Belgium Visa & Work Permit Guide

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals generally need both a work and residence permit to legally work and live in Belgium. 

Belgium uses a Single Permit system (Permis unique / Gecombineerde vergunning) that combines both permissions into a single procedure for foreign nationals staying over 90 days.

Employers (or their authorized Employer of Record) initiate the application, and two authorities must approve it: the regional employment authority (e.g., Brussels Economy and Employment) and the federal Immigration Office (Office des Étrangers).

The standard authorization for foreign employees is the Single Permit (Permis unique / Gecombineerde vergunning), combining work and residence authorization in a single process. It is typically issued for one year and is renewable, and most foreign employees will require this approval unless an exemption applies.

In short: legal employment in Belgium requires both the right to work and to reside — issued together as a single permit.

Single Permit – Highly Qualified Worker: For non-EU nationals hired by Belgian employers in roles meeting regional salary thresholds. Minimum salary levels vary by region, job category, and year, and must be verified at the time of application. 

Example thresholds (subject to annual indexation):

• Wallonia (annual gross): Highly skilled €53,220; Management €88,790; Under-30/trainee €42,576.

• Brussels Capital Region: Highly qualified €3,703.44/month (~€51,551 annually); Management €6,647.20/month (~€92,529 annually); EU Blue Card €4,748/month (~€66,092 annually).
  

• Flanders: Continues to use 2025 figures (previously ~€48,912 for highly skilled) pending updated 2026 indexation

⚠️ Salary thresholds change regularly and differ across Belgian regions and permit categories.

• Validity: 1 year, renewable
• Sponsorship: Required
• Leads to long-term residence: Yes. Not automatic. It may lead to permanent residence after 5 years if conditions remain met.
  
  

EU Blue Card: For highly educated foreign professionals with a higher salary (EUR 60,000+ in 2024) and degree recognition.

• Validity: Up to 4 years depending on contract
• Sponsorship: Required
• Leads to long-term residence: Yes; allows mobility across EU

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Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT) Permit: For managers, specialists, and trainees transferred within multinational groups.

• Validity: Max 3 years (1 year for trainees)
• Sponsorship: Required
• Long-term residence: No

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Short-Term Work Authorization: For work up to 90 days. Subject to quotas and conditions based on sector and nationality.

• Sponsorship: Yes (with some exemptions)
• Long-term residence: No

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Professional Card (Self-Employment): For non-EU entrepreneurs or self-employed professionals.

• Validity: Up to 5 years
• Sponsorship: Not required
• Leads to long-term residence: Yes. But not automatic. It may lead to permanent residence after 5 years if conditions remain met.

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Exemptions From Work Permit Requirements

Certain cases may be exempt from work permits:

• Self-employed founders are not subject to employee work permit requirements but must obtain a Professional Card and the appropriate residence authorization to legally operate in Belgium.

• Short-term specialists (under 90 days) under bilateral agreements or high-skill exemptions.

• Remote workers, Belgium does not offer a digital nomad visa. Foreign nationals residing in Belgium while working remotely for a non-Belgian employer may still require residence authorization, even if paid from abroad. Immigration, tax, and social security implications should be assessed case by case.

• Intra-EU mobility under certain directives (e.g., EU Blue Card mobility).

• Family members of EU citizens or settled residents may also have exemption rights.

⚠️ These exemptions are strictly regulated and vary case-by-case. Always verify with local authorities.

The typical path for long-term hires is:

1. Employer (or EOR like RemoFirst) offers a job and drafts a compliant contract
2. Application submitted to the regional authority (e.g., Brussels)
3. Immigration Office (federal) reviews residence component
4. Once both approve, the employee applies for a D-visa at the Belgian consulate
5. After entry, the employee registers with their local commune (municipality) within 8 days of arrival to receive their ID card

This is the standard route for full-time employees hired from outside the EU.

Yes. A Belgian employer or Employer of Record (EOR) must sponsor most non-EU employees.

Sponsor obligations include:

• Submitting the application
• Drafting a compliant employment contract
• Meeting salary and role eligibility
• Handling payroll, tax registration, and local compliance

Exemptions from sponsorship apply to:

• Entrepreneurs/self-employed individuals
• Some dependent family members of EU citizens

Employee Must Provide:

• Valid passport
• Signed job offer or employment contract
• Copy of university diploma (translated if needed). A diploma is not mandatory for all permits, it's required for highly skilled and EU Blue card roles.
• Clean criminal record (translated)
• Medical certificate (issued in the last 6 months). The medical certificate must be issued by a certified physician. The list of approved physicians can be found on the embassy’s website from the home country. If the physician is not on the list, the certificate must be legalized. However, if the physician is based in Belgium, legalization is not required.
• Proof of private health insurance commitment (mutualité)

Employer Must Provide:

• Registered Belgian entity or EOR contract
• Job description and justification for hire
• Signed contract meeting salary minimums
• Completed permit application form and questionnaire
• Compliance with labor and social laws

Exemptions and Alternative Pathways:

• Professional Card: For self-employed workers
• Startup visas: Under evaluation by regional authorities
• Remote workers: No official digital nomad visa
• Freelancers: Must apply as self-employed

Tax and Compliance:

• Income tax applies after 183 days of residence
• Employers must deduct income tax and social contributions
• Non-compliance can lead to permit denial, fines, or blacklisting
• Belgium has tax treaties to avoid double taxation

Long-term Residence & Permanent Status:

• Possible after 5 years of uninterrupted legal residence
• Requires proof of stable income, health insurance, and integration
• EU long-term residence card available
• Citizenship may be requested after 5–10 years depending on status

• Single Permit review: 60–120 days on average
• D visa at consulate: 2–4 weeks post-permit
• Local registration (commune): 1–2 weeks after arrival

Common Causes of Delay:

• Missing diploma translation or apostille
• Criminal record not properly certified
• Backlog at Immigration Office or local communes
• Errors in salary calculations or contract

Navigating Belgium’s work permit and residence environment can be complex — but that’s where RemoVisa adds value. We help employers and foreign hires by:

• Managing employer-sponsored visa applications: We guide your Belgian legal entity registration (if needed), draft compliant job documentation and vacancy justification, and submit work permit requests through the official portal.
  
  
• Ensuring compliant work permit + residence permit processing: We coordinate all required documents (passport, translations, contracts, proof of housing, legal attestations) and monitor approvals.
  
  
• Leveraging global coverage (110+ countries): As part of a broad global EOR network, Belgium is just one option among many, scaling hiring across regions.
  
  
• Providing managed support from immigration experts: Our team knows the nuances, common pitfalls, and how to anticipate delays or required follow-ups.
  
  
• Bundling visa support with payroll, benefits, onboarding: Foreign hires become fully integrated employees without burdening your internal HR — from employment contract to residency compliance to payroll and benefits delivery.
  
  

Plus: If your new hire has dependents (spouse or minor children), we can help with dependent permits, housing support, and compliance with resident-application requirements.

Find out what specific permits or visas in Belgium we support under our Employer of Record and RemoVisa service.

• RemoFirst Belgium Country Guide
• Living and working in Belgium
• Work Permits – Brussels Capital Region