Every year, the social fraud that plagues Belgium weakens public finances and increases the burden on companies that respect the rules. In this context, a recent legislative reform, which is still at the preliminary draft stage, marks an evolution. The text aims to strengthen sanctions, clarify responsibilities and modernise the fight against fraud in social benefits.
What are the concrete objectives of this new law, its main measures and its impacts on Belgian companies? Finovox guides you step by step so you can prepare for its entry into force!
In Belgium, social fraud is one of the main concerns of public authorities. On a daily basis, it weakens the financing of Social Security and threatens equity between citizens and businesses. While new operating methods are emerging and social benefits misappropriated by fraudsters are becoming more and more numerous (source: Finovox anti-fraud study in Belgium)... The amount of social fraud in Belgium weighs heavily on public finances.
The government has thus presented, the July 11, 2025, a preliminary bill ambitious to fight against social fraud and social dumping.
The aim of this new law?
Update financial sanctions and strengthen the prosecution policy in order to discourage any attempt at fraud.
Among other things, the text provides for:
This new law aims to maintain the balance of the system, while ensuring that public assistance remains accessible to those who really need it.
To strengthen the fight against social fraud in Belgium, the government has chosen to strengthen sanctions. The reform should establish a structured and balanced framework for support social inspectors in their controls and deter offenders.
By modernising legislation, Belgium wants to protect the fairness of its Social Security system, optimize the recovery of amounts unduly received, but also strengthen public confidence.
The main change brought about by the preliminary draft law concerns the establishment of a minimum fine in case of an aggravating factor.
Thus, when a violation of social legislation is committed with aggravating circumstances, the judge can no longer impose a penalty below a certain threshold.
This could include:
In this case, the fine cannot not be less than 50% of the maximum amount provided for in the Criminal Code (whether it is an administrative or criminal fine).
The second measure of the preliminary draft concernsincrease in existing criminal and administrative fines. Its objective? Maintain the deterrent effect of sanctions in the face of inflation and the evolution of social fraud practices.
Les amounts fines per level (level 1 to level 4) are Surveys, and the decimals Additional increases go from 70 to 90.
In summary: offenses, even those considered to be less serious, will now have a more significant financial impact for offenders.
The aim of increasing fines is not only to punish, but above all to encourage culture of prevention and control within businesses and social organizations.
The preliminary draft has been sent to the Council of State for opinion, but has not yet been published. This means that it has not yet come into force.
The new sanctions provided for in the preliminary draft law on social fraud in Belgium will only be applicableonce the text is officially published in the Belgian Official Journal, after the expiry of the legal period of ten days.
As a result, only infringements committed after the official date of entry into force of the new provisions will be awarded minimum fines and revised amounts.
By staying informed and adapting your procedures now, you can not only anticipate risks, but also strengthen the compliance and reliability of your social operations.
Every business must now be able to identify, document, and prevent risky behavior, as a voluntary breach or omission can result in significant minimum fines or higher penalties.
In concrete terms, this means strengthen internal procedures, secure the Dimona declarations, check the allocation of social benefits and Raise awareness among teams at the risk of fraud.
Finovox precisely allows Belgian companies to limit risks of documentary fraud and to secure their processes in strict compliance with the legal framework. An approach that combines compliance, prevention and operational performance so that your activities remain safe from the financial and reputational impacts of social fraud in Belgium.
