General context: single permit and shortage occupations

Any third-country national wishing to work in Belgium for more than 90 days must hold a single permit, issued through the employer. In some cases, a labour market test is required to verify the unavailability of local candidates.

Flanders: classification by profiles and stricter rules

Highly qualified profiles

• Higher education/university degree of 3 years or more OR qualification level 5
• 2024 salary threshold: 50,310 euros gross/year (3,614.22 euros/month)
• Reduced to 80% (40,248 euros) if the worker is not posted AND is under 30 years old or is a nurse

No proof of absence of local candidates required.

Medium-skilled profiles (shortage occupations)

• 29 professions recognised as shortage occupations
• Minimum qualification: level 2, 3 or 4
• Job posting for 9 weeks on VDAB + EURES
• Minimum employment rate: 80%

Other vacant positions

• No recognised shortage
• Systematic refusal of employment authorisations

Other new developments in Flanders

• Increased checks on the solvency and actual activity of companies
• Flexi-jobs now accessible to foreign workers under a single permit
• EU Blue Card: employer change possible after 12 months, without a new application

Brussels: authorisation reform entering into force in October 2024

Shortage occupations

• No labour market analysis for positions listed on Actiris
• For others: posting + Actiris support for 5 weeks

Salary simplification

Thresholds based on 80% of the average gross monthly salary in the Brussels-Capital Region.

From 1 October 2024, salary thresholds for specific employment categories (e.g. highly qualified workers) will be calculated based on a percentage of the average gross monthly salary in the Brussels-Capital Region (= 80% of the salary).

Removals and replacements

• Company directors: no longer require a single permit if remuneration is 6,647.20 euros or more (from 2025)
• End of the B permit, replaced by short-term/long-term authorisations
• Automated annual check: no more manual document submission for authorisations exceeding 1 year

Unlimited work permit

After 30 months of continuous residence in Brussels + permit issued by the Brussels-Capital Region, otherwise: 4 years of work required.

Renewal

• Must be submitted 2 months before expiry
• Late submission = inadmissibility, except in exceptional cases
• New position or new employer = new application

Additional documents

Annex: job description + company organisational chart.

EU Blue Card: new conditions

Access opened to those who demonstrate:

• Experience equivalent to a degree (3 years or more over the last 7 years)
• Function: Manager or specialist in IT & communications

Wallonia: expansions and increased flexibility

Generalisation of the single permit

Open to all third-country nationals, even without a bilateral agreement.

Shortage occupations

No labour market investigation if:

• The position appears on the official list
• OR FOREM certifies the impossibility of filling the position after: 5-week posting on the market, active management / unsuccessful pre-selection, assessment by the delegated official, appeal to the Minister of Employment

Highly qualified profiles

Possibility of substituting the degree if:

• Higher education degree
• IT function or IT manager
• Experience of 3 years or more over the last 7 years

Salary threshold reduced to 80% for those under 30.

General changes

• Mandatory clauses in contracts
• Maximum duration: 3 years for certain special categories from the first granting
• Easier access to the EU Blue Card
• Seasonal workers eligible for the single permit

Conclusion

The 2024 reform enables better adaptation to labour market realities and simplification of procedures for employers and foreign highly qualified profiles. Each Region applies specific rules, hence the importance of expert guidance to secure your procedure.