Factsheet for measure
BE-2020-16/458
–
Updated
– measures in Belgium
Replacement income for self-employed (bridging right)
Vervangingsinkomen voor zelfstandigen (overbruggingsrecht)
Background information
In certain situations self-employed people can qualify for the temporary COVID-19 bridging right:
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If the federal government has obliged self-employed people to interrupt the activity in whole or in part then they are immediately eligible for the bridging right. There is no minimum duration of interruption required. This concerns self-employed people who are obliged to close their business (such as restaurants, cafés and non-food businesses). Restaurants providing or delivering takeaway meals are also covered.
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If the government has not obliged self-employed people to interrupt their activity partially or completely, but they are forced to interrupt their activity for a period of at least seven consecutive calendar days as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, then they are also eligible for the bridging right.
This includes self-employed people in a care profession such as physiotherapists, dentists and medical specialists.
Content of measure
Certain conditions apply in order for someone to be eligible to benefit from the bridging right:
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The person has to be self-employed as main profession (including helpers, assisting spouses in the maxi-status and (primo-starters), or self-employed as secondary profession with provisional social security contributions that are at least equal to the minimum contributions for self-employed persons in their main profession;
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The person has to be self-employed and pay social security contributions in Belgium;
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The person must not receive a replacement income.
The COVID-19 bridging right amounts to (for March, April, May and June):
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€1,291.69 for people without family responsibilities;
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€1,614.10 for people with family responsibilities.
If granted, the bridging right for March will be paid at the beginning of April and the bridging right for April will be paid at the beginning of May.
Updates
The following updates to this measure have been made after it came into effect.
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19 September 2022
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As is the case with temporary unemployment, the measure will be extended once again for self-employed in hardship due to increasing energy prices. Self-employed in those situations are able to continue to make use of the system.
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17 May 2022
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The federal government has decided to introduce a temporary crisis measure for self-employed people affected by the Ukrainian conflict. This new measure is applicable for the months of April, May and June 2022.
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03 January 2022
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The federal cabinet approved on 10 December a package of economic support measures. With regards to the bridging right, several things have been adjusted/adapted:
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'Bridging right in case of forced interruption' can be applied as of December 2021 by self-employed persons who have to interrupt their activities completely. It can also be applied in the first quarter of 2022.
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The 'Turnover Reduction Bridging Right' can be applied as of December 2021 for those who were confronted with a turnover reduction of 40%.
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Also the 'Bridging right in case of quarantine or care for a child' can still be applied for.
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29 September 2021
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Because the pivot index in Belgium was exceeded in August of 2021 the benefits related to the bridging right were also increased automatically starting 1 September 2021. In addition the Federal government has announced it will maintain the measure until the end of 2021 for self employed with a turnover decrease of 65% or those that are in quarantine or are caring for a child.
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18 May 2021
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All sectors that can resume their activities as from 9 June are entitled to the double bridging right for the month of June. In concrete terms, the following sectors qualify: cinemas, bowling alleys, fitness centres, unattended tanning beds, natural parks (indoors), amusement parks (indoors), indoor playgrounds, casinos, betting offices, all companies offering indoor recreation as well as horeca. Home services are also eligible.
The double bridging right will be extended until 30 September for the sectors that are still closed.
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04 January 2021
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As the crisis continues further into 2021, the government has implemented some adaptions as well as an extension of the bridging right until at least March of 2021.
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In January 2021, a 'Double corona bridging right' can be obtained for self-employed workers from sectors subject to the corona closure measures of the government. Even if the self employed activity is mainly dependent on such self employed activity that has been obliged to close down, one can also claim this benefit if the activity is completely interrupted.
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Self-employed persons who during the months January, February and March 2021 are confronted with a considerable drop in turnover as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, can be entitled to a benefit within the framework of the new 'Bridging law turnover drop', regardless of the sector in which you are active. In the calendar month prior to the calendar month for which the payment is requested, there must be a decrease in turnover of at least 40% compared to the same calendar month during the reference year 2019.
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In February and March 2021, self-employed persons can invoke the 'Corona bridging right' if they are still directly affected by the closure measures imposed by the government. They do not qualify if they continue part of their activities. The aid amounts vary according to the period of complete interruption (fewer or at least 15 consecutive calendar days per calendar month) and whether one makes use of a full or half benefit.
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During the months of January, February and March 2021, it is also possible in certain situations for self-employed persons to obtain the 'Bridging right in the event of quarantine or care for a child'.
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06 August 2020
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The measure has been extended (for those companies that are deemed eligible) until the 31st of December 2020, mainly companies that are related in one way or another to the events sector.
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25 June 2020
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The federal government decided to extend the crisis bridging right for the months of July and August for self-employed workers who had to stop their activity for at least seven consecutive days because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The government may extend this measure until the end of December 2020 if it is deemed necessary. In addition, a separate bridging right will be provided to support the self-employed during their restart. This 'Relance payment' (restart bridging right) will be as high as the crisis bridging right. The Relance payment is currently still in the development stage.
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Use of measure
It is unclear how many people are eligible and will make use of the support.
Target groups
Actors and funding
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Actors
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Funding
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National government
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National funds
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Social partners
Social partners' role in
designing the measure
and form of involvement:
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Trade unions
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Employers' organisations
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Role
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Informed
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Informed
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Form
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Not applicable
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Not applicable
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Social partners' role in the
implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
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Unknown
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Main level of involvement: Unknown
Involvement
It is to be expected that the social partners were at least informed about the measure.
Views and reactions
There have been some issues with the bridging right with retailers that are open for business but have been required to work on an appointment basis. Some retailers have seen a significant reduction in clients due to the fact that appointments were necessary.
Because these retailers are open for business, they are not eligible to make use of the bridging right despite earning very little income via sales or provision of services. This puts them in a precarious situation. Employers' associations like UNIZO and UCM are proponents of a system whereby businesses in these situations are eligible for support via the bridging right if they are confronted with a loss in revenue of 70% and more.
The Neutral Syndicate for Self-Employed reacted to the support measures. They deem the proposed measures (including the extension of the bridging right) to be insufficient and temporary.
Sources
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25 March 2020: 1819 Brussels
(1819.brussels)
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25 June 2020: Overbruggingsrecht voor zelfstandigen (coronavirus
(www.vlaio.be)
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06 August 2020: Verdere verlenging van 2 tijdelijke crisismaatregelen overbruggingsrecht
(www.groups.be)
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04 January 2021: VLAIO.be
(www.vlaio.be)
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23 March 2021: Law of March 23rd 2020
(www.ejustice.just.fgov.be)
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06 April 2021: UNIZO press release
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18 May 2021: Vlaio: Overbruggingsrecht voor zelfstandige
(www.vlaio.be)
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17 May 2022: Conflict Rusland-Oekraïne: crisis-overbruggingsrecht voor zelfstandigen in moeilijkheden
(www.liantis.be)
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16 September 2022: Federale regering bereikt akkoord energiesteun: bijna 400 euro voor gas en elektriciteit en tijdelijke werkloosheid voor bedrijven
(www.vrt.be)
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16 September 2022: Kernkabinet akkoord over energiepakket (+ reactie NSZ)
(www.nsz.be)
