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Victims of terrorist acts

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Victims of terrorist acts

Born out of the wish for collective solidarity, the victims of terrorist acts and their loved ones can count on different types of financial compensations and gratitude. The Belgian government thus wants to:

  • give the victims the possibility to rebuild their lives;
  • bear part of the many expenses related to the injury.

On this page:

Who qualifies as a victim?

The law recognises three categories:

  • The direct victims (whose injuries were assessed and who were present)
  • The indirect victims (heirs or relative to the 2nd degree)
  • The entitled persons:
    • the surviving spouse (married or legally or de facto cohabiting);
    • the victim's children;
    • the de facto cohabiting partner.

Depending on the category they fall into, the beneficiaries are entitled to:

  • a reparation pension or a beneficiary pension;
  • the reimbursement of medical care due to the terrorist act;
  • the national solidarity scheme.

The Federal Pensions Service:

  • applies the law to awarding the scheme;
  • awards the reparation pension and the beneficiary pension.

The NIHDI, the health insurance funds and the CAAMI-HZIV (War Victims Directorate) support the medical care reimbursements.

Reparation pension for direct victims and their loved ones

The direct victim is at least 10 % disabled. When the direct victim passes away, a pension or benefit is awarded to the entitled persons. The reparation pension is deducted from other compensations, with the exception of an individual insurance.

The assessed degree of disability will be reassessed after five years.

The reparation pension starts on the 1st day of the month in which the events took place. The victim has passed away?

  • If the entitled person files the application within 24 months after the events, the reparation pension will also start on the 1st day of the month in which the events took place.
  • If the entitled person files the application later than 24 months after the events, the reparation pension will start on the 1st day of the month of the application.

Direct victims can also request a reassessment when their injuries grow worse.

The persons entitled to a reparation pension are equated with the civilian war victims and thus are also entitled to various advantages, such as tax exemption on the pension and free public transport.

The reparation pension is paid by the Federal Pensions Service.

Reimbursement of medical care to the victims

Direct victims are entitled to the reimbursement of:

  • psychological aid;
  • medical, paramedical, pharmaceutical and hospitalisation costs;
  • orthopaedic devices;
  • and prostheses rendered necessary by the injury.

Indirect victims are entitled to the reimbursement of:

  • psychological aid;
  • medical, paramedical, pharmaceutical and hospitalisation costs rendered necessary by the injury.

Awarding the national solidarity scheme to the victims of terrorist acts

The scheme is awarded in person to the victims by the Minister or posthumously to the direct victims. This leads to the presentation of a card of national solidarity.

The application

If you are the victim of a terrorist act you may file an application for financial assistance with the Commission for financial assistance to victims of intentional acts of violence - Department terrorism (Commissie voor financiële hulp aan slachtoffers van opzettelijke gewelddaden - Afdeling terrorisme):

Waterloolaan 115
1000 Brussels
Email: terrorvictims@just.fgov.be

More information

The law on the creation of the national solidarity scheme, the awarding of a reparation pension and the reimbursement of medical care in consequence of acts of terrorism was published in the Belgian Official Journal of 4 August 2017.

If you have any further questions regarding this law, the procedures, or if you have specific questions, please contact:

Federal Pensions Service
Indemnity pensions and Industrial accidents Service
Civilian victims of war and terrorism Cell
Tour du Midi
Europaesplanade 1
1060 Brussels

Email: Solidariteitspensioen@sfpd.fgov.be

telephone: 02 529 32 03

Additional information concerning the new national gratitude statute can be found at the Federal Public Service Social Security website https://www.socialsecurity.belgium.be.

Disability pensions and entitled person

Application

Can I file an application for a disability pension?

Yes, if:

  • you are a disabled veteran;
  • you are the person entitled (e.g. the widow) of a recognised disabled veteran;
  • you have been recognised as disabled and your health has deteriorated.

You can file an application if:

  1. you are a Belgian

    You have to be a Belgian on the date on which the decision concerning the pension is made and at the time of the acts of war or you should have applied for your naturalisation before 10 May 1940.

    If you were not a Belgian at the time of the war, you should:

    • have become a Belgian before 1 January 2003;
    • have been 22 years at most on 10 May 1940;
    • have had your regular place of residence in Belgium at the time of the acts of war as defined in article 2 of the law of 15 March 1954.

  2. you are the victim of damages due to acts of war during one of the following conflicts:
    • 1914-1918;
    • 1940-1945;
    • wars of independence in the Congo, Rwanda and Burundi;
    • the Tessenderlo disaster of 29 April 1942 (explosion of a stock of ammonium nitrate in a factory)

  3. you suffered physical damage namely:
    • a physical disability;
    • a worsening of your physical disability;
    • complications and aftereffects of this physical disability.

