As Belgium ushers in September 2024, residents are greeted with a fresh wave of policy changes, marking the beginning of the school year and an adjustment to transport and consumer services.
The month brings with it a blend of increased costs, renewed disciplinary guidelines in education, and the phasing out of certain benefits.
From new public transport tariffs to revamped school regulations, these developments will have far-reaching impacts on daily life across the country.
Transport and Mobility: Price Hikes and Regulation Changes
September signals not just the return of schoolchildren to classrooms but also an increase in the cost of getting there.
The Brussels public transport operator STIB is rolling out new ticket prices from September 1, 2024. While tickets purchased before this date remain valid, new ones will come at a higher price.
For commuters using contactless payment, the price of a single ride has gone up by €0.10 to €2.20. Those still relying on paper tickets will pay €2.70 for a one-way journey. Daily users will also feel the pinch, with the cost of a day ticket rising to €8, up by €0.50.
This increase is mirrored in the contactless payment system, which now caps daily fares at the same rate. The specialized “Airport2City” ride, connecting Brussels to the airport, now costs €7.50, with paper tickets slightly more expensive at €8.
The Brupass system, which offers joint access to STIB, SNCB trains, and the De Lijn and TEC services in Brussels, has not been spared from the increases.
A single Brupass ride now costs €2.60, up by €0.20, while the ten-ride Brupass ticket has risen from €16.80 to €18.
Those needing broader access with a Brupass XL, which covers both the Brussels Zone and 18 surrounding stations, will now pay €3.50 per ride and €24.50 for ten rides, up from €22.40.
Season ticket holders are also facing steeper prices. A monthly season ticket now costs €52, up from €49, while an annual pass has increased to €520 from €499.
Despite the hikes, preferential fares for young residents and schoolchildren remain untouched, with their annual passes still priced at €12, allowing families some relief amid the broader cost increases.
The hike in public transport fares is paired with the reintroduction of fines for those who delay their car inspections. From September 1, any car owner who is even a few days late for their vehicle’s mandatory inspection will face a €9.80 fine.
This comes after the temporary suspension of the fine last June, introduced to account for long waiting times at inspection centers. With those delays largely resolved, the fine is back in force, and car owners who are six months overdue could see penalties as high as €35.
Another change on the horizon for travelers across the European Union is the reintroduction of strict security measures for liquids and gels in hand luggage at airports.
Although some airports had relaxed these rules due to the deployment of advanced CT scanners, recent concerns over their reliability have put the new technology on hold.
This means that all EU airports, including those in Belgium, will revert to the old rules: passengers can only carry liquids in containers of up to 100 milliliters, packed together in a single transparent bag with a maximum volume of one liter.
For those investing in a more sustainable future, September 1 also marks the end of the tax rebate for individuals who installed electric vehicle charging stations at home.
This incentive, introduced in 2021 as part of the federal government’s push to promote greener vehicles, has been gradually reduced over the past few years.
Initially offering a 45% rebate in 2022, the incentive was reduced to 30% last year and to 15% until the end of August 2024.
With the rebate now fully phased out, electric vehicle owners will no longer receive financial support for installing home charging stations, marking a shift in the government’s strategy to promote sustainable transport.
Changes to the Flemish public transport operator De Lijn’s offerings will also take effect from September 1. After a series of adjustments during the summer holidays, De Lijn is modifying its services in several provinces, except Limburg.
These changes include reductions or alterations to school runs and general services in West Flanders, Flemish Brabant, and Antwerp. However, the operator has assured the public that popular lines and crucial school routes will remain largely unaffected by the adjustments.
Education: New School Year Brings Reform
As the new school year begins, students and educators alike are preparing for significant changes in Belgium’s education sector. These changes are area-specific, reflecting the country’s split education system across its linguistic communities.
In French-speaking schools, pupils returned to their classrooms on August 26, with the new rules already in effect.
Meanwhile, in Dutch-speaking regions, classes will resume on September 2, bringing with them a wave of reforms designed to address some of the long-standing challenges within the education system.
