Economy, Safety

Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg sign a Benelux Treaty against social fraud

09 Mar. 2026

Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg today signed a new Benelux treaty aimed at more effectively combating cross‑border social fraud and social dumping. The treaty facilitates joint inspections, accelerates the exchange of social security data and enables closer cooperation for the recovery of unduly paid benefits and contributions. At the same time, worker protection is strengthened by placing specific attention during inspections on safe working conditions, hygiene and decent working conditions.

Signatories
The treaty was signed by:

–Hans Vijlbrief (Netherlands) – Minister of Social Affairs and Employment
–Frank Vandenbroucke (Belgium) – Minister of Social Affairs and Public Health
–Marc Spautz (Luxembourg) – Minister of Labour
–Martine Deprez (Luxembourg) – Minister of Health and Social Security

Frank Vandenbroucke, Belgian Minister of Social Affairs and Public Health:

“We must combat social fraud not only in our own country, but also across Europe. More and more, our continent is confronted with social fraud and social dumping. This Benelux Treaty is therefore extremely important, as it significantly strengthens our ability to address these issues and increases the likelihood of detecting offenders across borders. I am also looking forward to working together with the Dutch and Luxembourgish authorities to strive for a fair Europe with equal competition for businesses. I will continue to insist on additional European measures so that, in the long run, all European workers are better protected against social fraud and everyone who organizes such fraud is dealt with equally firmly everywhere. This too is Europe, and the Benelux is leading the way.”

Rob Beenders, Belgian Minister for the Fight Against Social Fraud:
“Social fraud undermines our welfare state. It is important to take firm action against companies that abuse the social security system. Social fraud does not stop at borders, and neither does our approach. With this Benelux treaty, we go beyond the existing European cooperation and strengthen our joint action, allowing the Benelux to serve as a testing ground for stricter enforcement within the EU and for closer cooperation with the European Labour Authority. I am therefore pleased that we are joining forces with the Netherlands and Luxembourg.”

Martine Deprez, Luxembourg Minister of Health and Social Security:
“Within the Benelux area, where professional mobility is a daily reality, social justice cannot stop at borders. By signing this Treaty, we are equipping ourselves with a concrete tool to combat cross‑border fraud, protect workers, and support companies and employers who comply with the rules. This Treaty is part of the Benelux tradition as a laboratory for integration and strengthens a fairer and more coherent space.”

Marc Spautz, Minister of Labour (LU):
“This Treaty transforms political will into the ability to act, by placing at the heart of its priorities the protection of workers, support for fair‑doing companies, the preservation of our social model, and the maintenance of balance within the internal market. In doing so, we send a clear and unequivocal message: free movement must never be used to circumvent the rules, and competitiveness can in no case be based on weakening social rights.”

Ariadne Petridis, Secretary‑General of the Benelux:
“Our social security system is a precious asset and a pillar of solidarity. This is why we must not only combat abuse, but also invest in prevention by strengthening transparency, information and cooperation between administrations. With this Benelux treaty, we are consolidating our joint action against cross‑border social fraud and social dumping, in order to preserve fairness, protection and trust for all.”

Coordinated controls and inspections
The treaty creates a clear framework for the effective organisation of coordinated controls and inspections:

-Inspection and control services may carry out simultaneous checks concerning the same case.
-Inspectors may participate as observers in inspections conducted in another country.

This prevents companies from evading their cross‑border obligations by operating across borders and enables fraudulent schemes to be detected more quickly.

Posting of workers and working conditions
The treaty strengthens the fight against abuses related to the posting of workers and cross‑border labour:

-Doubts concerning the A1 form (the certificate indicating in which country social security contributions are due) can be assessed more quickly.
-Competent authorities exchange relevant data concerning employment relationships and establishments.

This ensures a firmer approach against fraudulent schemes, letterbox companies and social dumping.

Social benefits
Cooperation is also strengthened in the field of social benefits:

-Institutions can inquire more rapidly about benefits.
-Closer cooperation is established for the recovery of unduly paid contributions or benefits.
-Under certain conditions, Belgium and the Netherlands may question benefit recipients on the territory of the other country, as set out in a separate agreement.

All data exchanges are carried out in accordance with European data protection legislation (GDPR).

Beyond the fight against fraud
The treaty does not limit itself to combating fraud. It also strengthens worker protection through cooperation in inspections concerning:

-Workplace health and safety
-Hygiene and working conditions
-Decent working conditions

This ensures that poor working conditions no longer provide a competitive advantage and that abuses are prevented more effectively.

A regional forerunner within the EU
The treaty is in line with existing European regulations on social security, the posting of workers and worker protection. In this way, the Benelux can serve as a pilot region for strengthened enforcement of the rules within the European Union. The treaty will enter into force once the three countries have ratified it in accordance with their national procedures. Other countries may join at a later stage.

Benelux Treaty against social fraud (French)

Benelux Treaty against social fraud (Dutch)