Insights

The Private Investigations Act (PIA), which entered into force on December 16, 2024, fundamentally modernized the framework for private investigation activities in Belgium. Its implications for businesses conducting internal investigations are far-reaching.  

Until recently, Belgian law did not have a general regulatory framework for internal investigations. Companies wishing to conduct an investigation had to navigate a fragmented set of rules that covered general principles and, to a limited extent, privacy and employee rights. The application of these rules to internal investigations was not clear, and it was therefore often difficult to put the rules into practice. This legal vacuum created significant risks, both for the integrity of the investigation itself and for the admissibility of any evidence gathered. 

On February 3, 2026, the Belgian government submitted a draft law containing various labor-related provisions. The draft legislation aims to modernize Belgian labor law and includes significant changes to work regulations, minimum working time for part-time employees, night work restrictions, and notice period rules.