To promote the reintegration of vulnerable employees, the Government of Flanders created the return to work premium. Employers who enable progressive work resumption between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2025 for an employee who was incapacitated for work for at least one year can apply for a return to work bonus of up to 1,000 euros.
 

When a long-term incapacitated or sick employee gradually resumes work, we refer to this as progressive work resumption. This could take the form of part-time employment or performing other (lighter) work, for example.

For employees who have been incapacitated for work for at least one year and progressively resume work for at least three months, a one-off premium can be requested. The temporary measure also applies retroactively: premiums can be claimed for progressive employment between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2025.

As an employer, you have to make your own application to obtain a return to work premium. This can be done no sooner than three months after the start of the progressive work resumption. An application can be submitted no later than within the two years following the third month. The premium itself is paid by the health insurance fund to which the employee is affiliated.

Note that the premium does not apply if it is an extension of a progressive work resumption that arose before 1 April 2023.