Your Digital Update on Economic Trends and Business Opportunities
The Aachen Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK Aachen) is continuing its successful collaboration with the German-Dutch Chamber of Commerce (DNHK). With the “Quarterly Briefing” you can look forward to a concise, digital format that provides you with information four times a year on current developments, trends, and business opportunities in the Netherlands.
What can you expect?
In a moderated discussion format, a strategic expert on the Dutch market will shed light on current economic issues affecting both countries. These cross-industry insights provide valuable inspiration for all companies seeking to discover or better leverage the economic potential of the Netherlands.
In this 60-minute webinar, Günter Gülker, Managing Director of the German-Dutch Chamber of Commerce, will analyze the following topics for you, among others:
- New industrial policy: What sales markets are emerging from the six key markets for German companies?
- Defense budget: 13.4 billion euros—how do Aachen-based companies benefit from the 50 percent European quota?
- Digital healthcare: What opportunities does the Zorgautoriteit’s guide open up for digital health providers?
- Housing agreement: 100,000 new apartments per year—what demand will this create for construction, building services, and planning?
Your Benefits as a Participant
- Interactivity: You’ll have the opportunity to submit your specific questions in advance of the webinar.
- Information Advantage: You’ll start the third quarter well-informed and well-connected.
- Exclusive dialogue: You’ll be part of a dynamic conversation between the expert and the moderator.
Who should attend this webinar?
- Anyone planning to enter the Dutch market and seeking initial insights.
- Companies looking to expand and deepen their existing business relationships in the Netherlands.
- Anyone interested in getting a quick overview of current economic developments in the neighboring country.
Practical Information at a Glance
When: September 8, 2026
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Format: Online webinar via Microsoft Teams
Language: German
Cost: Participation is free of charge.
A joint offering by the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) of Aachen, Mittlerer Niederrhein, Duisburg-Wesel-Kleve, and North Westphalia, and the German-Dutch Chamber of Commerce.
Registration:
Bureaucratic and legal requirements for employee postings within the European Union often cause difficulties for companies. The regulations and reporting portals differ depending on the destination country. In addition to reporting obligations, aspects of labour, tax and social security law must also be taken into account. At the same time, cross-border service provision is on the rise due to increasing internationalisation.
In a series of webinars, the IHK Aachen is therefore offering companies the opportunity to obtain general information on the topic of posting and the respective posting regulations in Belgium, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands and to talk to experts.
AOK Rheinland/Hamburg will kick off the webinar series with a general introduction to the topic and insurance law issues. This will be followed by individual country webinars that take a closer look at the specific regulations of the destination country.
Following the experts’ presentations, there will be an opportunity to ask questions and engage in dialogue.
You can register for individual or multiple webinars. The dates do not build on each other. For organisational reasons, separate registration is required for each event.
Further information on the content and dates can be found at https://www.ihk.de/aachen/international/entsendung/entsendung-ins-ausland-belgien-frankreich-luxemburg-niederlande-6199608
[UPDATE: THE DEADLINE HAS EXPIRED]
GrenzInfoPunkt Aachen-Eurode is looking for full-time reinforcement for the counselling team as soon as possible.
If you are very familiar with German, Belgian or Dutch social security law as well as European coordination regulations or the respective tax systems and double taxation agreements and ideally also speak one or more of the respective languages, we would like to get to know you!
- Are you interested in interesting and varied tasks in a dynamic team and in an international environment?
- Are you looking for a job with a high degree of creative freedom?
- Would you like a high degree of flexibility, home office options and a very good work-life balance?
We also offer you
- Advanced training for professional and personal development
- Remuneration according to TVöD (VKA)
- Supplementary company pension scheme
- 30 days leave with a 5-day week
The weekly working time is 39 hours.
We look forward to receiving your application!
[UPDATE: THE DEADLINE HAS EXPIRED]
On 14 and 15 December 2023, the GrenzNetz met to discuss and compare the situation of cross-border commuters at various German national borders and to develop possible solutions. This time, the meeting took place in the imperial city of Aachen. In a Christmassy setting, but not without the necessary seriousness, the participants were able to discuss and compare their mostly legal problems.
Germany is a country with many neighbours – and therefore with many different regulations and agreements in the areas of tax and social security. Without the public advice and information centres, a functioning cross-border labour market would hardly be conceivable. This would put the border regions at a massive disadvantage in the national (and international) competition for skilled workers and labour and would therefore have disastrous consequences for the local economy. Citizens and companies that live and work across borders are still regularly confronted with very complex challenges that are not easy to answer – or are simply not clearly regulated.
