If you’re a skilled professional considering making your next career move in Europe, then the Kingdom of Belgium should be on your radar. Nestled at the heart of the European Union, Belgium offers not only excellent strategic location and high living standards, but also a working and immigration framework that is evolving in favour of international talent. For the 2025/2026 period, Belgium’s policy changes make it increasingly viable for non-EU nationals to secure skilled worker visa jobs. In this blog post, you will learn how to apply now for skilled worker positions in Belgium, what the eligibility criteria are, which sectors are in demand, what the visa/residence permit process looks like, and how you can set yourself up for success. I use active voice throughout to make it clear what you must do. By the end of this article you’ll have a step-by-step roadmap for securing a skilled worker position in Belgium for 2025/2026.

Why Belgium is an attractive destination for skilled workers

Strategic location & global business environment

Belgium sits at the heart of Europe, home to the EU institutions, NATO, and many multinational companies. If you work in fields such as IT, engineering, finance, or international services, you’ll find that many employers in Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent and Leuven operate in multilingual, multicultural settings, and value international talent.

New policy reforms for skilled immigration

Belgium is actively reforming its immigration and labour-market frameworks. Notably:

• As of May 2025, the Flemish region (Flanders) cut processing times for “highly skilled” work authorisations down to 15 calendar days.
• Belgium provides a “single permit” that covers both work and residence permit in one application for non-EU nationals – simplifying the process.
• The “highly-qualified worker” route provides a clearly defined path for those holding higher education and a contract meeting salary thresholds.

High standard of living & work-life balance

Belgium offers world-class public services, good healthcare, multilingual culture, and proximity to major European capitals. If you find the right job and visa arrangement, you can benefit both professionally and personally.

Growing demand for talent in key sectors

While Belgium has a highly skilled labour market, there are persistent shortages in certain areas (IT, engineering, healthcare, specialised manufacturing). The fact that policy is geared towards attracting high-value international workers signals opportunity.

Understanding Belgium’s skilled worker visa / permit framework

Before applying for jobs, you need to understand how the visa/work permit system works in Belgium. Here are the key routes and requirements.

Single Permit (Work + Residence)

For non-EU nationals seeking employment in Belgium for more than 90 days, the Single Permit provides a combined work and residence permit in one process.

Key features:

• The employer (or their agent) submits the application to the competent regional authority (Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels-Capital).
• The type of permit and its validity depend on your category (highly-qualified worker, shortage occupation, etc). For highly qualified workers the permit can be valid up to 3 years initially.
• If you are in Belgium already or come from abroad, you still apply through the Single Permit process.

Highly qualified worker category

If you meet higher education and salary criteria, you may apply as a highly qualified worker. Here are the typical conditions:

• You must hold a higher education diploma (bachelor’s or master’s) of at least three years study.
• You must have an employment contract of at least one year (in many cases for the highly-qualified route pointing to stability).
• You must earn a salary at or above the region’s average gross annual salary (for example in Flanders, the threshold for 2025 being around €46,632 (or lower if under 30 or a nurse) according to reports).
• In Flanders, for those under age 30 or working as a nurse, the salary threshold may be reduced to 80% of the average.

Standard employed worker route

If you don’t qualify for the highly-qualified category, you may still apply under the general “employed worker” route. However:

• The employer often must demonstrate a labour market test (that no suitable EU/EEA candidate could be found) in some regions.
• The salary and contract must still be legitimate and meet collective bargaining or minimum wage standards.
• The permit may be shorter, and you’ll have to be more careful with stability and renewal.

EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is available in Belgium for highly skilled workers and offers mobility within the EU. Qualifications: higher education degree, salary above threshold, and a contract of 12+ months.

Recent key changes (2025/2026)

• As mentioned, processing in Flanders for highly skilled increases speed to 15 days.
• From January 2026, Belgium aims to cap processing time of all work authorisations (including non-highly skilled) at 45 days.
• Some reforms tighten rules for low-skilled workers, and companies will prioritize higher value talent.

In-demand job sectors for 2025/2026

To maximise your chances, you should target sectors where Belgium has demand and where you as an international applicant can stand out.

