Work permit for non-EU nationals
If you are neither an EU, EEA nor Swiss citizen, you need authorisation to work in Belgium. The right permit depends on your profile, salary and status (employee vs self-employed).
- 1Average salary → Single permit: the employer files the request with the region.
- 2High salary (≥ €53k) → European Blue Card: faster, EU mobility.
- 3Self-employed → Professional card, to be requested from the region before arrival.
- 4Group transfer → ICT (intra-corporate transfer), BE subsidiary of an international group.
Permit catalogue
Click the links to open the official regional pages (exact procedure varies depending on where the employer is located).
For whom: Any non-EU employee recruited by a Belgian employer for a position over 90 days.
Main conditions
- The employer files the request (not the worker)
- Labour market test: show that no EU candidate is available (except shortage occupations)
- Employment contract compliant with Belgian law
- Recognised diploma and skills matching the position
For whom: Executives and experts highly qualified with university degree (bachelor minimum) or 5 years equivalent experience.
Main conditions
- Gross annual salary ≥ 1.5× Belgian average (~ €53,247/year in 2025)
- Bachelor minimum recognised in Belgium (equivalence if foreign)
- Contract ≥ 1 year
- No labour market test required
Official links
For whom: Founders, key employees and tech talents in startups/scaleups labelled by hub.brussels.
Main conditions
- Company labelled by hub.brussels
- Gross salary ≥ ~ €50,000/year (executives) or demonstrable for founders
- Credible 3-year development plan
Official links
For whom: Freelancers, consultants, non-EU entrepreneurs wishing to establish as self-employed in Belgium.
Main conditions
- Credible business plan (revenue, clientele, added value for BE)
- Diplomas or experience demonstrating capacity to practise
- Registration at Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (BCE) after obtaining
- Affiliation to a social insurance fund for self-employed
For whom: Senior executives, experts or graduate trainees from subsidiaries of an international group (non-EU entity → BE subsidiary).
Main conditions
- Group link between origin entity and Belgian company
- At least 12 months seniority in the group abroad
- Salary compliant with sector agreements in BE
- Status maintained in origin company
Official links
For whom: Non-EU workers recruited for seasonal activities (picking, harvest, tourist season).
Main conditions
- Activity recognised as seasonal by the region
- Decent housing provided by the employer
- Fixed-term seasonal contract
Official links
Practical tips
- The employer files the request (except self-employed professional card). You cannot request a single permit alone.
- Shortage occupations: BXL/WAL/FLA region publishes an annual list. For these occupations, labour market test is waived → shorter delay, easier request.
- Change during employment: if you change employer, a new request is needed. No automatic continuity.
- Family follows in almost all permits: spouse and minor children get an aligned residence permit. Spouse automatically obtains the right to work.
- Towards long-term residence: after 5 years of continuous legal residence, you can apply for card D (EU long-term residence) or Belgian naturalisation (under conditions).