This is where the advice and information centres for cross-border commuters along the western German borders from Denmark to Switzerland can help. They have joined forces to form the GrenzNetz. This forum meets twice a year and discusses current cases and acute problems. At their meeting in Aachen, current problems included topics such as regulations for working from home or teleworking in neighbouring countries, problems with family insurance caused by mini-jobs and unresolved issues relating to caring for relatives across borders. Areas such as the still problematic recognition of foreign professional and educational qualifications were also discussed in a very topical and nationally relevant manner.
The information and advice centres are also one of the keys to finding solutions: They reflect daily experiences to decision-makers and thus ensure that recurring problems at the cross-border labour market level can be resolved quickly and sustainably.
The fruitful cooperation of this network will be continued and stabilised in the future. The members agree that both cross-border and national communication between the advice centres is essential in order to remove barriers and obstacles to mobility and to bring Europe even closer together at this level.
In addition to the Border InfoPoints Aachen-Eurode (for the Euregio Meuse-Rhine), the Euregio Rhine-Meuse-North and the EUREGIO (Gronau-Enschede), the partners of the Border Network also include the Sønderjylland-Schleswig region, the German-French-Swiss Upper Rhine Conference from the tri-national metropolitan region of the Upper Rhine (represented by the INFOBEST network) and the Border Crossers 2.0 Task Force of the Greater Region, which includes France, Luxembourg, Belgium and Germany.
Many companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, are currently at a disadvantage: they are probably the hardest hit by the shortage of skilled labour. Unlike the big players, they cannot offer countless incentives. Hopeless – or not? Far from it! Numerous businesses are not even aware of the opportunities to position themselves attractively with simple means. And they have not yet ventured into the search for personnel in neighbouring countries. Too complicated, too far away. Really?
In order to ease this situation, to support entrepreneurs in the border region and to give them security, the Grenzarbeit Kerkrade team, together with the GrenzInfoPunkt Aachen-Eurode (GIP) and other partner institutions, organised an entrepreneur’s breakfast at the Eurode Business Center on 21 November. In a relaxed atmosphere, the speakers were able to explain the important and sometimes very complex issues and immediately answer questions from the guests.
After a brief introduction of the business association MKB Limburg and the Charlemagne border region, Denise Leenders (GIP) explained to the guests what to look out for when recruiting staff on the other side of the border. In addition to basic issues such as “How does it work with taxes and social security in a cross-border context?”, more specialised topics such as the current regulations for teleworking were also discussed. With practical examples, the participants quickly realised what is important. Despite the complexity of the topic, the consultant was able to emphasise that information and preparation are the key to a smooth process. In short: if you pay attention to a few things, the whole issue is not that complicated. And the counselling teams at the GrenzInfoPunkte are always available to answer any questions.
Marcus Yilmaz (Grenzarbeit) then gave an insight into cross-border recruiting. What is important to employees on the other side of the border? How do I even look for staff on the other side of the border and what do I need to bear in mind?
Now it is up to the participants to take the next step. They can count on our support!
In recent years, the GrenzInfoPunkts (GIPs, Border Information Points) have intensified their cooperation along the German-Dutch-Belgian border. By joining forces, they can make their information and education work on the highly complex topics of tax and social security in cross-border living and working accessible to a wider audience and ensure the quality of the information.
One of the main funders making this cooperation possible is the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (SZW). On 7 November 2023, a delegation of staff from the ministry came to Maastricht for a working visit. Here, the three GrenzInfoPunkts Aachen-Eurode, Maastricht and Rhine-Maas-North were able to present their work – and that of the entire GIP network – to date and discuss future developments and ideas with the ministry. Hans Dassen, Maastricht municipality and chairman of the GIP steering committee, and Kees Mertens, Social Insurance Bank, were also present to welcome the guests.
During the discussions, it quickly became clear that it will remain essential to analyse and assess the individual situations of companies and border commuters in order to provide all customers with the right information. The tax and social security situation is “so complex that help seekers are often unable to process the huge amount of important information”, as was mentioned several times in the day’s evaluation. Especially during initial telephone conversations with clients, it is often difficult to convey this complexity.
The guests also discovered this in a role-play: “I only have a small question” often leads to a lot of advice in practice. At first, customers don’t even realise what to look out for. It also became clear that the expansion of digital services, which the GIPs are all pursuing, is essential to efficiently handle the ever-increasing number of advice calls and the effort required for information and education work.