Information Technology, Software & Data Science

Belgium hosts many European HQs of tech and digital companies. Skilled professionals in software engineering, data science, cloud, cybersecurity are in demand. Target roles such as: Software Developer, DevOps Engineer, Data Scientist, AI/Machine Learning Engineer. Make sure your profile shows strong skills, experience and ideally multilingual capability.

Engineering, Manufacturing & High-Tech

Belgium’s industry includes manufacturing (automotive parts, chemicals, precision engineering), logistics and high-tech systems. Engineers with specialisation (mechanical, electrical, automation, robotics) are likely good candidates.

Healthcare & Skilled Nursing

Belgium has public‐private health systems and sees demand for healthcare professionals, especially if you have qualifications recognised in Belgium or willingness to adapt. Some highly qualified worker criteria allow nursing under lower threshold if under age 30.

Finance, Business Services & Multinational Corporations

In Brussels and Antwerp there is strong demand for professionals in finance, compliance, international business, logistics, supply chain and multilingual support roles. If you have bachelor or master’s degree, international experience and languages, you fit this area.

Salary expectations and thresholds

• For the highly qualified route in Flanders the reported threshold for 2025/2026 is around €46,632/year for general highly skilled category, and €37,305/year for under-30s or nurses.
• Employers and job seekers must ensure the offered total annual gross salary meets or exceeds region’s average (or the threshold) otherwise permit may not be granted.
• Keep in mind Belgian cost of living; salaries will vary by city (Brussels vs other areas).

Regional differences

Belgium is divided into three major regions: Flanders (Dutch-speaking), Wallonia (French-speaking) and Brussels-Capital (bilingual French/Dutch but many English jobs). Conditions (salary thresholds, processing times) differ by region. For example, Flanders offers fast 15-day processing for highly skilled.
Brussels and Wallonia may have higher thresholds and slightly different procedures.

Step-by-Step Job Search & Application Strategy

Here’s how you should plan your job search and application process for Belgium.

Step 1: Update your CV & LinkedIn profile

• Tailor your CV to the Belgian/European format: clear, concise, emphasise achievements, quantifiable results, technical skills, languages.
• On LinkedIn or similar, add “Open to opportunities in Belgium – Non-EU permit sponsorship welcome” (if you’re non-EU).
• Highlight your key skills, languages (English, French, Dutch ideally), international experience, and willingness to relocate.

Step 2: Identify roles that sponsor non-EU nationals

• Use job portals: LinkedIn, Indeed Belgium, regional portals such as VDAB (Flanders), Actiris (Brussels), FOREm (Wallonia).
• Filter for roles that say “visa sponsorship” or “non-EU nationals considered”.
• Focus on companies known to hire international talent (multinational corporations, European institutions).
• Use networks: professionals living in Belgium, LinkedIn groups of non-EU workers in Belgium.

Step 3: Tailor your cover letter & job application

• For each job, write a cover letter in which you state that you’re applying for the role and are eligible or able for non-EU permit sponsorship.
• Use active voice: “I will deliver …”, “I have developed …”, “I can support …”.
• Mention your readiness to relocate, your commitment, and how you will bring value to the company.

Step 4: Secure job offer & discuss permit eligibility

• Once you get an offer, confirm that the role meets criteria for non-EU permit: higher education (for highly qualified worker route), salary threshold, contract length, location/region.
• Ask the employer: which region they are in (Flanders, Brussels, Wallonia), which type of permit they will apply for (Single Permit highly qualified worker, EU Blue Card, etc).
• Clarify relocation support (housing, language, permit fees).
• Confirm that your annual gross salary meets or exceeds the region’s threshold (especially if applying as highly qualified). If you are under 30 or a nurse in Flanders, threshold may be reduced.

Step 5: Submit Single Permit application

• Employer submits application for Single Permit (work + residence) through regional and federal authorities.
• Applicant collects required documents: passport, diploma, salary proof, contract, health insurance proof, criminal record certificate if required.
• In Flanders (for highly skilled), expect a decision within 15 days after submission as of May 2025.
• After approval, you apply for visa (category D) at Belgian diplomatic mission in your country (if necessary) and then register in Belgium upon arrival.

