Working in Belgium

This page gives some very general information about working in Belgium.

Residence permits

EU Nationals
If you are a national of one of the 15 EU countries you do not require a visa to enter Belgium. However, you must register with the commune in which you choose to live and obtain a residence permit as soon as you arrive in Belgium.

Non-EU Nationals
Non-EU nationals intending to stay in Belgium for longer than three months have to apply for a Type D Schengen visa from the Belgian consulate in their country of residence before they arrive. The Belgian authorities grant residence visas to non-Belgians and non-EU nationals for a small number of purposes only: to study, for employment provided the applicant has obtained a work permit, for family reunification, cohabitation and marriage.

Work permits

You DO NOT NEED a work permit if:

• you are from an EU-member state or EEA country (except Switzerland)
• you are MARRIED to a citizen of an EU-member state 

Non-EU nationals cannot work or enter the country to seek employment without obtaining a Type D visa and a work permit in advance from the Belgian authorities. Because of high unemployment, it is difficult for non-EU nationals to obtain work permits. Belgian legislation requires employers to prove that there is no local source of labor, expertise or skills available on the local labor market to fill the job in question.

Type A permits cover all kinds of salaried employment, are valid for an unlimited period and for any employer, leaving its holder free to change jobs at will. However, only a limited number of applicants qualify for this kind of permit (applicants in possession of a B work permit who have been living and working in Belgium for four years or more or those who have been living legally in Belgium for an uninterrupted period of five years).

Type B permits limit holders to one employer and must be renewed annually.

A new Type C permit, in force since April 2003, has a maximum duration of 12 months (renewable) and entitles holders to work in all sectors of the economy and to switch to a different employer without applying for a new permit.

Working freelance

To work on a freelance basis, you will need a business registration number (numéro de commerce / handelsregisternummer) and a VAT (TVA/BTW) number.

As freelance contractor, you need to have proof that you are licensed/trained to do the work you propose to do. This means that any diplomas will have to be reviewed by the Belgian authorities to ascertain whether they are "comparable" to a similar Belgian degree or certification. You will also have to register yourself with the local Crafts and Trades Organization ( Chambre des Métiers et Négoces/Kamer van Ambachten en Neringen).