Chain-Liability Rules Kick In: Flanders Opens Online Desk for Reporting Illegal Employment of Third-Country Nationals

From 1 January 2026 companies active in Flanders’ high-risk sectors—construction, cleaning, meat processing and parcel delivery—face tough new ‘chain-liability’ obligations to root out illegal employment. Under the decree, contractors and subcontractors must verify that every link in the labour chain holds valid work authorisations for non-EU workers and must alert inspectors when documents are missing or clearly forged.

On 6 January the Flemish Social Inspectorate launched the promised digital reporting desk, giving employers a one-stop tool to file alerts and prove due diligence. Firms with a Belgian Crossroads Bank (CBE) number can log in via the National Social Security Office (NSSO); foreign companies without a CBE must request a PDF form by email. Failure to report irregularities can expose the entire supply chain to fines of up to €48,000 per worker and, in severe cases, trigger permit bans that jeopardise future projects.



Global-mobility leaders should review onboarding checklists immediately. Experts recommend adding an automated reminder to collect and archive A-type residence cards or Single-Permit approvals for every external worker, plus a quarterly audit of subcontractor compliance certificates. Companies relying on external mobility providers should note that, for now, third-party agents cannot submit reports via the online desk.

The rules amplify Belgium’s broader shift towards selective labour migration. Alongside the digital Single-Permit portal, they aim to weed out exploitation while fast-tracking bona-fide skills shortages. Multinationals operating construction or logistics hubs in Antwerp and Ghent should prepare for unannounced site inspections focusing on worker registers and housing conditions.

Flanders plans a six-month ‘tolerance period’ for minor first-time errors, but serious breaches—such as repeated employment of undocumented workers—will face immediate sanctions. HR and procurement teams should therefore map their subcontractor networks and integrate chain-liability checks into vendor onboarding before the grace period expires on 30 June.