After a long day in the halls of Maastricht City Hall, the guests left with a large bundle of information in their luggage, which will help them better appreciate the working methods and, not least, the importance of the GrenzInfoPunkts.
On 14 June 2023, actors from Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, the European Commission and experts from the GrenzInfoPunkt Aachen-Eurode and the Institute for Transnational and Euregional Cross-border Cooperation and Mobility (ITEM) at Maastricht University met at the BENELUX premises in Brussels. Together they discussed the current achievement for cross-border workers in the form of the new framework agreement on telework and whether this agreement was an important step towards solving the problem in the German, Dutch and Belgian situation and beyond.
The transitional period for telework in terms of social security expires on 30 June 2023. (For tax, this has already been the case since July 2023.) From 1 July 2023, therefore, the “old” rules of European Regulation 883/2004 actually apply again, as before the pandemic. A current solution is a framework agreement of the European member states, which may allow for an extension of this social security exemption under certain conditions. The German, Belgian and Dutch governments have already signed the framework agreement.
At the workshop in Brussels, the current situation could now be discussed and debated. The occasion was the 100th B-Solutions case on the topic of telework among cross-border workers, which was initiated by the binational special purpose association Eurode (city of Kerkrade and Herzogenrath) and the GrenzInfoPunkt Aachen-Eurode. The aim was to examine which instruments already exist and could be used to solve the problem of teleworking for cross-border workers, and which other solutions could be pursued and implemented.
The discussion panel was deliberately made up of personalities from the field. The high-calibre ensemble from administration, politics and law was thus able to discuss at a very goal-oriented and realistic level. Because everyone came to the same table, insights from the respective parties reached the right address directly – without any ado.
The results of the workshop are still being compiled and evaluated by the ITEM Institute of Maastricht University.
The speakers were Michel Tilemans, Vice Secretary General of the Benelux Union, Martin Unfried, ITEM, Pim Mertens, ITEM, Ricardo Ferreira, DG REGIO, Martin Guillermo Ramirez, AEBR, Heike Xhonneux, GrenzInfoPunkt Aachen-Eurode, Prof. Dr. Marjon Weerepas, Maastricht University, Albert Raedler, DG TAXUD. Panel guests also included Evelien de Jong, EY, Jos Poukens, ACV, Reijer Janssen, Director of the Dutch Ministry of Finance, Yves Evrard, Chairman of the Finance Commission in the Benelux Parliament, Karl Heinz Lambertz, AEBR and Pascal Arimont, MEP (with video message).
This B-Solutions workshop was organised by GrenzInfoPunkt Aachen-Eurode, ITEM (University of Maastricht) and the Association of European Border Regions (AEBR/AGEG/ARFE), with the support of the Benelux Union, in the framework of a B-Solutions project funded by DG REGIO.
B-Solutions is a DG REGIO funded initiative managed by the Association of European Border Regions and supported by the DG REGIO Border Focal Point. B-Solutions supports the development of an expert base and actions to remove legal and administrative barriers to cross-border cooperation and mobility across the EU. This is in recognition of the key role that border regions play in the European cohesion and integration agenda.
This workshop has been produced with the financial support of the European Union and AEBR. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of Zweckverband Region Aachen – GrenzInfoPunkt Aachen-Eurode and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union or the AEBR.
Solving obstacles to cross-border telework
Close to a breakthrough?
Wednesday 14th June, 2023
Benelux Unie, Rue de la Régence 39, 1000 Bruxelles
Programme
Interpretation avilable in Dutch, German and French
10.15 Registration
10.30 Welcome
Michel Tilemans, Deputy Secretary-General of the Benelux Union & Martin Unfried, ITEM
10.35 Introduction – Innovative b-solutions 2.0: from problem analysis to problem solving
Ricardo Ferreira, DG REGIO & Martin Guillermo Ramirez, AEBR
10.45 B-Solutions case 100: Cross-border telework
Heike Xhonneux, GrenzInfoPunkt Aachen/Eurode: Background – why is it a problem for cross-border workers and employers? Why was the case submitted?
Prof. Dr. Marjon Weerepas: Analysis – ITEM research reveals the obstacles and solutions
11.05 Panel: Social Security – The Big Breakthrough?
(1) What does the Framework Agreement mean in practice for cross-border workers and employers?
(2) The future of the Framework Agreement in relation to Regulation 883/04?