    The acts of war are enumerated by the law.

  4. your physical damage is related to an act of war

    The connection between your physical damage and the act of war should have been medically and legally established. You cannot be recognised as a disabled veteran if your physical damage is due to events outside of the acts of war.

How do I file my application?

You should send a registered letter:

  • which you yourself have signed;
  • containing evidence of your Belgian nationality;
  • containing your testimony in which you describe what happened to you;
  • containing the detailed medical report which serves as evidence of your disability and of the connection between your physical damage and the act of war.

What will happen once I have filed my application?

  • Your file is compiled and investigated: the State Commissioner checks if your file is admissible, which means if you meet the conditions concerning nationality and place of residence, and checks if all documents are present (pieces of evidence, medical reports);
  • Your file is sent to the Forensic Medicine Service (FMS);
  • You are invited to the Forensic Medicine Service for an investigation. Your invalidity will be evaluated;
  • The Forensic Medicine Service advises on the cause of the physical damage, the connection between the physical damage and the act of war and the degree and duration of the disability;
  • The State Commissioner draws up conclusions, taking the advice of the Forensic Medicine Service into account;
  • You receive the conclusions and an invitation for a session of the Civilian Disabled Committee, during which the conclusions will be elucidated. During this session, you have the possibility to present your own conclusions. You are under no obligation to attend this session;
  • If you disagree with the decision, you can lodge an appeal with the Higher Court Commission up to 60 days after the date on the notification of the decision;
  • Ultimately, you can lodge an appeal with the Council of State;
  • Your file is made payable and you receive a certificate number;
  • Your file is transferred to the CAAMI-HZIV (Agency for health and disability insurance) (War Victims Directorate), which is responsible for the reimbursement of medical care and which offers social and moral support.

Which indemnities will I receive and when?

You will receive the pension on the 1st day of the quarter following the date of your application. The amount differs in relation to the degree of disability.

The pensions are indexed.

Can I receive a pension if I am already receiving another indemnity for another wartime activity?

No, you cannot combine a war disability pension paid by Germany with a pension paid by the Civilian victims of war and terrorism Cell. You will receive the highest pension amount. You will, however, receive free medical care.

Yes, if you receive a Claims Conference indemnity or an annuity provided for by the law of 11 April 2003 (Flahaut indemnity).

How can I file an application if I am the widow(er) of a disabled person?

You can receive a disability pension as the entitled person (dependants' pension) if:

  • your spouse was entitled to a pension for an invalidity of at least 10 % for one year before his passing;
  • you were married for ten years;
  • you did not remarry and were not divorced or legally separated at the request of your spouse.

You should:

  • notify your spouse's passing to the:

    Federal Pensions Service
    Payments Service
    Tour du Midi
    Europaesplanade 1
    1060 Brussels

  • file an application by means of the form "Application for a dependants' pension" with the:

    Federal Pensions Service
    Civilian victims of war and terrorism Cell
    Tour du Midi
    Europaesplanade 1
    1060 Brussels

    Email: Solidariteitspensioen@sfpd.fgov.be

    Telephone: 02 529 32 03

If you are entitled to the pension as entitled person, you will receive a Ministerial Order.

What will I, as the entitled person, receive?

You will receive 44.49% of the pension amount your spouse received one year before his or her passing. The pensions are indexed.

Can I file an application if my health deteriorates?

Yes, if you have a war disability pension and your health has deteriorated. The deterioration of your health should be connected to your 1st pension application. Your application for deterioration will be presented to the Forensic Medicine Service for evaluation. Your pension will be raised if the Forensic Medicine Service determines that your disability has deteriorated by at least 5 %.

How do I file my application?

You should:

  • fill out the form "Application for revision due to deterioration of injuries or physical damage":
  • print and sign the form;
  • attach a medical certificate, describing the deterioration, its consequences or the physical damage you suffer from in detail;
  • send the form to:

    Federal Pensions Service
    Indemnity pensions and Industrial accidents Service
    Civilian victims of war and terrorism Cell
    Tour du Midi
    Europaesplanade 1
    1060 Brussels

Will my pension decrease when my degree of disability decreases?

No. You will retain the degree awarded upon your first application if the deterioration is not recognised.

Civilian disabled statute

Under which conditions can I obtain the civilian disabled statute?

You can be recognised as a civilian disabled of the 1940-1945 war if:

  • you receive a disability pension by virtue of the law of 15 March 1954
  • your application for a disability pension was refused in application of the law of 15 March 1954, either because the degree of disability due to the injury was insufficient, or because the recognised infirmity due to the injury did not lead to disability.
  • you are no longer entitled to a temporary pension because the degree of disability did not attain the required minimum percentage.

