Work permits and visas in Belgium: An employer’s guide

Before your company can start hiring in Belgium, you must have the documentation to support them, including the right work permits and visas.

Local immigration laws can be complex, especially if you have limited knowledge of Belgian labor laws. If your company is non-compliant with Belgium's immigration laws, you can face severe financial penalties, legal issues, and a loss of reputation. Your team members could even face deportation from the country, and your business would be responsible for any penalties incurred.

Whether you're relocating an existing employee to Belgium or hiring a non-citizen of the country, your first step is to understand work permits and visa requirements so that you can hire them legally.

This guide will give you an overview of immigration procedures so that you can hire in Belgium legally. We'll also explain why using a trusted employer of record (EOR) can make it easy and efficient for you to hire abroad.

Who is eligible to work in Belgium?

As part of the EU/EFTA free movement agreements, citizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland can live and work in Belgium without needing a visa or work permit. But if a citizen of the above countries stay longer than 3 months, they must register with the local commune to get a residence permit/certificate. This isn’t a “work permit” but a residence document confirming your right to stay.

Citizens from countries outside the Schengen Area are subject to Belgium's visa requirements and must obtain the necessary work authorization or permit before being allowed to work legally in Belgium. In addition, they would need a residence permit (tied to to the work authorisation).

Since Belgium introduced the single permit system in 2019, the process is combined:

• Your employer applies for a single permit.
• Once approved, you apply for a long-stay visa (D visa) at the Belgian consulate.
• After arrival, you register at your local commune within 8 days and receive a residence card (A card), which confirms your legal stay and work rights.

Immigration checks are usually lengthy and time-consuming processes which requires a good understanding of employment and immigration laws in Belgium.

To make your life easier and speed up the process, consider working with an EOR like Remote. With Remote, the employee can easily submit relevant documentation using our simple, intuitive, platform.

Remote's Mobility team can perform an eligibility check on your behalf. Even if the employee doesn't have a valid permit, Remote will facilitate the process quickly to ensure immediate legal compliance. Learn more about our employee relocation services to

Do non-citizens need a visa or permit for work in Belgium?

Non-Belgian workers who want to be employed in Belgium must obtain a work permit unless they are citizens of a European Member State or Switzerland.

Certain categories of work in Belgium — such as artistic performances, journalism, research, sports, sales representation, and official diplomatic/government duties — can be carried out for up to 90 days without a work permit. However, non-EU nationals may still need to apply for a short-stay visa (Type C) depending on their nationality, and most short-term workers must also file a Limosa declaration before starting work

Any non-citizens of Belgium who are not eligible for the above requirements — and wish to stay in Belgium longer than 90 days — will need a long-term visa (type D) along with a fixed-term single work permit.

How is the Schengen Visa applicable?

Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals to visit Belgium (and other Schengen countries) for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, it does not permit paid employment.

How is the European Union Blue Card applicable?

The EU Blue Card was created for highly skilled professionals who are non-EU citizens who are seeking work in European countries. With the card, individuals can work, live, and re-enter any participating EU country, except for Ireland and Denmark.

The card is valid anywhere between one and three years and is dependent on the length of the employment contract.

The card provides socioeconomic rights to workers as well as a path to permanent residency in Belgium. Once an EU Blue Card is awarded, the employee can apply for a visa in Belgium.

What are the eligibility requirements for a work visa in Belgium?

When your business is looking to employ non-EU citizens in Belgium, you must first meet all the legal requirements set by the Belgium government.

Before you apply for a Belgium visa, you must first apply for a fixed-term single permit. This is a prerequisite to obtaining a work visa. Before the employee is granted a single permit, Belgium authorities will conduct a labor market test to ensure that no Belgian or EU workers can fill the position first.

Below are the eligibility requirements for obtaining a fixed-term single permit:

• Completed visa application forms signed by both parties
• Valid passport with 12 months before the expiration date, including two blank pages
• Accredited educational institution qualifications
• CV with work experience
• Medical report no older than six months
• Police report no older than six months
• Proof of accommodation
• Proof of financial stability
• Health insurance covering $40,000

Since the employer will be applying for the permit for the employee, they will also need to meet several requirements before applying. These include:

• Proof of payment for the single permit
• Employment agreement signed by both parties
• Additional documentation regarding employment
• Company registration, employer ID, and VAT number
• National Registration Number of the employee

What are the long-stay visa types in Belgium?

The main visa that almost all workers will apply for that stay and work in Belgium for longer than 90 days will be the long-stay visa D. The type D visa allows workers entry into Belgium. However, they would also need a work permit to stay long-term in the country.

How do you get a work visa for Belgium?

Before obtaining a visa for work in Belgium, the employee will first need proof of employment in the form of an employment contract.

Once an employment contract is drafted and signed by both parties, you can begin the application process, which involves the following steps:

• Employee applies for a work visa with the Belgian Embassy in their home country
• Employee receives permit and visa and travels to Belgium
• Employee registers with Belgium authorities and records their residential address
• Employee applies for an identification card
• Employee provides fingerprints and collects their ID card

The application process could last anywhere from eight to ten weeks, depending on how familiar you are with the process and how long it takes to get a work permit.

The visa is valid for up to a year with the possibility of an extension. If your worker lives in Belgium for at least five years, they will become eligible to apply for permanent residence or the work permit type A. The type A permit allows workers to live and work in Belgium indefinitely as long as they are employed.

As the employer, you will be responsible for making sure the employee is fully compliant with immigration laws and is able to work and live in Belgium legally.

Even in cases where workers can apply for visas on their own, it's crucial your business monitors every aspect of the application process. The immigration process can be a liability for your company if one step or document is missed, rendering your worker non-compliant with local laws. The ensuing financial and legal repercussions fall solely on your business.

If you want to avoid the hassle of organizing the paperwork while staying in compliant with local immigration laws, choose a global HR partner like Remote. Our expert team can guide on on multiple e who can guide you in hiring, payroll, and mobility services no matter where you want to expand your team.

What are the visa requirements for digital nomads in Belgium?

Belgium does not offer a digital nomad visa and has not announced any plans to create one for remote workers.

Why use an employer of record to hire in Belgium

To hire or relocate an employee to Belgium, remember you'll have to open your own entity in the country. Establishing a local entity in the country of hiring can be an expensive and long-winded process. You'll have to have a strong understanding of local employment legislation and figure out how to manage and pay employees compliantly.

Your best bet is to work with Remote who can hire and pay employees legally on your behalf. Our EOR services can manage your international hiring process, employee onboarding, benefits , taxes, payroll, immigration, and compliance with local employment laws.

Learn more about how you can use an EOR in Belgium to hire employees quickly and compliantly in our article below.

Navigating work permits and visas in Belgium with Remote

Whether you’re hiring or relocating an employee to Belgium, it’s essential to navigate local employment and immigration laws carefully.

Without the right guidance, the process can become stressful for both the employer and the employee. Remote understands the challenges of international hiring and relocation, and we’re here to simplify the journey. By educating you on the relocation procedure and managing the requirements for visas, compliance, and immigration, we make global employment seamless.

With Remote’s all-in-one HR platform, you have everything you need to make international relocation simple and stress-free.

Download Remote's Relocation Guide for tips and insights on how you can make immigration processes simple. If you're ready to start hiring in Belgium, contact our Mobility experts who can guide you through the process today.