Safety, health and working conditions

The Royal Decree of 20 October 2024 sets out precise safety, hygiene and well-being requirements for sex workers. Everything is at the employer's expense.

1. Work premises

The employer must provide a safe and hygienic environment, whether the work takes place in their establishment or elsewhere (Royal Decree of 20 October 2024, art. 3).

Room size

Minimum 8 m² when 2 people are present (worker + client)
Minimum 9 m² when 3 people are present
The size must be appropriate for the type of service

Mandatory equipment

Shower with hot and cold water, in the room or nearby
Clean bedding and bath linen, regularly laundered
Panic button in every room

2. Hygiene

All hygiene requirements are at the employer's expense, free of charge for the worker (art. 3, §3):

Condoms and protective devices — in sufficient quantity and appropriate for the practices.
Toiletries — including suitable products for intimate hygiene.
Bedding and linen — clean, in sufficient quantity, regularly laundered.
Shower — with hot and cold water, accessible in the room or in a nearby area dedicated to this purpose.

3. Safety

Panic button

Every room where sex work takes place must have a panic button (law of 3 May 2024, art. 17, 5°). The employer must have a response procedure for the panic button, integrated into the internal emergency plan (Royal Decree of 20 October 2024, art. 5).

Person of reference

The employer must designate a person of reference, available continuously (24/7 during operating hours) and reachable by workers at all times (art. 17, 3°). Their availability is part of the internal emergency plan.

Attendance register: The employer must have a procedure to verify which workers are present in the establishment at all times (art. 5, 1°). All safety procedures, information and instructions must be understood by the workers and effectively applicable (art. 6).

4. Mandatory information

The employer must permanently display the following information in a visible and accessible manner (art. 4):

Emergency service numbers, including police
Contact details of the employer, with a reminder that they are responsible for everything that takes place in their establishment
Contact details of the person of reference
Contact details of trade unions
Contact details of support organisations for sex workers (socio-medical and professional associations)
Information on safe sex and STIs (sexually transmitted infections)
Workers' rights and freedoms (right of refusal, right to leave, etc.)