This all changes on February 1 | inland

The NMBS will increase its rates from February. On average, this is an increase of about 9 percent. The increase is necessary to partly reduce the increased operating costs, such as energy prices and inflation.

School and commuter subscriptions will become 9.73 percent more expensive. The price of other products will increase by 8.73 percent. For example, a ‘Senior Ticket’ for people over 65 will soon cost 7.80 euros (+0.60 euros) and a ‘Youth Ticket’ up to the age of 26 will cost 7.10 euros (+0.50 euros). A regular ten-ride card (‘Standard Multi’) will be 9 euros more expensive, up to 93 euros digitally or 96 euros on paper. The on-board fare, the surcharge for those who buy a ticket on the train, will also increase from 7 euros to 9 euros. In addition, the Diabolo surcharge for journeys to and from Brussels Airport will increase. From 1 February, this will be 6.40 euros, instead of 6.20 euros.

The Brussels public transport company MIVB will also make adjustments from February. They take into account the changed commuting behavior since the corona pandemic. A traditional subscription is no longer advantageous for those who only have to go to the office two to three days a week. That employee can now use a new flexible ticket of 75 journeys that is valid for 90 days.

The possibilities for time credit will be limited from 1 February. Applying for full-time time credit is only possible for children up to the age of 5, half-time or a fifth time credit is also possible for children between 5 and 8 years old. The total number of months in which you can request time credit for children also increases from 51 to 48.

The seniority conditions are also being tightened. Until now, employees had to have at least 24 months of seniority in a company to take time credit with the motive “care for a child”, from 1 February this will be at least 36 months. There will also be an employment condition of 12 months for full-time time credit. Those who work part-time are granted access after 24 months of employment.

The conditions for parental leave – a maximum of four months per child – will not change, but seniority allowances and supplements will disappear for employees over the age of 50. The same applies to career breaks.

Those who mainly heat with pellets and who meet the conditions for the pellet check worth 250 euros can submit an application from 1 February on the website of the FPS Economy. There will also be a web application.

Those who were already able to use the fuel oil check, the check for propane in bulk or the federal premium for the basic gas package are not eligible. Even those who already enjoy the social rate for gas have no chance. Another condition is that the pellets must have been delivered in a tanker or on pallets, in an order of at least 500 kilograms, between June 1 last year and March 31 this year.

Whoever requests the check will have to provide a copy of the invoice and proof of payment. Applications can be made until April 30.

Tip: HLN Shop now offers pellets that have all certificates and are competitively priced. These pellets are delivered to your home after a personal appointment.

The expensive drug Kaftrio, for the treatment of cystic fibrosis, will also be fully reimbursed for children aged 6 to 11 from 1 February. Since September 1, it is already reimbursed for eligible children from 12 years old. Reimbursement does depend on a number of medical criteria.

Kaftrio improves lung function, reduces the number of flare-ups, reduces the need for antibiotics and gives cystic fibrosis patients a better quality of life.

It has also been agreed to reimburse monotherapy Kalydeco for patients from 4 months. This medicine restores the salt-water balance in the airways, thinning the mucus and better protecting the lungs. This therapy is already reimbursed from 2 years.