The civilian disabled statute is a personal honour and cannot be awarded to the entitled persons of the civilian disabled.

As a recognised civilian disabled, you are entitled to:

  • a "Civilian war victim statute"-card
  • an official decoration (available in the honour shops).
  • free public transport

How do I apply for the war invalid statute?

Please apply in writing to:

Federal Pensions Service
Indemnity pensions and Industrial accidents Service
Civilian victims of war and terrorism Cell
Tour du Midi
Europaesplanade 1
1060 Brussels

Other benefits

A. As a recognised war invalid with a war invalidity of at least 10 %, you are entitled to:

  • free medical and pharmaceutical care during the procedure in which the pension is awarded, as soon as a war invalidity of 10 % emerges from the medical investigation.
  • a contribution from the CAAMI-HZIV (Agency for health and disability insurance) (War Victims Directorate):
    • for the reimbursement of medical, paramedical, and pharmaceutical costs, as well as of prostheses.
    • for moral and material support.
  • free public transport (also for widow(er)s) on the basis of a certificate delivered by the Civilian victims of war and terrorism Cell.

B. As a recognised war invalid with a war invalidity of at least 50 %, you are in addition entitled to:

  • a special parking card: apply for card,
  • exemption from the radio and television licence fee for inhabitants of Wallonia (also for widow(er)s),
  • exemption from the flat-rate regional tax for inhabitants of the Brussels-Capital Region,
  • reduced VAT rate of 6 % for the purchase of vehicle components and appurtenances with the aim of maintenance and repair,
  • VAT exemption for the purchase of a new or secondhand vehicle.

C. Recognised war invalids with a war disability of 60%, persons who were blinded or paralysed, persons whose upper limbs were amputated or whose degree of disability is 50 % in the lower limbs, are, next to the compensations mentioned under A and B, also entitled to:

  • exemption from the road tax,
  • exemption from the vehicle registration tax,
  • a reduced contribution to Touring Wegenhulp and Royal Automobile Club (vehicle assistance) if you are exempted from the road tax.

D. If you have a war invalidity of 60 % due to the anatomical or functional loss of a limb or a war invalidity of 75 % due to an illness or disability, you also are entitled to:

the priority card: application for certificate or duplicate recognised statute

E. Recognised civilian war invalids with a war invalidity of 70 % are, next to the compensations mentioned under A, B, C and D also entitled to:

  • the reduced phone rate,
  • 10 % reduction in the property withholding tax for the house in which one is residing.

F. If you have been recognised as a civilian war invalid with a war invalidity of 100%, you are, next to the compensations mentioned under A, B, C, D and E also entitled to:

  • a full exemption for the MOT test costs.

FAQ - Disability pensions

Can I still apply for a disability pension due to acts of war?

You are a Belgian and your physical integrity was affected in consequence of an act of war?

You can apply for a pension.

The law lists the "acts of war". We can only take the acts of war that are enumerated in this list into account.

The same law states the nationality and residence requirements.

How much is the disability pension?

The amount of the disability pension differs, depending on the degree of disability.

The surviving spouse can receive a so-called 'dependants' pension', which amounts to 44,49 % of the deceased invalid's pension.

How do you file your application?

  • Send a letter of application in which you describe what happened to you and which disability you suffer from,
  • Personally sign your letter,
  • Attach the evidence for your Belgian nationality,
  • Attach a medical report which describes the condition you suffer from in detail, as well as the connection between your disability and the act of war (for example: a hospital report) and which states since when your doctor has been treating you,
  • Send your application to the address below:

    Federal Pensions Service
    Indemnity pensions and Industrial accidents Service
    Civilian victims of war and terrorism Cell
    Tour du Midi
    Europaesplanade 1
    1060 Brussels

Additional information?

Email: Solidariteitspensioen@sfpd.fgov.be


Telephone: 02 529 32 03

To which compensations am I entitled as a civilian war invalid?

If you receive a pension for a disability of at least 10 %, you are entitled to:

How do I obtain the national gratitude statute for civilian war invalids?

You can obtain the national gratitude statute as a civilian disabled of the 1940-1945 war if:

  • you receive a disability pension by virtue of the law of 15 March 1954;
  • or if your application for a disability pension was refused in application of the law of 15 March 1954, either because the degree of disability due to the injury was insufficient, or because the recognised infirmity due to the injury did not lead to disability;
  • or if you are temporarily not receiving a pension anymore because your degree of disability did not attain the required minimum percentage.

The civilian disabled statute is a personal honour and cannot be awarded to the entitled persons.

