5.1.1. In general

For all types of events of a purely scientific nature: national or international congresses, investigator meetings, expert meetings, symposia, seminars, scientific satellite symposia, training sessions on the proper use of medicines or medical devices, scientific training sessions, advisory boards, live surgery meetings, scientific information sessions, etc. For a definition of each of these scientific meetings, please refer to the Guidance of the FAMHP.

The following events do not meet the legal scientific criteria and therefore may not be sponsored: events without a scientific program, events of a promotional nature, satellite symposia of a promotional nature, workshops featuring product demonstrations, local quality groups (“LOK” or “GLEM”), interdisciplinary consultations, product-oriented training sessions, open houses, business lunches or dinners, non-scientific presentations, social events. For a definition of each of these events, please refer to Guideline Art. 10 of the FAMHP or section 5.1.2 below.

Certain topics, presentations or workshops can perhaps be interesting for the participating professionals, but are not in the context of the medical or pharmaceutical science. See for example presentations and workshops on financial, tax or social aspects linked to the exercise of a practice or “train the trainer” sessions. If such activities are planned, then also purely scientific activities need to be scheduled occupying the greater part of each day of the event.

In order to present an exclusively scientific nature, the activities of a scientific nature must always occupy the greater part of each day of the event, from the arrival until the moment of departure. One day must include at least six hours of scientific activities (excluding breaks), during normal office hours (and therefore not for example 7 am – 1 pm). For the first day and the last day, three hours may be sufficient to allow arrivals and departures.

5.1.2. Definitions

All definitions of the meetings mentioned above can be found on pages 15–18 of the FAMHP Guidance (Dutch version – French version).

Factory visits are not allowed. However, the following situations are permitted at manufacturing facilities:

  • Product or procedure training of medical devices that can only take place in the factory because of the relevant expertise or infrastructure in place; in this case, however, it does not constitute a factory visit, as this is secondary to the primary objective (the scientific training).
  • In the event of a major scientific added value for the participating professionals, which must be substantiated and justified. The motivation must prove, among other things, why the scientific event cannot take place in Belgium. Moreover, if the factory visit is to be preceded by presentations on theoretical aspects, the latter must represent a maximum of a third of the program, if not the transfer abroad is not justified for the entire duration of the meeting.Merely demonstrating production or other processes or speaking with employees involved in these activities does not constitute significant scientific added value within the meaning of the legislation. Significant scientific added value can only consist of training or the provision of information indispensable to the proper practice of medical and pharmaceutical practice, which must be clearly demonstrated in the visa application.