Why the employer must pay for the train season ticket
Under collective agreement no. 19/9 of the National Labour Council, amended by collective agreement no. 19/11 since 1 June 2024, the employer pays a fixed contribution to the rail pass per distance. The council publishes the amounts every year. The contribution is mandatory whatever the distance, but does not cover the full price. A contribution is also mandatory for tram, bus and metro.
Exceptions
A sector agreement with at least equivalent benefits takes precedence and can impose more. If you conclude a third-party payer arrangement with SNCB, you pay at least 71.8% of the season ticket; at 80%, a second-class season ticket becomes free for the employee.
What is the risk?
Not reimbursing transport costs that are due, or reimbursing them late, is a level 3 offence under Article 165 of the Social Criminal Code: an administrative fine of € 1,000 to € 10,000, per employee concerned.
What to do
Have every rail commuter fill in a signed declaration and pay the contribution from the National Labour Council table or your sector agreement every month, on presentation of the ticket. A third-party payer arrangement with SNCB is an alternative.
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Sources
Every amount and deadline on this page was checked against these official sources, last consulted on .