You can also send your statute application to:

Federal Pensions Service
Indemnity pensions and Industrial accidents Service
Civilian victims of war and terrorism Cell
Tour du Midi
Europaesplanade 1
1060 Brussels

National gratitude statutes

Statutes

Political prisoners

These are the persons who, during the course of the 1940-1945 war, were subject to a regime of detention or internment in prisons or concentration camps, for a duration of at least thirty consecutive days, and this deprivation of liberty was perpetrated by the enemy or persons who served his policies or strived towards his goals. An exception to the condition of this period of thirty consecutive days of deprivation of liberty is made for those who were subject to grievous bodily harm during their captivity or those who were given the death penalty by the enemy and for those who were put to death after their arrest by the enemy or during their detention by the enemy.

The distinction is made between the beneficiaries of the statute and the actual political prisoners who receive the title. The political prisoners who receive the title are those whose deprivation of liberty is the direct consequence of an unselfish patriotic act, or those who were arrested because of their philosophical or political opinion, or those who were chosen as hostages, or those who showed an exceptional spirit of resistance during the course of their detention.

Some relatives (widow(er), possibly the cohabiting partner, underage children, parents, brothers, sisters or grandparents) of political prisoners who did not survive the war, could, under certain stringent conditions, be recognised as the persons entitled of political prisoners.

  • Royal Decree of 16 October 1954 coordinating the legal provisions concerning the statute of the political prisoners and their persons entitled

Foreign political prisoners

Persons who did not have the Belgian nationality at the time of their arrest, can claim the foreign political prisoner statute if they performed unselfish patriotic acts in Belgium and cannot receive the political prisoner statute by virtue of international treaties or their own national legislation.

Since the introduction of the law of 26 January 1999, the members of the Jewish community who resided in Belgium on 10 May 1940 no longer have to prove an unselfish patriotic act to receive the foreign political prisoner statute. If they want to receive the title of political prisoner, however, they do have to prove their patriotic act.

  • Law of 5 February 1947 concerning the foreign political prisoner statute
  • Law of 26 January 1999 establishing new measures in aid of the war victims

Forced labour deportees

The persons who were deported to Germany or to a German-occupied area, with the exception of Belgium and Northern France, and who were subjected to forced labour in execution of a formal or written order or after their arrest by the occupier, qualify for this statute.

  • Law of 7 July 1953 establishing the forced labour deportees statute of the 1940-1945 war and repealing the Decree Act of 24 December 1946

Civilian disobedience practitioners

These are persons who, by going into hiding, escaped the labour the occupier imposed. The inhabitants of the East Cantons who did not obey the summons to join the German army also qualify for this statute.

  • Law of 2 April 1958 modifying, with regard to the civilian disobedience practitioners, the Decree Act of 24 December 1946 establishing the statute of members of the civilian resistance and civilian disobedience practitioners.

Members of the civilian resistance

To qualify for this statute, one should have carried out an activity during the occupation within the framework of the secret battle against the occupier which resulted in real risks for the person who carried it out.

  • Decree Act of 24 December 1946 establishing the statute of members of the civilian resistance and civilian disobedience practitioners.

Underground press resistance members

You can be recognised as an underground press resistance member if you carried out unselfish activities between 1 June 1940 and 4 June 1944 as part of the patriotic resistance against the enemy, either in the field of newspapers, or by means of pamphlets, posters or statements, which rendered you vulnerable to retaliation by the enemy.

  • Law of 1 September 1948 establishing the statute of underground press resistance members.

Members of the resistance against Nazism in the occupied territories

This statute is reserved for persons who, on 31 August 1940, already had their regular place of residence in the East Cantons for five years and who fall within the scope of one of the following national gratitude statutes:

  • political prisoners and their entitled persons
  • armed resistance members
  • intelligence and action officers
  • members of the civilian resistance
  • civilian disobedience practitioners
  • 1940-1945 prisoners of war
  • underground press resistance members
  • forced labour deportees

or

persons who unselfishly took part in the resistance against the enemy for six months by means of actions or by expressing their political or philosophical opinions and as a consequence were arrested, detained, forcibly drafted into the Wehrmacht or deported

or

persons who, out of patriotism, voluntarily left or were removed from the occupied territories between 10 May 1940 and 1 January 1943

or

persons who were forcibly drafted into the Wehrmacht or Reich Labour Service and who deserted before 6 June 1944.

  • Law of 21 November 1974 establishing the statute of member of the resistance against Nazism in the occupied territories.

Forced conscripts in the German army

This concerns people from the East Cantons who were drafted into the German army:

  • as a consequence of their arrest by the enemy
  • or after their appearance before the recruitment agencies (Musterung)
  • or in execution of a personal order, issued in application of the German regulations concerning the recruitment and mobilisation in the German army
  • Law of 21 November 1974 establishing the statute of forced conscript in the German army and his entitled persons.

