Belgium · Work permit · Open
Belgium EU Blue Card: Requirements and How to Apply
The Belgium EU Blue Card is for highly qualified non-EU workers with a Belgian job offer and a higher education degree. As with the single permit, each region sets its own salary threshold. In Brussels it is €4,748 gross a month, Flanders uses €63,586 a year and Wallonia €68,815 a year (€55,052 for juniors with less than three years of experience), according to KPMG's January 2026 summary.
The Blue Card makes later moves to other EU countries easier. Because the thresholds differ by region, confirm the current figures with the regional authority or a qualified advisor.
At a glance
Belgium EU Blue Card (Carte bleue europeenne / Europese blauwe kaart)
- Who it’s for
- Highly qualified non-EU workers with a Belgian job offer and a higher education degree
- Income requirement
- €4,748 a month
- How it’s calculated
- Brussels-Capital Region: EUR 4,748 gross a month. Flanders EUR 63,586 a year; Wallonia EUR 68,815 a year (EUR 55,052 for juniors with under three years of experience). From KPMG's January 2026 summary; confirm with the region.
- Initial stay
- Tied to the contract, usually up to a few years
- Renewal
- Yes
- Path to permanent residence
- Permanent residence after 5 years
- Family can join
- Yes
- Can work for local employers
- Yes
- Health insurance required
- No
- Processing time
- Varies by region
- Fees
- Commune fee for the residence card; check locally.
- Tax
- Same tax as other employees in Belgium.
Key requirements
- Higher education degree
- Salary at or above the regional Blue Card threshold
- Employment contract
- Employer applies to the regional authority
- D visa if needed and registration at your commune
Official and secondary sources · Last checked Oct 19, 2026. Rule changes. Rules change: confirm with the consulate or a qualified advisor. Not legal advice.
Who qualifies
You need a higher education degree, an employment contract and a salary at or above the regional Blue Card threshold. The rules are the same for Americans, Canadians, Brits and Australians.
Salary thresholds by region
- Brussels-Capital Region: €4,748 gross a month.
- Flanders: €63,586 gross a year.
- Wallonia: €68,815 gross a year, or €55,052 for juniors.
Documents you'll need
- A valid passport.
- Your employment contract.
- Your degree certificate.
- Other documents the region asks for.
Step-by-step application
- Your employer applies to the regional authority.
- Apply for a D visa at the Belgian consulate if you need one.
- Travel to Belgium and register at your commune.
- Collect your Blue Card residence card.
Costs and timeline
Processing times vary by region. Your commune charges a fee for the residence card.
Blue Card or single permit?
The single permit has lower salary thresholds. The Blue Card needs a degree and a higher salary but makes moving to another EU country easier later. Many people use whichever their salary allows.
Taxes once you're resident
You are taxed like other employees in Belgium, at progressive rates up to 50% plus a municipal surcharge. See our Belgium guide.
Family members
Your spouse or partner and children can join you through family reunification.
Permanent residence and citizenship
Permanent residence is possible after 5 years, and citizenship can be possible after 5 years with language and integration conditions.
| Route | Type | Status | Headline requirement | Initial stay | Path to PR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium EU Blue Card | Work permit | Open | €4,748/mo income | Tied to the contract, usually up to a few years | Permanent residence after 5 years |
| Belgium Professional Card (Self-Employed) | Freelance visa | Open | - | Up to 5 years; a first card is usually probationary for 2 y… | Permanent residence after 5 years |
| Belgium Single Permit (Highly Skilled Workers) | Work permit | Open | €3,703/mo income | Usually up to 3 years, tied to the job | Permanent residence after 5 years; citi… |
Thresholds and rules change often. Each route links to its official government page: confirm there before you apply. Not legal advice.
