A thriving economy
through
concrete initiatives

Doing business, working and living in two different countries requires flexibility and compatibility across many business activities, both for employees and for companies.

The Benelux aims to continue its transformation into a dynamic economic region that removes cross-border barriers and continues to boost employment across borders. In this context, the Benelux Union supports the many cross-border workers and companies on its territory with cross-border economic activities.

Working across borders with legal certainty on tax and social security

Cross-border workers living in a different country from where they work are sometimes left in the dark as to which social security and tax arrangements apply to them. If you’re familiar with this situation, the Benelux Union offers support in the form of useful information in a digital format and on the Benelux Starting Point for Cross-border Workers portal. Cross-border workers can use this portal to find detailed information about their specific situation.

Preventing tax and social fraud through close cooperation

Tax fraud: the abolition of borders within the European Union and the huge rise in online trade now make it possible to make a purchase anywhere and anytime of your choosing. That said, this development is not all positive, as it comes hand-in-hand with new forms of wrongdoing in the field of tax fraud. The three Benelux countries have been actively cooperating for twenty years to prevent fraudulent schemes such as VAT carousel fraud.

Social fraud: social fraud poses a serious risk to society because it creates unfair competition for businesses that do stick to the rules and leads to social decline. Examples of social fraud include the fraudulent use of temporary employment agencies, wrongful receipt of benefits or non-compliance with regulations on the employment of foreign workers. To combat the harmful effects of this phenomenon and to keep up with the rapidly changing methods and techniques employed by fraudsters, the Benelux countries have gradually developed multilateral cooperation based on concrete projects.

Ensuring a more sustainable and secure e-commerce

The Benelux countries are also facing a massive influx of parcels from e-commerce. Safe and sustainable e-commerce is a priority for both the EU and the Benelux countries.

Given the challenges posed by e-commerce, the Benelux Union is establishing coordinated consultations in order to agree on effective measures to combat unfair practices, strengthen controls, improve cooperation between authorities, and more quickly remove non-compliant products from the market. The Benelux countries will also explore how they can act jointly within the framework of new European legislative frameworks.

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