Internal coordination of social security in federal Belgium

Abstract

This article depicts the internal coordination of social security schemes, covered by EU Regulation no. 883/2004 in the federal state of Belgium. Since the first state reform in 1970, Belgium gradually evolved from a unitary into a federal state. Next to the federal level, there are two additional levels, the Communities and the Regions. Family allowances and long-term care insurance are, for instance, within the competence of the Communities. The article outlines the extent of federalism and decentralisation, the adjudication of competence between the federated entities and the financial arrangements between the federal state and the federated entities as well as the financial arrangements between the federated entities.