Effective 1 January 2014, the salary thresholds set by the Employment Contracts Act of 3 July 1978 are the following:
| Statutory amounts | Indexed amounts 2013 | Indexed amounts 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| EUR 16,100 | EUR 32,254 | EUR 32,886 |
| EUR 19,300 | EUR 38,665 | EUR 39,422 |
| EUR 32,200 | EUR 64,508 | EUR 65,771 |
source: Belgian Official Gazette of 25 October 2013
With the new provisions regarding the unified status of white-collar and blue-collar workers – which are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2014-, these new thresholds will no longer have a relevance in respect of:
- probationary periods, which will cease to exist on 1 January 2014. The 2013 indexed amounts will continue to apply for employment contracts the performance of which started before that date and which already included a probationary period;
- the duration of the notice periods, which will solely depend on the worker’s seniority. The 2013 indexed amounts will, however, continue to be used to determine the notice period for the seniority acquired prior to 31 December 2013.
These thresholds will nonetheless still be relevant for the schooling, arbitration and non-competition clauses and the characterisation as a highly qualified worker, managerial employee and executive staff member under the work permits legislation.
In respect of the latter, the new amounts determining the required minimum gross salary of a foreign employee(for work permit purposes) are the following as from 1 January 2014:
- highly qualified employee: EUR 39,422
- executive staff member: EUR 65,771
Please note that all work permit applications (including renewals) linked to an employment that will start in (or continues to exist after) 2014 should already comply with these new thresholds.
