What is the Belgium Single Permit?
The Single Permit (gecombineerde vergunning / permis unique) combines work authorisation and residence into one document for non-EU/EEA nationals working in Belgium for more than 90 days.
The employer files a single application with the competent regional employment authority — Actiris in Brussels, VDAB in Flanders or FOREM in Wallonia — which handles the work component, while the federal Immigration Office (DVZ/OE) handles residence in parallel. Belgium's federal structure means salary thresholds, shortage-occupation lists and processing speeds vary significantly by region.
Highly qualified workers earning above the regional threshold — along with EU Blue Card applicants, intra-corporate transferees, shortage-occupation roles and researchers — are exempt from the labour market test, which speeds up processing. The permit leads to permanent residence after 5 years.
Note: Information on this page is for guidance only and does not constitute immigration advice. Requirements change — verify current figures at the official government source before applying.
Do you qualify?
The core requirement is a qualifying job offer meeting the salary threshold for the region where you will work. The employer files the application; whether a labour market test applies depends on your category.
You need a job offer from a Belgian employer for work lasting more than 90 days, at or above the salary threshold for the region where you will be employed (Brussels, Flanders or Wallonia). Highly qualified workers above the threshold, EU Blue Card applicants, intra-corporate transferees, shortage-occupation roles and researchers are exempt from the labour market test. Standard roles below the highly skilled threshold require the employer to first pass a labour market test.
The 2026 salary requirements
Belgium sets thresholds by region, not nationally — the figure that applies depends on where you will work. The highly skilled thresholds below apply from 1 March 2026 (gross). Brussels holds its 2025 monthly figure pending new Statbel data; Flanders and Wallonia raised theirs for 2026.
EU Blue Card thresholds are higher and also regional: Brussels €56,976/yr, Flanders €63,586/yr, Wallonia €68,815/yr. Executive roles need more still (Wallonia €88,790/yr; Brussels €6,647.20/mo). How the regions differ: Brussels publishes monthly thresholds and enforces them strictly (a small shortfall causes refusal); Flanders processes fastest (a 15–30 day fast-lane); Wallonia indexes annual thresholds to inflation. Tax note: Belgian income tax is among Europe's highest (25–50%) plus ~13% employee social security, though a special inbound-taxpayer regime can reduce the burden — consult a Belgian tax advisor.
What you need to apply
The employer files the Single Permit application with the competent regional authority. You do not file separately — both work and residence components run through the one application.
If you do not have any of the documents below, read the FAQs section for further guidance.
Application timeline
From the employer filing to the permit being issued typically takes 2–4 months, with a legal maximum of 4 months from a complete application. The region and your exemption status drive the speed.
Most common delay: incomplete applications. Belgian authorities are strict — a missing or improperly legalised document renders the application inadmissible and restarts the 4-month clock. Ensure every document is complete, legalised and translated before filing.
The employer submits to the competent regional authority through the regional portal. The application must be complete — incomplete filings are declared inadmissible and reset the clock.
Handled by: your employer
The regional authority assesses the work component (including a labour market test if applicable); the federal Immigration Office (DVZ/OE) assesses residence in parallel. Flanders may decide in 15–30 days on the fast-lane; Brussels typically 6–8 weeks; Wallonia 4–6 weeks.
Handled by: the region and the Immigration Office
On approval, if you are outside Belgium the decision is sent to the Belgian embassy in your country, where you apply for a type D visa to travel.
Handled by: you
Travel to Belgium and register with your local commune (gemeente/commune) within 8 days of arrival. Collect your Single Permit card and begin work.
Handled by: you
Frequently asked questions
Initially the Single Permit is tied to the specific employer and region, so changing employers generally requires a new application. After certain renewals you may receive a B card (unlimited stay) with full labour-market access, which lets you change employers freely. In the early years, plan any job change carefully with the new employer, as it usually needs a fresh application.
Yes. Family reunification is available for your spouse and dependent children once the Single Permit is issued, and your spouse can work in Belgium. Family members apply for their own residence permits linked to yours, and must show adequate income and housing.
Belgium is a federal state where economic migration is a regional competency. Brussels, Flanders and Wallonia each set their own salary thresholds, shortage-occupation lists and procedures. The region is determined by where your workplace is located, not where you live — so the same job can have different requirements depending on which side of a regional border the office sits.
Flanders currently offers the fastest processing, with a fast-lane approving correctly submitted highly skilled applications in 15–30 days. Wallonia typically takes 4–6 weeks. Brussels is the most congested at 6–8 weeks and monitors salary compliance most strictly. If your employer has offices in multiple regions, the choice of workplace can affect your timeline.
The federal immigration fee is €152 (2026), and Flanders adds a regional processing fee via the Uniek Loket. The employer typically bears the application fees. Your personal costs are document legalisation, translation, the type D visa (if abroad) and the residence card — typically €300–€600 candidate-side.
Both are handled through the Single Permit system, but the EU Blue Card has a higher salary threshold (Brussels €56,976, Flanders €63,586, Wallonia €68,815 per year) and grants EU-wide mobility — the right to move to another EU country after 12–18 months. The standard highly skilled permit has lower thresholds but no built-in EU mobility. If your salary clears the Blue Card threshold and you may want to move within the EU, the Blue Card is the stronger choice.
You cannot apply for the Single Permit without a job offer from a Belgian employer. Every job listed on Workbeyond is from employers who sponsor international talent to work in Belgium. Use the filters to narrow by profession, city and seniority level to find roles that match your criteria.
Find visa-sponsored jobs in Belgium
Every job listed on Workbeyond is from an employer who sponsors international workers. Because the Single Permit is employer-filed and tied to a region, confirming a sponsoring employer — and which region you'll work in — is the first step. Use the filters to narrow by profession, city and seniority level.
Planning a move? See the Belgium destination guide.