Step 6: Relocate & integrate

• After arrival in Belgium, register your residence at the municipal office in your commune (within specified days).
• Obtain your residence card.
• Open a Belgian bank account, register for social security and health insurance.
• If you plan to stay long-term, consider taking language courses in Dutch or French (depending on region) – this will enhance mobility and career prospects.
• Adapt to local workplace culture (multilingual, teamwork, respect for rules, punctuality).

Timeline & Checklist for 2025/2026

Timeline

Period	Action
6-9 months ahead	Decide target region (Flanders, Brussels, Wallonia), target sector, update CV, assess language skills.
4-6 months ahead	Research job openings, apply to roles with visa support, network with professionals in Belgium.
2-4 months ahead	Secure job offer, verify salary meets threshold, agree with employer on permit sponsorship.
1-2 months ahead	Prepare and submit Single Permit application, gather supporting documents, plan relocation.
Arrival & first 3 months	Relocate, register residence, integrate into job, organise banking, insurance, local networking.
During first year	Perform well in job, work on language skills, build local network and aim for permit renewal or mobility.

Document Checklist

• Valid passport with sufficient validity
• Signed employment contract with salary, duration, employer details
• Diploma(s) or certificate of higher education (bachelor’s or above for highly qualified route)
• Proof of salary threshold (payroll or contract)
• Criminal record certificate (if required)
• Medical/health insurance documentation (where required)
• Proof of accommodation (may be requested)
• Language proficiency (if required by employer)
• CV and cover letter tailored for Belgium
• Copies of IDs or translation of documents if necessary (English/French/Dutch)
• Contact information of employer and permit sponsor (who will file Single Permit)

Salary, benefits & living considerations

Salary thresholds & expectations

• For highly qualified workers in Flanders, the threshold for 2025 is approximately €46,632/year (or 80% of average salary, ~€37,305/year, if under age 30 or nurse) according to regional data.
• In Brussels/Wallonia, thresholds may be higher (e.g., ~€50,310/year) or date may vary by region and indexation.
• For standard employed worker route the salary may align with sector agreements but may not receive the “highly qualified” premium.

Cost of living & quality of life

• Belgium has a relatively high cost of living in cities like Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent. Accommodation, transport and taxed income should be factored in.
• Benefits: good public transport, healthcare, multilingual environment, strong social safety net, and central European connectivity.
• For relocation: consider housing costs (rent), commute, tax rates, health insurance contributions, and lifestyle.

Benefits for skilled workers

• Faster permit processing in Flanders (15 days) means quicker start date.
• Dependent family members: for some permit types the spouse may be allowed to work once the primary permit is approved.
• Possibility of EU Blue Card (for long-term mobility within EU) if conditions are met.

Common pitfalls & how to avoid them

Pitfall 1: Salary below threshold for the region

If your offered annual gross salary is below the required threshold for the “highly-qualified worker” route, your permit application may be rejected. For example, a Reddit poster pointed out being offered €33,600/year but threshold was higher.
Solution: Confirm with your employer that the job offer meets or exceeds the regional salary threshold before accepting.

Pitfall 2: Role not matching job category or region requirement

If the job title or role is not clearly in the “highly qualified” category (for that route), or if the permit is filed from a region with stricter criteria (Brussels vs Flanders), you may face challenges.
Solution: Verify the region’s threshold, check if your role qualifies as “highly-qualified” and ensure employer is in region where you apply.

Pitfall 3: Employer unwilling or inexperienced in non-EU permit sponsorship

Some employers may prefer EU/EEA nationals to avoid administrative burden.
Solution: During interview or offer negotiation ask explicitly: “Does this role support non-EU skilled worker permit application? Is the employer prepared to file the Single Permit?” Ensure the employer commits to sponsorship.

Pitfall 4: Language expectations underestimated

While many companies in Brussels (especially international) work in English, many roles still prefer Dutch (Flemish) or French proficiency, especially outside Brussels. One non-EU software engineer noted difficulty finding a job because Dutch language skill lacked.
Solution: If your target region is Flanders or Wallonia, begin learning basic Dutch/French to improve your appeal and integration.

