New measures require business travellers register before entering the country.

The scheme, called Limosa and launched at the beginning of April 2007, demands that business travellers working more than five consecutive days in a month must first register.

The ruling applies to all foreigners including citizens from the European Economic Area (the EU plus Norway and Iceland) and Switzerland. These citizens, unlike some countries, do not need permits or visas to work in Belgium.
Employers failing to register themselves or their colleagues before a visit can be fined or even jailed for up to two years.

The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) has already protested and called on the Belgian authorities to delay the imposition of any penalties until May 15.

It has also called on the Belgian Ministry of Social Security, which is behind the scheme, to take part in a webcast to explain fully details of the programme and answer key questions.

Susan Gurley, ACTE's executive director said Limosa was causing considerable confusion among travel managers in the US and Europe and even in Belgium. "ACTE's global headquarters received a substantial number of calls from travel managers across the United States, attempting to double check the type of employment information being requested from business travellers heading to Belgium for meetings or sales calls," she said.

"We then started receiving similar calls from Europe. Attempts to clarify the situation revealed that some travel management authorities in Belgium were equally unaware of the new requirements."

Limosa is understood to be a measure to try and curb illegal employment in Belgium. Employers sending business travellers to the country must declare the origin of the business and the nature of the individual's work in Belgium as well as certain financial details. Companies which fail to register business travellers face a fine of up to € 6,205 or possible imprisonment.

For more details of Limosa see its website: www.limosa.be