Fishermen at sea in wartime

This statute recognises the exceptional merit of those who fished at sea during the 1914-1918 war, leaving from British, French or Belgian ports or from British ports during the 1940-1945 war.

  • Royal Decree of 8 February 1984 establishing the national gratitude statute to the benefit of the fishermen at sea who, during the 1914-1918 war, set out from British, French or Belgian ports or from British ports during the 1940-1945 war.

R.C.B.L.-ers (16- to 35-year-old recruits in the Belgian army positioned in Southern France in 1940)

These are the persons who were aged between sixteen and thirty-five years old on 10 May 1940 and who responded to the Belgian government's call to set out for the recruitment agencies of the Belgian army (R.C.B.L. In Dutch or C.R.A.B. in French) in Southern France.

  • Royal Decree of 12 April 1990 establishing the national gratitude statute to the benefit of the men who joined the recruitment agencies of the Belgian army (R.C.B.L.) in 1940.

Jewish children in hiding

This capacity is awarded to every child under the age of 21 on 10 May 1940, or born after this date, that was forced to live in hiding after 1 July 1942 to escape the anti-Jewish measures issued by the occupier.

  • Royal Decree of 19 April 1999 establishing the statute of Jewish children in hiding during World War Two.

Civilian invalid of the 1940-1945 war

This statute is awarded to persons who suffered physical damage as a consequence of the damage to their physical integrity that resulted from an act of war.

  • Royal Decree of 11 October 2006 establishing the national gratitude statute for the civilian disabled of the 1940-1945 war.


Applications

It is still possible to apply for a national gratitude statute on the basis of the Law of 16 January 2006, except in the case of the R.C.B.L.-er-statute and the Jewish child in hiding-statute.

If you have been recognised in a national gratitude statute, you are, depending on the scheme, entitled to:

Lifelong annuities

The awarded lifelong annuity for fishermen at sea, members of the resistance against Nazism, civilian disobedience practitioners or forced labour deportees depends on the period that has been recognised: six months or 180 days. This period is determined by the decision on the awarding of the statute.

Widows may also qualify for an annuity, on the condition that the deceased spouse obtained a statute for a recognised period of at least 270 days. Moreover, their marriage must have lasted at least 10 years and the widow may not have remarried.

Free public transport

In aid of all beneficiaries of the national gratitude statute or their persons entitled on the basis of a certificate issued by the Civilian victims of war and terrorism Cell.

The reimbursement of the non-refundable part of medical expenses through the CAAMI-HZIV (Agency for health and disability insurance) - War Victims Directorate

Competent service:

CAAMI-HZIV (Agency for health and disability insurance)
War victims Directorate
Troonstraat 30 A
1000 Brussels
Telephone: 0800 11 292 (toll-free number)
Every working day from 9.00 h until 12.00 h and from 14.00 h until 16.00 h
Email: info@caami-hziv.fgov.be
www.caami-hziv.fgov.be certificate issued by our cell.

Exemption from German taxes

If you were recognised as a forced labour deportee, forced conscript in the German army, deported Jew, political prisoner or prisoner of war, you can apply for the exemption from taxes in Germany.

To obtain the necessary forms to this end, please contact the statutes division: statuten@sfpd.fgov.be.

Card attesting the recognition in one of the civilian national gratitude statutes

Every statute has its own, specific, recognition card:

Our cell awards the different national gratitude cards and delivers a duplicate in case of loss.

Honours

These honours are not delivered by the government services. They can be purchased in shops selling medals and decorations.

Honorary degrees

To the benefit of:

  • Standard-bearers of patriotic societies
  • Members of the civilian resistance who obtained their recognition because of facts that benefited members of the Jewish community, can obtain an honorary degree as a Righteous person.

Benefits

Below, you will find a summary of the benefits offered by the national gratitude statutes.

In principle, you can obtain these benefits through our service. If other services award certain benefits, their contact details have been added below.

Please note: no financial benefit was offered by statutes awarded in consequence of an application filed on the basis of the Law of 26 January 1999 establishing new measures to the benefit of the war victims.

Persons who were recognised on the basis of this law, can, however, now file a new application in pursuance of the Law of 16 January 2006, and thus obtain the reimbursement of the non-refundable part of medical expenses if said persons meet specific conditions.

Card attesting the recognition in one of the civilian national gratitude statutes

Every statute has its own, specific, recognition card.

Lifelong annuities

The awarded lifelong annuity for fishermen at sea, members of the resistance against Nazism, civilian disobedience practitioners or forced labour deportees depends on the period that has been recognised: at least six months or 180 days. This period is determined by the decision on the awarding of the statute.