Pitfall 5: Overlooking regional differences and processing times

Processing times and requirements differ across Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels. While Flanders has 15-day processing for highly qualified workers, other regions may still be slower or have stricter criteria.
Solution: Choose region wisely based on your profile, be aware of local rules, and ensure your employer knows which region they are applying under.

Integration & building your career in Belgium

Settling into life in Belgium

• After permit approval, you will register at your local municipality (gemeente/commune) within 8 working days typically.
• You will receive your residence card.
• Open a bank account, register for healthcare/social security, and get familiar with local language and culture.
• Engage in local networking, professional groups, and attend language courses (many cities offer subsidised language training).

Growing your career

• Deliver strong performance in your job: meet targets, adapt to workplace culture, learn languages, build local references.
• Consider obtaining further Belgian experience, internal promotion and possibly switching to EU Blue Card if your profile allows.
• Leverage Belgium’s central European location to build a pan-European career: travel ease, exposure to international organisations, multilingual teams.

Long-term pathways

• After some years of lawful residence (salary level maintained, integration, language) you may apply for long-term resident status in Belgium or EU long-term residence.
• If you hold EU Blue Card you can benefit from cross-border mobility in EU after certain period.
• The faster processing and smoother permit process for highly qualified workers means you could establish stable residency faster and build work history.

Real-world insights & testimonials

From forums and posts by people living or looking for jobs in Belgium:

“It’s hard to find a job in IT in Belgium as an immigrant… I have 5 years of experience in IT Software Development… Every time I speak with a recruiter, the response is often: ‘We need someone with Dutch work experience.’”
“I’m a 25-year-old non-EU software engineer just offered €2,800 gross/month (~€33,600/year) in Flanders, but threshold for permit was ~€39,129.60/year for under-30 highly qualified worker.”

These comments reflect real-world challenges: salary thresholds, language expectations, and competition in the job market. But they do not negate the opportunity—they underscore the necessity of a well-prepared application, strong employer support, language readiness, and salary negotiation.

“Apply Now” Action Plan for 2025/2026

Here’s your actionable checklist to get moving now:

1. Define your target region and sector (Flanders, Brussels, Wallonia; IT, engineering, healthcare etc).
2. Update your CV and professional profile for Belgium: highlight your skills, education, languages, indicate openness to relocation and permit sponsorship.
3. Search for jobs that clearly state non-EU nationals are considered, visa sponsorship available, salary at or above threshold.
4. Apply and tailor each cover letter: mention your readiness to relocate, your value add, your permit eligibility and availability. Use active voice: “I will bring expertise in …”, “I will support …”.
5. Negotiate job offer details: Ensure contract length (at least one year), salary meets threshold (for highly qualified route), region specified, employer commits to permit application.
6. Employer submits Single Permit application: prepare required documents (diploma, salary proof, contract), ensure timely submission.
7. Plan relocation logistics: once permit approved, arrange housing, travel, registration, banking, integrate.
8. On arrival: register at municipal office, receive residence card, open bank account, sign up for healthcare/social security, begin language courses.
9. Excel in your job: meet/ exceed expectations, build local network, learn language, aim for promotion or switch to EU Blue Card over time.
10. Monitor renewal and long-term status: ensure you meet permit renewal criteria, stay informed about policy changes, and explore long-term resident or EU mobility options.

Conclusion

Belgium offers a compelling opportunity for skilled professionals in 2025/2026 who seek to relocate, build a European career, and live in a well-connected, high-quality environment. With immigration reforms, faster processing times, and a clearly defined path for highly qualified workers, it’s an excellent moment to act.

To recap:

• Target employers and roles which support non-EU skilled worker permits.
• Ensure your education, experience and salary meet the “highly qualified” thresholds (especially if applying under that route).
• Use a strong job offer and an employer committed to permit sponsorship.
• Prepare your relocation and integration early: language, culture, registration.
• Apply now start your search, send your applications, engage with employers. Your career move could begin now and by 2025/2026 you could find yourself working in Belgium.