Belgium
Kingdom of Belgium · Capital: Brussels
Home to the EU institutions and NATO, Belgium offers a single-permit system where work and residence are granted together. Immigration competence is regionalised across Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels, each with its own shortage lists, and the EU Blue Card is widely used for highly qualified roles.
Migration statistics
Who is arriving
Top source countries and the make-up of recent arrivals into Belgium.
Policy overview
8 visa routes into Belgium
Eligibility, fees, processing times and whether each route leads to permanent residence.
Single Permit
WorkSingle Permit
A combined work-and-residence permit for employees with a Belgian job offer, processed via the relevant region.
Eligibility
- Job offer from a Belgian employer
- Regional labour-market approval
- Recognised qualifications where required
Document checklist (11 items)
Core
Professional
Background
EU Blue Card
SkilledBlue Card
For highly qualified workers with a degree and a contract above the regional salary threshold.
Eligibility
- Higher-education degree
- Contract of 1+ year
- Salary above the regional 2026 threshold (Brussels EUR 4,748 a month, Flanders EUR 63,586, Wallonia EUR 68,815 a year)
Document checklist (10 items)
Core
Professional
Background
Professional Card
EntrepreneurProfessional Card
Authorisation for self-employed workers and entrepreneurs to carry out an independent activity in Belgium.
Eligibility
- Viable business plan
- Proof of economic added value
- Regional approval
Document checklist (11 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
ICT
For managers, specialists and trainees transferring from a non-EU branch to a Belgian entity of the same group.
Eligibility
- 3-12 months' prior employment in the group
- Managerial/specialist/trainee role
- Qualifying corporate relationship
Document checklist (8 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Student Visa
StudentStudent
Study at a Belgian institution with limited work rights and a post-study job-search year.
Eligibility
- Enrolment at a recognised institution
- Proof of funds
- Health insurance
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Student Visa (Type D)
StudentBE-STU
Study at an accredited institution, usually with limited work rights and a post-study route.
Eligibility
- Acceptance from an approved institution
- Proof of funds for tuition + living costs
- Health cover
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Family Reunification
FamilyBE-FAM
Join a spouse, partner or close family member who is a citizen or resident.
Eligibility
- Genuine relationship to a citizen/resident
- Sponsor meets income/housing rules
- Relationship evidence
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Professional Card (Self-Employed)
EntrepreneurBE-PC
Residence for self-employed and entrepreneurs.
Eligibility
- Viable business plan
- Economic benefit
- Funds
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Economic context
The numbers behind the move
Pay reflects the local market in Belgium, what you'd typically earn there, not your current salary.
Skill shortages
Sectors actively recruiting from abroad
Where Belgium needs foreign talent most, and what those roles pay.
Technology
Flanders and Brussels report chronic ICT shortages.
Healthcare
Nursing and care roles are on regional shortage lists.
Engineering
Engineering profiles are persistently hard to fill.
EU & professional services
EU institutions sustain demand for multilingual professionals.
Recent changes
What's changed lately
Recent policy changes that affect migrants, newest first.
No policy changes recorded in the last 90 days. The intelligence agent is monitoring.
Quality of life
What living there feels like
Brussels
EU & NATO capitalThe EU's capital, multilingual, international and full of institutional and corporate jobs.
- Cost index
- 74
- 1-bed rent
- $1,300
- Quality
- 79
Antwerp
Port & fashionA wealthy port and diamond city with a strong fashion and design scene.
- Cost index
- 70
- 1-bed rent
- $1,150
- Quality
- 81
Ghent
Medieval university cityA beautiful, youthful university city consistently rated for its quality of life.
- Cost index
- 68
- 1-bed rent
- $1,050
- Quality
- 83
Leuven
Top university & biotechHome to a leading university and a thriving biotech and deep-tech spinout scene.
- Cost index
- 70
- 1-bed rent
- $1,100
- Quality
- 83
Bruges
Storybook old townA picturesque, calm medieval city, appealing for a quiet family or retirement base.
- Cost index
- 66
- 1-bed rent
- $1,000
- Quality
- 82
Living essentials
The practical day-to-day of settling in Belgium.
Excellent, affordable system via compulsory insurance funds (mutuelles).
Free multilingual public schools and respected universities; many international schools.
Moderate and cheaper than neighbours; Brussels is good value for a capital.
Fast and reliable.
Temperate maritime, mild, rainy.
Safety & climate
The reception you can expect
How welcoming the public and political mood is, how safe it is, and how geopolitically stable the country is right now.
Anti-migrant sentiment
trendAn international, multilingual society with localised political tensions.
Higher = more hostile public/political climate.
Geopolitical stability
A composite of governance, security and regional-risk signals. Higher means a more predictable environment for settling long term.
Higher = more stable.
Safety
Pickpocketing around Brussels stations; otherwise calm.
Higher = safer (crime index 48/100).
Where to live
Which Belgium city fits you?
Cities matched to who you are, career, family, retirement, study or remote work. We flag the ones to consider and the ones to approach with care.
Ghent
Youthful and pretty
A beautiful, youthful university city consistently rated for its quality of life.
Brussels
International crossroads
The EU's capital, multilingual, international and full of institutional and corporate jobs.
Bruges
Tranquil and historic
A picturesque, calm medieval city, appealing for a quiet family or retirement base.
Leuven
Brainy and compact
Home to a leading university and a thriving biotech and deep-tech spinout scene.
Antwerp
Stylish and commercial
A wealthy port and diamond city with a strong fashion and design scene.
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