Do I need a visa to move to Belgium as an EU citizen?

No. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens have the right to live and work in Belgium without any visa or work permit. Simply register at your local commune within 3 months of arrival with your passport, proof of address, and proof of employment or self-sufficiency. The commune will issue your residence card and national number.

What is the Single Permit and how long does it take?

The Single Permit (permis unique) is the combined work and residence authorisation required for all non-EU nationals working in Belgium for more than 90 days. Your employer submits the application to the regional authority. Processing typically takes 4–6 months. The permit is valid for the duration of your contract, up to 3 years, and is renewable.

What is the BISR expat tax regime and do I qualify?

The Belgian Inbound Taxpayer Status (BISR) allows qualifying expats to receive 35% of their gross salary tax-free as an expense allowance, with no cap. You must earn at least €70,000/year gross, be recruited directly from abroad or seconded to Belgium, and not have been a Belgian tax resident in the 5 years prior. Apply within 3 months of starting work in Belgium. The regime lasts 5 years with a possible 3-year extension.

Can I bring my family to Belgium on a work permit?

Yes. Once your Single Permit or EU Blue Card is granted, your spouse and dependent children can apply for family reunification residence permits. Processing times vary but typically take 2–4 months. Family members receive the right to work in Belgium.

Does Belgium allow dual nationality?

Yes. Since 2008, Belgium has generally allowed dual nationality. You are not required to renounce your original citizenship when acquiring Belgian nationality, and Belgian citizens who acquire a foreign nationality do not automatically lose their Belgian citizenship. This makes Belgium one of the more flexible EU countries for expats seeking long-term settlement.

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🇧🇪 Belgium

Visa & Residency

No visa required

EU Freedom of Movement

4–6 months

Single Permit Processing

Combined work + residence; via regional authority

~€60,000+/yr

EU Blue Card Threshold

For highly qualified non-EU workers

€70,000/yr

BISR Salary Threshold (2026)

Reduced from €75k; 35% tax-free allowance

After 5 years

Permanent Residency

Continuous legal residence required

5 years

Path to Citizenship

Language + economic integration requirements

Last updated: March 2026

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Overview

EU citizens enjoy full freedom of movement to Belgium — no visa, no work permit, just register at your local commune within 3 months. For non-EU nationals, Belgium offers the Single Permit (combined work and residence authorisation), the EU Blue Card for highly skilled workers, and a professional card for self-employed individuals. The 2026 reforms have lowered the salary threshold for the BISR expat tax regime to €70,000, making Belgium more accessible to mid-career professionals. Processing is handled jointly by the regional employment authorities (Flanders, Wallonia, or Brussels) and the federal Immigration Office.

Key Takeaways

Register at your local commune within 3 months of arrival — bring passport, proof of address, and proof of employment or sufficient resources
Employer submits the application to the regional employment authority — Flanders (DWSE), Wallonia (SPW), or Brussels (Actiris/Brupartners)
Requires: recognised higher education degree (minimum 3 years), employment contract, and salary above the Blue Card threshold
Apply at the Belgian embassy or consulate in your country of residence before arrival
Permanent residency: after 5 years of continuous legal residence; no further work permit required

EU and EEA Citizens — Free Movement

EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens have the right to live and work in Belgium without any visa or work permit. You must register at your local commune (municipality) within 3 months of arrival. The commune issues a residence card (E/E+ card) and a national number — the Belgian equivalent of a social security number — which is essential for banking, healthcare, and tax.

Register at your local commune within 3 months of arrival — bring passport, proof of address, and proof of employment or sufficient resources
Receive a national number (numéro national / rijksregisternummer) — essential for all administrative, tax, and healthcare interactions
No salary threshold, no employer sponsorship needed — full right to work in any capacity
E card: registration certificate for EU citizens; E+ card: permanent residence after 5 years
Family members from non-EU countries can join under EU family reunification rules
After 5 years of continuous residence, apply for permanent residency (E+ card)

Single Permit — The Standard Non-EU Work Route

Since 2019, all non-EU nationals working in Belgium for more than 90 days must hold a Single Permit (permis unique / gecombineerde vergunning), which combines work authorisation and a residence permit into a single document. The application is submitted by the employer to the relevant regional authority (Flanders, Wallonia, or Brussels-Capital), which assesses the labour market need, then forwards it to the federal Immigration Office for residence authorisation.

Employer submits the application to the regional employment authority — Flanders (DWSE), Wallonia (SPW), or Brussels (Actiris/Brupartners)
Processing time: typically 4–6 months from submission; Flanders introduced a digital portal in January 2026
2026 salary thresholds have been raised 6–7% above 2025 levels — check exact figures with your employer or immigration lawyer
Valid for the duration of the employment contract, up to a maximum of 3 years; renewable
Family reunification: spouse and dependent children can apply for residence permits once the Single Permit is granted
Changing employers requires a new Single Permit application — there is no portability between employers

EU Blue Card — Highly Qualified Workers

The EU Blue Card is Belgium's route for highly qualified non-EU workers with a recognised higher education degree and a job offer above the salary threshold (approximately €60,000+/yr in 2026). The Blue Card offers advantages over the standard Single Permit, including easier intra-EU mobility and a faster path to long-term residence.

Requires: recognised higher education degree (minimum 3 years), employment contract, and salary above the Blue Card threshold
Salary threshold updated annually — approximately €60,000+ in 2026; check with Immigration Office for exact figure
Initial validity: up to 4 years; renewable; after 5 years of cumulative EU Blue Card residence (including in other EU states), eligible for EU long-term residence
Intra-EU mobility: after 12 months in Belgium, Blue Card holders can apply to move to another EU member state under simplified procedures
Family reunification: more favourable conditions than the standard Single Permit
Application process is similar to the Single Permit but with additional degree recognition requirements

Self-Employed Professional Card

Non-EU nationals who wish to work as self-employed professionals or start a business in Belgium must obtain a professional card (carte professionnelle / beroepskaart). The application is assessed on the economic benefit to Belgium, the viability of the business plan, and the applicant's qualifications. Processing is handled by the relevant regional authority.

Apply at the Belgian embassy or consulate in your country of residence before arrival
Assessed on: economic utility to Belgium, financial viability, professional qualifications, and compliance with Belgian regulations
Valid for up to 5 years; renewable
Must register with a social insurance fund (caisse d'assurance sociale) and pay quarterly social security contributions (~20.5% of net income)
VAT registration is mandatory for most self-employed activities — standard rate 21%
After 5 years, eligible for permanent residency under standard conditions

Permanent Residency and Belgian Citizenship

Permanent residency in Belgium is available after 5 years of continuous legal residence. Belgian citizenship follows after 5 years of legal residence combined with language proficiency and proof of economic and social integration. Belgium allows dual nationality in most cases, making it an attractive option for expats who wish to retain their original passport.

Permanent residency: after 5 years of continuous legal residence; no further work permit required
Citizenship: after 5 years of legal residence; requires proof of language proficiency (A2 in Dutch, French, or German), economic participation, and social integration
Dual nationality: Belgium generally allows dual citizenship — you do not need to renounce your original nationality
Citizenship ceremony: conducted at your local commune; straightforward administrative process after approval
Children born in Belgium to foreign parents do not automatically receive Belgian citizenship — but can acquire it through declaration after birth
Belgian citizenship grants full EU citizenship rights, including freedom to live and work anywhere in the EU/EEA

FAQs