Other work permits & blue cards in Europe
| Route | Country | Type | Status | Headline requirement | Initial stay | Path to PR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria Red-White-Red Card | Austria | Work permit | Open | €3,465/mo income | 24 months, tied to the employer named in your application | Long-term resident - EU status after 5 … |
| Belgium EU Blue Card | Belgium | Work permit | Open | €4,748/mo income | Tied to the contract, usually up to a few years | Permanent residence after 5 years |
| Belgium Single Permit (Highly Skilled Workers) | Belgium | Work permit | Open | €3,703/mo income | Usually up to 3 years, tied to the job | Permanent residence after 5 years; citi… |
| Denmark Work Permit (Pay Limit Scheme and Positive List) | Denmark | Work permit | Open | €6,154/mo income | Normally 4 years if the job lasts 4 years or more; shorter … | 8 years of legal residence, or 4 years … |
| Finland EU Blue Card | Finland | Work permit | Open | - | Up to 2 years at a time | 4 to 6 years depending on route; Blue C… |
| Finland Residence Permit for Specialists | Finland | Work permit | Open | €3,937/mo income | Up to 2 years (or the length of the job if shorter) | 4 to 6 years depending on route (rules … |
| France Talent Passport (Passeport Talent) | France | Work permit | Open | €3,299/mo income | Card valid for the length of the employment contract, up to… | About 5 years of residence leads to lon… |
| Germany EU Blue Card | Germany | Work permit | Open | €4,225/mo income | Length of your employment contract plus 6 months, up to 4 y… | Settlement permit after 27 months with … |
| Germany Opportunity Card | Germany | Work permit | Open | €1,091/mo income | Up to 1 year | No direct route: switch to a work permi… |
| Ireland Critical Skills Employment Permit | Ireland | Work permit | Open | €3,409/mo income | Job offer of at least 2 years; the holder is expected to st… | After 60 months of residency permission… |
| Luxembourg EU Blue Card | Luxembourg | Work permit | Open | €5,471/mo income | 4 years, or the contract length plus 3 months if shorter | Long-term residence after 5 years of la… |
| Luxembourg Residence Permit for Salaried Workers | Luxembourg | Work permit | Open | - | Up to 1 year, for one profession in one sector | Long-term residence after 5 years |
| Netherlands Highly Skilled Migrant Permit | Netherlands | Work permit | Open | €5,942/mo income | As long as your contract, up to 5 years | Permanent residence after 5 years |
| Norway Skilled Worker Residence Permit | Norway | Work permit | Open | - | University-level positions normally up to 3 years (up to 1 … | You can apply for permanent residence a… |
| Poland Work Permit and Single Residence-and-Work Permit | Poland | Work permit | Changing | - | Typically up to 3 years, tied to the employer and role (not… | Long-term EU resident status generally … |
| Sweden Work Permit (Employees) | Sweden | Work permit | Changing | €3,071/mo income | Up to 2 years, not longer than the employment contract or p… | Permanent residence permits are general… |
| Switzerland B Work Permit (non-EU quotas) | Switzerland | Work permit | Open | - | Typically 1 year for non-EU/EFTA workers (per swissinfo; co… | C settlement permit after 10 years in g… |
Thresholds and rules change often. Each route links to its official government page: confirm there before you apply. Not legal advice.
Other ways to live in Belgium
Moving to Belgium: the complete guide →
Frequently asked questions
What is the Blue Card salary in Brussels?
€4,748 gross a month, based on KPMG's January 2026 summary of the regional thresholds. Confirm with the Brussels authorities.
Is the Belgian Blue Card salary the same everywhere?
No. Brussels, Flanders and Wallonia each set their own figures, and Wallonia has a lower figure for juniors.
Do I need a degree for a Belgian Blue Card?
Yes, a higher education degree is required.
Can I move to another EU country later?
The Blue Card makes moving to another EU country for highly qualified work easier, under that country's rules.
Sources and last checked · Oct 19, 2026
Notes: Secondary summary of official thresholds.
Figures are our research estimates from the sources above; rules and prices change. Not legal, tax or immigration advice. Spot something out of date? Tell us.