must file a return every year, even if you had no income. If the tax authorities have sent you a ready-made proposal, checking it may be enough.
- ☐ Required: Do I have to sort the waste from my restaurant, shop or office? What changes if I use a private waste collector? — Yes. Businesses must also sort their waste, and the list is longer than for households: it includes food waste and frying oil. In Wallonia, the duty applies above certain quantities. Using a private waste collector does not remove the duty; keep the contract and the collection records.
- ☐ Depends: Can I lend money at interest to people I know? When does it become illegal usury (loan sharking)? — It depends. Lending money is not a criminal offence in itself. But exploiting someone's difficult situation to demand interest or other benefits far above the normal rate is usury (level 2).
- ☐ Depends: My employer has dismissed me. How much notice am I entitled to, and can I ask why? — Yes, in most cases. The notice period depends on your length of service and when you started. In the private sector, if you have worked there for at least 6 months, you can ask in writing why you were dismissed.
- ☐ Depends: I am a student. How many hours a year can I work as a student, and what should I watch out for? — Since 2025 you can work 650 hours a year at a reduced contribution rate. Working more is not forbidden, but normal contributions are due on the extra hours. It may also affect child benefit and your parents' taxes.
- ☐ Depends: I run a stall at a market or fair. Do I have to use Dutch? — It depends. Some Flemish municipalities require the text on market and fair stalls to be in Dutch. The rules vary from one municipality to another, so check your own municipality's regulations.
- ☐ Depends: What is a flexi-job? Who can do one, how much can I earn tax-free and what should I watch out for? — A flexi-job is a side job for people who work at least 4/5 in their main job or who are retired. The worker pays no contributions; if not retired, the worker also pays no tax up to €18,440 a year in 2026. If the conditions are not met, it counts as an ordinary job.
Do not do this (3)
Work and moneyNot allowed
Can I accept more than 3.000 € in cash from a customer?
No. A business may accept at most 3.000 € in cash for goods or services. Anything above that must be paid by bank transfer or card.Open the rule TrafficNot allowed· Traffic offence, degree 1Can I park briefly in an electric vehicle charging space, a loading bay or at a taxi rank?
No, unless your vehicle is the type shown on the sign. Charging spaces are only for electric and hybrid electric vehicles, and if there is a charging point, the vehicle must be plugged in. Loading bays and taxi ranks are also off limits for other uses.Open the rule Criminal lawNot allowed· Criminal Code, level 2If I am turned away when renting a home, applying for a job or in a shop because of my origin or my religion, is that a crime?
Yes, it can be. Deliberately treating someone differently because of their origin, religion or another protected characteristic is a crime when letting a home, at work, and in goods and services offered to the public (level 2). You can report it to Unia free of charge.Open the ruleYou must do this (6)
Travel and customsRequired
Can I carry 10.000 € or more in cash when I travel to or from a country outside the EU?
Yes, but you must declare it to customs. When you enter or leave the EU, you must declare cash of 10.000 € or more (including foreign currency and investment gold).Open the rule Work and moneyRequired· Social Criminal Code, level 4A relative helps me in my restaurant or shop; do I have to declare them?
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.Open the rule Work and moneyRequiredCan I still send a PDF or paper invoice to another business?
No. Since 1 January 2026, invoices between VAT-registered businesses (B2B) must be structured electronic invoices. The standard channel is the Peppol network.Open the rule Work and moneyRequiredI am ill and cannot go to work. When must I tell my employer, and do I need a doctor's certificate?
Yes. You must tell your employer straight away. If a certificate is requested, you usually have to hand it in within 2 working days. Twice a year, you may not need a certificate for the first day of illness.Open the rule Work and moneyRequiredDo I have to file a tax return every year? Do I need to do anything about the 'proposal' from the tax authorities?
Yes. From the age of 18, you must file a return every year, even if you had no income. If the tax authorities have sent you a ready-made proposal, checking it may be enough.Open the rule Work and moneyRequiredDo I have to sort the waste from my restaurant, shop or office? What changes if I use a private waste collector?
Yes. Businesses must also sort their waste, and the list is longer than for households: it includes food waste and frying oil. In Wallonia, the duty applies above certain quantities. Using a private waste collector does not remove the duty; keep the contract and the collection records.Open the ruleIt depends (5)
Criminal lawDepends· Criminal Code, level 2