A major shift comes in the form of new regulations on disciplining students. Previously, there was no formal framework governing the use of freedom-restricting disciplinary measures, such as isolation and physical restraint.
Starting this school year, teachers are now only permitted to use these tactics in cases where a pupil poses a threat to other students or staff.
Any incidents involving such measures must be documented and discussed with parents, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Schools with isolation rooms will also need to adhere to stricter safety requirements, ensuring that these spaces are secure and that a staff member is always contactable.
In Dutch-speaking vocational schools (BSO), another important reform is taking place. Students in BSO schools, which are heavily practice-oriented and designed to prepare students for specific careers, will no longer be automatically promoted to the third year at the age of 15.
Instead, they will now need the approval of the class council to move forward, ensuring that students meet the necessary academic and practical standards before advancing.
The new school year also brings more support for young mothers in secondary education. Previously, only minors who became mothers while still in school were eligible for the lowest childcare rate.
Starting this month, this benefit has been extended to all mothers who have not completed secondary education by the age of 18. This change is part of a broader effort to reduce school dropout rates and support young mothers in completing their education.
For educators, new rules have also been introduced to address the country’s ongoing teacher shortage.
Starting this month, Flemish schools can temporarily appoint prospective staff members who hold non-Belgian degrees, even if their qualifications have not yet been formally recognized.
However, these individuals must have already submitted their degrees for evaluation by NARIC-Vlaanderen, the body responsible for assessing foreign diplomas.
Until their qualifications are recognized, these staff members will receive a salary based on the lowest pay scale for their position.
If their diploma is ultimately recognized, their contracts will be upgraded to full-fledged appointments, with their salaries adjusted accordingly. If the diploma is not recognized, the temporary appointment will be terminated.
In addition, the Flemish government has expanded the list of recognized diplomas required for certain positions in the education sector.
This move is intended to make the teaching profession more accessible to individuals with diverse educational backgrounds, while still ensuring that they meet the necessary standards of competence.
Other Changes: Stricter Gambling Rules and New Care Home Standards
Beyond education and transport, several other policy changes will come into effect across Belgium in September.
One of the most notable is a significant tightening of the country’s gambling regulations. As of September 1, the minimum age for participation in gambling activities has been raised to 21 years.
This applies to all gambling activities except National Lottery games and scratch cards, which retain a minimum age requirement of 18. However, even in the case of National Lottery games, betting games will now be restricted to those aged 21 and above.
Additionally, a comprehensive ban on gambling advertising will be more firmly enshrined in law. Previously, gambling advertising was prohibited only in certain circumstances, as outlined in royal decrees.
From this month forward, all gambling advertisements will be banned outright, with any exceptions requiring approval through a royal decree.
The new rules also prohibit the distribution of “bonuses” or other incentives designed to encourage people to gamble or to resume gambling after a break.
In Brussels, new standards for care homes are set to take effect on September 1. These standards aim to improve the quality of life for elderly residents by fostering a greater connection between care homes and their surrounding neighborhoods.
The new regulations will require care homes to open their doors to the local community and vice versa, encouraging greater interaction between residents and their neighbors.
To achieve this goal, care homes will be required to develop action plans that promote community engagement and improve the quality of care provided to residents.
This will involve additional staff training and new obligations related to equipment and infrastructure.
The new standards are part of a broader effort to harmonize care home accreditation processes across the Brussels region and to ensure that all care homes meet the same high standards of care.
Impacts on Daily Life: Balancing New Costs and Benefits
As these new rules and regulations come into effect, they are likely to have a significant impact on daily life for many Belgians.
The changes to public transport fares, for example, will affect both commuters and occasional travelers, potentially making it more expensive to get around the capital.
Similarly, the end of the tax rebate for electric vehicle charging stations could slow the growth of Belgium’s electric vehicle market, particularly among those who were previously incentivized by the rebate to install home charging infrastructure.
On the other hand, the new education reforms are likely to be welcomed by both parents and educators, as they aim to create a safer and more supportive environment for students. The changes to disciplinary measures
