Working in Belgium

You are considering working in Belgium? Great choice! Conditions to come and work in Belgium vary though, according to your nationality and country of residence, the length of your stay in Belgium and your professional status (employee or self-employed) in Belgium.

Employee & work permit

As a general rule, a foreign worker wishing to provide services in Belgium in the framework of a work contract (employee) may be admitted to work by his employer only after obtaining a work permit, regardless of the duration of the employment. There are three types of work permit:

Work permit A: this permit is valid for all salaried professions and has an unlimited duration. It is granted to a foreign worker who can prove, over a maximum period of 10 years of legal, uninterrupted residence immediately prior to the application, 4 years of work covered by a work permit B.
Work permit B: this permit is limited to employment with a single employer and is valid for a maximum of 12 months. It is granted only if the employer first obtains the authorisation to employ the foreign worker.
Work permit C: this permit is valid for all salaried professions and has a limited duration. It is granted to certain categories of foreign nationals authorised to remain in Belgium for a limited duration or on an insecure basis (e.g. students, asylum seekers, etc.).

You or your employer may apply for a work permit through the regional government under the authority of which your company or organization falls (Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels-Capital).

There are however some exemptions depending on your activity or profile. You will find more information on the website of the competent authorities in Flanders, Wallonia or Brussels-Capital.

Self-employed & professional card

On the other hand, all non-Belgians wishing to exercise a self-employed professional activity, either as natural persons or within an association or a partnership in fact or in law, must be holders of a professional card.

Professional cards may be obtained from the region you are planning to base your activity in (Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels-Capital).

As is the case for work permits, there are some exemptions depending on your activity or profile. You will find more information on the website of the competent authorities in Flanders, Wallonia or Brussels-Capital.

Ready to go?

You may submit your application for a work permit or professional card through the Belgian Office, Taipei. This should occur before the visa application.

Once you have obtained your work permit or professional card, please make sure to bring all other required documents for employees and self-employed when submitting your visa application to the Belgian Office, Taipei.

Welcome to Belgium!