Widows may also qualify for an annuity, on the condition that the deceased spouse obtained a statute for a recognised period of at least 270 days. Moreover, their marriage must have lasted at least 10 years and the widow may not have remarried.

NB The Law of 11 April 2003 (Belgian Official Journal of 22 May 2003) has established a higher annuity to the benefit of the deportees or civilian disobedience practitioners for whom a period was recognised of at least one year in one statute, or a combined period in both these statutes.

One does not need to apply for this higher annuity, it is awarded ex officio.

Honours

To the benefit of:

Our cell issues the certificates that grant civilian disobedience practitioners the right to wear the medal.

For the other statutes, the recognition card serves as the certificate. The decorations should be purchased by the holders themselves.

Honorary degrees

To the benefit of:

  • Standard-bearers of patriotic societies
  • Form "Application for a standard-bearer honorary degree"
  • Members of the civilian resistance who obtained their recognition because of facts that benefited members of the Jewish community, can obtain an honorary degree as a Righteous person.

Free public transport

In aid of all beneficiaries of the national gratitude statute or their persons entitled on the basis of a certificate issued by the Civilian victims of war and terrorism Cell.

Priority when renting social housing

To the benefit of political prisoners and their entitled persons

Competent services: the Regional Housing services, on the basis of a certificate delivered by our cell.

Additional benefits to the retirement and survivor's pension

To the benefit of:

Please contact your competent pensions service and provide them with a certificate delivered by our cell.

Obtaining the Belgian nationality

To the benefit of foreigner - political prisoner.

The application form can be obtained from the municipality and should be sent to the civil servant of the Civil Registry of the municipality of residence or to:

the clerk of the Chamber of Representatives
Naturalisation service
Regentlaan 35
1000 Brussels
Telephone 02 549 93 00

If the applicant's main place of residence is abroad, the file is sent to the head of the Belgian embassy or consulate

The reimbursement of the non-refundable part of medical expenses through the CAAMI-HZIV (Agency for health and disability insurance) - War Victims Directorate

Competent service:

CAAMI-HZIV (Agency for health and disability insurance)
War victims Directorate
Troonstraat 30 A
1000 Brussels

Telephone: 0800 11 292 (toll-free number)

Every working day from 9.00 h until 12.00 h and from 14.00 h until 16.00 h

Email: info@caami-hziv.fgov.be

on the basis of the certificate issued by our cell.

FAQ - National gratitude

Can I still apply for a national gratitude statute?

Yes, if you did not apply before or if you only obtained recognition as a mark of honour, on the basis of the law of 26 January 1999, with the exception of R.C.B.L.-ers and Jewish children in hiding.

Please address your application in writing to:

Federal Pensions Service
Indemnity pensions and Industrial accidents Service
Civilian victims of war and terrorism Cell
Tour du Midi
Europaesplanade 1
1060 Brussels

You do not need to attach any documents to this application. We will send you a questionnaire, which you should fill out and return to us with the necessary pieces of evidence attached.

To which benefits am I entitled if I apply and am recognised now?

If you are recognised on the basis of the law of 16 January 2006, you are entitled to:

  • the reimbursement of the non-refundable part of medical expenses through the CAAMI-HZIV (Agency for health and disability insurance) (War Victims Directorate). Your recognised period should at least count 6 months in one or more statutes.
  • free public transport on the basis of a certificate delivered by the Civilian victims of war and terrorism Cell.

Form "Application for certificate or duplicate recognised statute"

Additional information?

Email: Solidariteitspensioen@sfpd.fgov.be

Telephone: 02 529 32 03

I receive a German war victim pension. What should I do to be exempt from German taxes?

To be exempt, you should have one or more national gratitude statutes as a:

  • forced labour deportee
  • forced conscript in the German army
  • Jewish deportee
  • political prisoner

The exemption is granted on the basis of lists of names drawn up by the DG War victims. For the persons not on this list, the proof of their war years can often be found in the archives. We cannot, however, guarantee that this evidence is found.

Additional information?

Email: Solidariteitspensioen@sfpd.fgov.be

Telephone: 02 529 32 03

Victims of racial persecution

Persons entitled and conditions

Am I entitled to an annuity as the victim of racial persecution?

You are entitled to an annuity:

  • if your father and mother were deported from Belgium in consequence of the racial persecution policy of the occupier and passed away during their deportation and if you:
    • were younger than 21 on 10.05.1940;
    • had the Belgian nationality on 01.01.2003;
    • had your place of residence in Belgium on 10.05.1940, unless you were born after this date and your parents were living in Belgium on this date;
    • are not entitled or never were entitled to an orphans' pension pursuant to the codified laws on the indemnity pensions.
  • or if you had to live in hiding due to the racial persecution policy of the occupier and if:
    • you were living in Belgium on 10.05.1940 or were born after 10.05.1940 while your parents were already living in Belgium on 10.05.1940;
    • you had the Belgian nationality on 01.01.2003.