Panel guests: Lode van Steenkiste, RSZ, member of the ad-hoc group on the Framework Agreement // Jan Kielwein, BMAS // Dita Collinsova, DG EMPL // Heike Xhonneux, GrenzInfoPunkt Aachen-Eurode
11.45 Reflection of Karl Heinz Lambertz, President of AEBR
12.15 Lunch Break
13.00 Next item: how to link the tax arrangements to social security?
Panel guests: Prof. Dr. Marjon Weerepas, ITEM // Evelien de Jong, EY // Jos Poukens, ACV // Reijer Janssen, Director Dutch ministry of Finance
13.30 Connecting the initiatives: on which level should taxation be dealt with?
Introduction: Pim Mertens, ITEM: Mapping the existing initiatives
Panel guests: Reijer Janssen, Director Dutch ministry of Finance And chair of Benelux-meeting on taxation // Yves Evrard, chair of the Commission Finance Benelux Parliament // Pascal Arimont, MEP // Karl Heinz Lambertz, AEBR
14.15 Reflection: Albert Raedler, DG TAXUD
14.35 Discussion
15.05 Conclusions
15.30 Networking and Drinks
This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union and AEBR. The contents of this document
are the sole responsibility of Region Aachen Zweckverband – GrenzInfoPunkt Aachen-Eurode and can under no circumstances be
regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union or AEBR.
To join the Zoom conference, please use the following login-data:
Link to join Zoom Meeting: https://benelux-int.zoom.us/j/84188654078?pwd=SWduMkxRSlJnM05WSkNPZ2xFeUFxdz09
Meeting ID: 841 8865 4078
Passcode: 671168
When using interpretation, it is important that participants have the latest version of zoom, this is to avoid technical problems during the meeting.
The first GrenzNetz Conference of 2023 took place in Mönchengladbach on 4 and 5 May 2023. At this legal working group, current problems and obstacles to mobility in cross-border life and work are discussed, compared with current case law, the various experiences and best-practice examples from day-to-day business are exchanged and joint approaches to solutions are developed. The members of the GrenzNetz include specialists from the various advisory institutions for cross-border commuters along the West German borders and other bodies that have made it their task to eliminate obstacles to mobility.
Of course, the topic of home offices in the neighbouring country was also on the agenda. However, this is not the only burning issue that cross-border workers have to deal with. A major focus of the meeting was accident insurance and working in the European Union. Guest speakers Stefanie Klein and Thomas Auer from the German Liaison Office for Accident Insurance – Abroad (DVUA) of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) were present.
The excellent organisation by the GrenzInfoPunkt rhein-maas-nord in Mönchengladbach included an exciting social programme in addition to the specialist topics, in order to bring the participants closer to their own region culturally.
With cross-border workers and companies from a total of seven countries, each of which has its own regulations, it quickly becomes apparent that pan-European solutions are reaching their limits. Here, too, the counselling centres are the key: they mirror the daily experiences to the decision-makers and thus ensure that recurring problems at the level of the cross-border labour market can be solved quickly and sustainably.
The fruitful cooperation of this network will be continued and consolidated in the future. The members agree that both cross-border and national communication among the counselling centres is indispensable in order to eliminate hurdles and obstacles to mobility and to allow Europe to grow even closer together at this level.
In addition to the GrenzInfoPunkt Aachen-Eurode (for the Euregio Meuse-Rhine), the Euregio Rhine-Meuse-North and the EUREGIO (Gronau-Enschede), the partners of the Border Network are the Sønderjylland-Schleswig region, the German-French-Swiss Upper Rhine Conference from the trinational metropolitan region of the Upper Rhine (represented by the INFOBEST network) and the Task Force Cross-border Workers 2.0 of the Greater Region, which includes France, Luxembourg, Belgium and Germany.
Good news for all those who need a little longer:
Cross-border commuters with foreign income still have until 18 October 2023 to file their Belgian tax return for 2022. The condition is that they fill it out online via Tax-on-Web. This service can be used via the Belgian financial portal MyMinFin.
Apart from income from abroad, the separately limited so-called specific income also includes income from self-employment.
Note: The paper version must still be submitted by 30 June 2023.
Online filing of tax returns is possible for everyone in Belgium
According to the Belgian Ministry of Finance, an online tax return is possible for everyone, even if one has received a paper return.
Simplified return proposals can also be viewed and amended online.
Source: https://finance.belgium.be/en/private-individuals/tax-return/return/submitting-your-tax-return#q1