- Belgium has three regions, and each sets its own work permit rules and salary thresholds.
- 2026 highly skilled thresholds: Flanders €48,912 a year, Brussels €3,703.44 a month, Wallonia €53,220 a year.
- Your employer applies for the single permit, which combines work and residence.
- Dutch in Flanders, French in Brussels and Wallonia; Brussels is very international.
Belgium is often overlooked, which is exactly why it can work well. Brussels hosts EU institutions, international companies and consultancies, and Flanders has strong logistics, chemicals and tech employers. The catch: Belgium is really three job markets.
Three regions, three sets of rules
| Region | Highly skilled worker (2026) | EU Blue Card (2026) | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flanders | €48,912 a year | €63,586 a year | Dutch |
| Brussels-Capital | €3,703.44 a month | Set separately | French and Dutch, very international |
| Wallonia | €53,220 a year (from 1 March 2026) | €68,815 a year | French |
Source: VisaHQ, March 2026. Flanders and Brussels kept their 2025 figures until new wage statistics are published, so check the regional authority before you apply.
How the single permit works
The single permit combines your work authorisation and residence. Your employer starts the application with the region where you will work, and once the region approves, the federal immigration office handles residence. You cannot apply for it alone without an employer.
Where to find jobs
- VDAB (Flanders), Actiris (Brussels) and Le Forem (Wallonia): the official job services, each with its own job board.
- LinkedIn for Brussels-based international roles, consultancies and EU-related employers.
- Company career pages of large employers in Antwerp, Ghent, Brussels and Leuven.
Step by step from India
- Check your degree. Have your degree and transcripts ready, and check recognition early. Read my degree recognition guide; the same documents are useful everywhere in Europe.
- Rebuild your CV in the European format. Two pages, results, keywords from each ad. See the European CV guide.
- Search where Belgian employers post. VDAB, Actiris or Le Forem plus LinkedIn and company career pages. My local job portals guide explains why this matters.
- Contact 3 to 4 people per company. Hiring manager, a team member, the recruiter and someone with a shared background. See the networking guide.
- Get the contract first, then the permit. In most cases your employer starts or supports the permit process. Never pay anyone for a job offer.
- Resign in India only after approval. Wait until your permit or visa is granted before you hand in your notice.
Belgium works best if you speak some French or Dutch, or target international roles in Brussels. If you are deciding between Belgium and the Netherlands, read my Netherlands guide too.
BELGIUM to @swapnil_in_germany on Instagram.
I moved to Germany for my master's, collected more than 1,000 rejections, and then got multiple job offers within six months. I work in digital marketing in Germany and help international professionals get hired in Europe. Read my story.