You are entitled to only one annuity.

How much will I receive if I am entitled to an annuity?

The annuity amounts to 477,59 EUR a year (this amount is linked to the evolution of the consumer price index).

I was arrested in Belgium in consequence of the racial persecution policies and was deported for at least 6 months. Am I entitled to an annuity?

Please apply with the:

Federal Pensions Service
Indemnity pensions and Industrial accidents Service
Civilian victims of war and terrorism Cell
Tour du Midi
Europaesplanade 1
1060 Brussels

Email: Solidariteitspensioen@sfpd.fgov.be

Telephone: 02 529 32 03

More information?

Please consult the Law of 11 April 2003 establishing an annuity to the benefit of the racial persecution victims.

Application

Please apply for your annuity with the Civilian victims of war and terrorism Cell.

Form "Application for the orphan's annuity due to deceased father and mother during deportation or for the annuity due to hiding in consequence of the racial persecution policies"

Please attach the following documents to your application:

  • all necessary pieces of evidence, e.g. documents attesting that you had to live in hiding, Civil Registry certificates attesting the relation to the deceased parent, etc.
  • for persons living abroad, a nationality certificate attesting that you have the Belgian nationality at least since 01.01.2003 and a certificate of good character that is at most three months old.

You should take recourse to all legal remedies to prove that you meet the required conditions.

A posthumous application is not admissible. The applicant's passing cancels the procedure.

Benefits

On top of the annuity, you are also entitled to:

FAQ - Racial persecution victims

To which benefits am I entitled if my parents passed away in consequence of the racial deportations and/or if I went into hiding during the war in order to escape racial persecution?

You can receive a personal annuity if:

  • your father and mother were deported from Belgium in consequence of the racial persecution policy of the occupier and passed away during their deportation;
  • you were forced to live in hiding to escape the racial persecution policy of the occupier.

Please fill out and personally sign the form "Application for the orphan's annuity due to deceased father and mother during deportation or for the annuity due to hiding in consequence of the racial persecution policies", attach all pieces of evidence (documents concerning your parents' deportation, their passing during the deportation, your life in hiding) and send these documents to:

Federal Pensions Service
Indemnity pensions and Industrial accidents Service
Civilian victims of war and terrorism Cell
Tour du Midi
Europaesplanade 1
1060 Brussels

Email: Solidariteitspensioen@sfpd.fgov.be

Telephone: 02 529 32 03

To which benefits am I entitled if I receive an annuity as an orphan or person in hiding?

You are entitled to the following benefits:

Additional information:

Federal Pensions Service
Indemnity pensions and Industrial accidents Service
Civilian victims of war and terrorism Cell
Tour du Midi
Europaesplanade 1
1060 Brussels

Email: Solidariteitspensioen@sfpd.fgov.be

Telephone: 02 529 32 03

Medical care and reimbursement of the non-refundable part of medical expenses

Introduction

Some categories of civilian war victims are entitled to either the reimbursement of the non-refundable part of medical expenses or to free medical care.

This applies to the following persons:

  • the beneficiaries of a national gratitude statute, whose recognised period counts at least 6 months or orphans who have been recognised as the person entitled of a political prisoner.
  • the beneficiaries of a disability pension

The reimbursement of the non-refundable part of medical expenses is the exclusive competence of the CAAMI-HZIV (Agency for health and disability insurance) - War Victims Directorate.

The free medical care is awarded

  • either by the CAAMI-HZIV (Agency for health and disability insurance), on the basis of documents (such as decisions, certificates) that have been delivered by the Civilian victims of war and terrorism Cell.
  • or by the Civilian victims of war and terrorism Cell itself (during the procedure for the disability pension application).

Application

Reimbursement of the non-refundable part of medical expenses

As the beneficiary of a national gratitude statute, you can apply for the reimbursement of the non-refundable part of medical expenses if you:

  • have obtained a recognised period of at least 6 months in one or more national gratitude statutes;
  • receive an annuity in pursuance of the law of 11 April 2003;
  • as the child of a political prisoner, have been recognised as the person entitled of a beneficiary of the political prisoner statute.

To obtain the reimbursement of the non-refundable part of medical expenses, you should file an application with the CAAMI-HZIV, attaching the following documents:

  • a health insurance fund identification sticker;
  • a photocopy of the identity card;
  • a certificate of national gratitude, to be obtained from the Civilian victims of war and terrorism Cell.

