Belgium will be implementing many changes for different work permits from 1 October. The regulation concerns non-EU nationals working for an employer in the Brussels-Capital Region. The major changes include the following:
- Simplification of the calculation of remuneration
- End of work permit B
- Fewer procedures for work permits of more than one year
- Granting of an unlimited work permit after 30 months of residence and occupation in the Brussels Capital Region
- Additional annexes to be provided
- Transposition of the new Blue Card Directive
- Changes of work permit names
End of Work Permit B
The previous “Work Permit B” will now be classified as either a “short-term work permit” or a “long-term work permit.” The updated work permits will be sent directly to the employer, who will then be responsible for passing them on to the worker, allowing them to apply for a visa if needed. The procedure for au pairs will remain unchanged.
Streamlined Procedures for Work Permits Over One Year
For work permits exceeding one year, employers will no longer need to submit documents for the annual review. While the review process will still take place, it will be conducted automatically. However, authorities reserve the right to request additional information if required.
Unlimited Work Permit After 30 Months of Residence
Employees who have lived in the Brussels-Capital Region for at least 30 uninterrupted months and can provide proof of 30 months of employment with a single permit or work permit issued in the region can qualify for an unlimited work permit. For those who have been issued limited-duration work permits from other regions, the qualifying period is extended to four years.
Additional Documentation Requirements
For certain categories, additional documents will be required, such as a detailed job description and a company organization chart, to allow for a more thorough assessment of the application. However, for shortage occupations as identified by Actiris, no further job market analysis will be conducted.
For other non-categorized roles, Actiris will continue to perform job market analyses, provided the job offer has been published on Actiris for at least five weeks, and the results of this search are submitted.
New Blue Card Directive
New provisions will be introduced under the updated Blue Card Directive, simplifying the process of changing employers for Blue Card holders. In the field of information and communication technologies, a higher education degree will no longer be required, as professional qualifications can be demonstrated through relevant work experience.
Simplification of salary calculation
Starting from October 1, 2024, salary thresholds for specific occupation categories will be calculated as a percentage of the average gross monthly salary in the Brussels-Capital Region, which is set at €4,604. Only the basic monthly remuneration, as indicated in code 1 of the DMFA declaration, will be considered in this calculation.
| Category | Gross amount per month |
| Senior Executive | 6,445.60 € (140%) |
| Highly qualified personnel | €3,591.12 (78%) |
| Performing artist | 2,992.60 € (65%) |
| European Blue Card | 4.604,00 € (100 %) |
| ICT framework | 5,294.60 € (115%) |
| ICT expert | 4,373.80 € (95%) |
| ICT intern | 2,532.20 € (55%) |
| Average gross monthly salary in the Brussels-Capital Region | 4.604,00 € |
The method of calculation for athletes, as well as the determination of the guaranteed average monthly minimum income, are not modified and will remain applicable. This is €6.873,15 from 1 July 2024.
Short-Term Work Permit
If the work period in Belgium is up to 90 days within a 180-day window (with consecutive employment, earlier periods will count toward the 90-day limit), in that case, the employer or their representative must request a short-term work permit.
This requirement also applies to cross-border workers or employees teleworking from outside Belgium for an employer based in Brussels, provided the work lasts no longer than 90 days.
Long-Term Work Permit
For cross-border workers or those teleworking from abroad for a Brussels-based employer for more than 90 days, a long-term work permit must be obtained by the employer or their representative.
This permit may be issued for up to 3 years, depending on the worker’s contract duration, if the worker falls under one of the following categories:
- Highly skilled workers;
- Workers on intra-company transfers (excluding trainee employees);
- European Blue Card holders;
- Researchers.
Single Permit
The single permit process remains unchanged when the worker resides in Belgium and the work period exceeds 90 days.