Belgium modifies work permit rules for foreign workers, salary threshold hiked

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The Brussels Capital Region in Belgium has updated its work authorization and professional card regulations for non-European nationals.

Belgium has updated its regulations regarding work authorizations for foreign workers in the Brussels Capital region. Since October 1, 2024, the rules concerning authorisations to work and professional cards have changed for non-European nationals in the Brussels Capital Region.

Some of the main changes in the work permit rules include renaming the B Work Permit, increasing its validity, and providing unlimited work authorisations for foreign workers.

End of work permit B

Work permit B will now be called a ‘short-term work authorisation’ or a ‘long-term work authorisation’. The work authorisation will now be sent directly to the employer, who must pass it on to the worker so that they can apply for a visa if necessary. The procedure for au pairs will remain unchanged.

The term “au pair” refers to a young person who is temporarily accommodated in a family where he or she is provided with board and lodging in return for light family duties, to improve his or her language skills and increase his or her general culture through a better knowledge of the country by participating in the life of the host family.

In order to stay as an au pair worker in Belgium, young foreigners must have a valid work permit in their possession.Belgian host families, on the other hand, have to apply for an employment authorization and a B work permit if they want to host an au pair. On the basis of this employment authorization, the young person can apply for a visa.

Work authorisations valid for more than one year

When a work authorisation for more than one year has been granted, the employer will no longer have to send documents for the annual check. This check will remain but will be automated. The administration reserves the right to request additional information if necessary.

Unlimited work authorisation

Unlimited work authorisation will be granted after 30 months’ residence and occupation in the Brussels Capital Region. To qualify for an unlimited work authorisation, an employee domiciled in the Brussels Capital Region must have resided in Belgium for at least 30 months without interruption and provide proof of 30 months’ employment attested by a single permit or work authorisation obtained in the Brussels Capital Region. Where time-limited work authorisations have been issued by another Region, the period is extended to four years.

The regulations will also include new provisions concerning the blue card. It will be easier to change employer. Further, higher education qualifications will no longer be required in the field of information and communications technology while professional qualifications can be demonstrated by proof of professional experience.

Short-term work authorisation

If the working period in Belgium is a maximum of 90 days out of 180 (in the case of successive employment without interruption, previous periods are taken into account in the calculation of the 90 days), the employer or their agent must apply for a short-term work authorisation. This also applies to cross-border workers or workers teleworking from abroad for a Brussels-based employer, for up to 90 days.

Long-term work authorisation

If the worker is a cross-border worker, or teleworks from abroad for an employer in the Brussels Capital Region, for more than 90 days, the employer or their agent must apply for a long-term work authorisation.

This authorisation may be granted for three years, depending on the duration of the employment contract, for highly skilled workers, intra-group transferees, workers holding a European Blue Card and researchers.

Single permit

The single permit procedure remains unchanged if the worker stays in Belgium for more than 90 days.

Salary thresholds for specific occupations

Since January 1, 2024, the salary thresholds for specific categories of occupation are calculated based on a percentage of the average gross monthly salary (Only the basic monthly remuneration considered) in the Brussels Capital Region, which is €4,604. From January 1, 2025, the average gross monthly salary in the Brussels Capital will amount to €4,748.