According to a Paperjam story published on Monday, the legal threshold allowed before being taxed in both countries, would rise from 24 to 48 days per year, under the agreement being finalised between Luxembourg and Belgian tax officials.

There were hopes the threshold would be raised to 69 days, with some in Belgium suggesting teleworking as a solution to growing mobility issues. But MP and mayor of Tintigny Benoît Piedboeuf points out that 48 days is equivalent to one day of working from home each week over the course of a year, when holidays are taken into account.

Under European Union regulations, the number of teleworking days in a different country should not exceed 25% of the total number of days worked in the main country of employment, in this case Luxembourg. Anyone exceeding this rule, would be taxed in their residence country. Piedboeuf argues that under these rules, Belgian residents who are cross-border workers in Luxembourg should be eligible for 55 days’ of teleworking, on the basis that most people work 220 days per year.

Paperjam cited the Luxembourg finance ministry as saying that negotiations are still ongoing and progressing well, although no date has been given for the official inking of the agreement.

In France the threshold for cross-border workers to work from home is 29 days per year while in Germany it is 19 days.