Completely free medical care

When you, as a war victim, file an application for a disability pension, the Civilian victims of war and terrorism Cell will provide you with a temporary medical booklet (yellow booklet) as soon as the medical investigation by the Forensic Medicine Service has determined a degree of disability of at least 10 % that can be linked to an act of war. Most of the new applications are made by children who went into hiding and who already receive the reimbursement of the non-refundable part of medical expenses and therefore do not need the yellow booklet.

By means of this temporary booklet, the medical care can be reimbursed, but only for afflictions that can be linked to an act of war.

As soon as a definitive decision has been reached about the disability pension, please contact the CAAMI-HZIV (Agency for health and disability insurance) - War Victims Directorate. This institution will provide you with white identification stickers which you should affix to your medical documents. In this way, all medical care will be provided free of charge (even for afflictions that cannot be linked to an act of war).

The cell "Civilian victims of war and terrorism"

On 1 January 2018, the Federal Pensions Service took the staff and assignments of the former Directorate General War Victims under its wing. Henceforth, the cell is called "Civilian victims of war and terrorism" and falls within the competence of the service 'Indemnity pensions'. As of now, this cell operates from the Tour du Midi, the central seat of the Federal Pensions Service.

Our assignments

The cell Civilian victims of war and terrorism is engaged in the following assignments:

  • examination and implementation of entitlements regarding:
    • the national gratitude statutes, pensions and interests for civilian victims of war and their persons entitled; pensions for the victims of the events in the Congo and their persons entitled;
    • the national solidarity scheme;
    • the reparation pensions for victims of terrorist acts.
  • setting out, preparing and supporting the policies;
  • developing the legislation and regulations;
  • publishing recommendations.

The assignment to manage the archive lists and documentation, previously carried out by the Directorate General War Victims, was not transferred the Pensions Service but to the State Archives (SA). Information concerning this assignment will therefore not be available on this website, but on the website of the SA.

Our contact details

You can contact us at:

Federal Pensions Service
Indemnity pensions and Industrial accidents Service
Civilian victims of war and terrorism Cell
Tour du Midi
Europaesplanade 1
1060 Brussels

Email: Solidariteitspensioen@sfpd.fgov.be

Telephone: 02 529 32 03

Useful links

Your entitlements

Historical research

In Belgium

Abroad

Social Security in Belgium

Miscellaneous

Legislation

Legislation on disability pensions and entitled persons

  • Unofficial coordination of the laws concerning the reparation pensions for civilian victims of the 1940-1945 war
  • Law of 16 June 1998 amending the war pensions procedure
  • Royal Decree of 11 October 2006 establishing the national gratitude statute for the civilian disabled of the 1940-1945 war

Legislation on national gratitude statutes

  • 24 December 1946 - Decree Act establishing the statute of members of the civilian resistance and civilian disobedience practitioners
  • 5 February 1947 - Law concerning the foreign political prisoner statute
  • 1 September 1948 - Law establishing the statute of underground press resistance members
  • 7 July 1953 - Law establishing the forced labour deportees statute of the 1940-1945 war and repealing the Decree Act of 24 December 1946
  • 16 October 1954 - Royal Decree coordinating the legal provisions concerning the statute of the political prisoners and their persons entitled
  • 2 April 1958 - Law modifying, with regard to the civilian disobedience practitioners, the Decree Act of 24 December 1946 establishing the statute of members of the civilian resistance and civilian disobedience practitioners.
  • 21 November 1974 - Law establishing the statute of forced conscript in the German army and his entitled persons.
  • 21 November 1974 - Law establishing the statute of member of the resistance against Nazism in the occupied territories.
  • 8 February 1984 - Royal Decree establishing the national gratitude statute to the benefit of the fishermen at sea who, during the 1914-1918 war, set out from British, French or Belgian ports or from British ports during the 1940-1945 war.
  • 12 April 1990 - Royal Decree establishing the national gratitude statute to the benefit of the men who joined the recruitment agencies of the Belgian army (R.C.B.L.) in 1940.
  • 26 January 1999 - Law establishing new measures in aid of the war victims
  • 19 April 1999 - Royal Decree determining the conditions and provisions of the honorary degree as a Righteous person
  • 19 April 1999 - Royal Decree establishing the statute of Jewish children in hiding during World War Two
  • 10 June 2001 - Law modifying the procedure for awarding the national gratitude statutes
  • 16 January 2006 - Law establishing the re-opening of the time limits for filing applications to obtain the national gratitude statute for the 1940-1945 war and the Korean campaign

Legislation on racial persecution victims

  • 11 April 2003 - Law establishing new measures to the benefit of the war victims

Legislation on medical care and the reimbursement of the non-refundable part of medical expenses

  • Royal Decree of 23 December 2002
  • Law of 11 May 2007