Belgium · Work permit · Open
Belgium Single Permit for Highly Skilled Workers
The single permit is Belgium's combined work and residence permit for non-EU employees. Your employer applies to the regional authority where you will work: Brussels, Flanders or Wallonia. Each region sets its own salary threshold for highly skilled workers. In Brussels it is €3,703.44 gross a month in 2026, while Flanders uses €48,912 a year and Wallonia €53,220 a year, according to a KPMG summary of the regional rules.
The permit is tied to your job and can be renewed. Because the figures and procedures differ by region, check with the regional employment authority or a qualified advisor before you start.
At a glance
Belgium Single Permit (Highly Skilled Workers) (Permis unique / Gecombineerde vergunning)
- Who it’s for
- Non-EU workers with a Belgian job offer; the region where you work (Brussels, Flanders or Wallonia) sets the rules
- Income requirement
- €3,703 a month
- How it’s calculated
- Brussels-Capital Region threshold for highly skilled workers: EUR 3,703.44 gross a month (unchanged from 2025). Flanders uses EUR 48,912 a year and Wallonia EUR 53,220 a year. Figures from a KPMG summary of the regional rules (January 2026); confirm with the regional employment authority.
- Initial stay
- Usually up to 3 years, tied to the job
- Renewal
- Yes
- Path to permanent residence
- Permanent residence after 5 years; citizenship after 5 years with language and integration conditions
- Family can join
- Yes
- Can work for local employers
- Yes
- Health insurance required
- No
- Processing time
- Varies by region; the employer applies first
- Fees
- A residence card fee is charged by your commune; check with the region and the Immigration Office.
- Tax
- Salaries are taxed at progressive rates up to 50% plus a municipal surcharge; ask about the inbound taxpayer regime.
Key requirements
- Employer applies to the regional authority
- Salary at or above the regional threshold for your category
- Relevant qualifications for highly skilled roles
- Long-stay D visa from the Belgian consulate if needed
- Registration at your commune after arrival
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
Non-EU workers with a Belgian job offer. Highly skilled workers need a salary at or above their region's threshold and relevant qualifications; other categories, such as shortage occupations, have their own rules. Americans, Canadians, Brits and Australians all follow the same process.
Salary thresholds by region
- Brussels-Capital Region: €3,703.44 gross a month.
- Flanders: €48,912 gross a year.
- Wallonia: €53,220 gross a year.
These figures come from KPMG's January 2026 summary of the regional thresholds. Confirm the current amounts with the region.
Documents you'll need
- A valid passport.
- Your employment contract.
- Your degree or proof of qualifications.
- Documents the region asks for, such as a medical certificate or criminal record extract.
Step-by-step application
- Your employer applies to the regional authority.
- After approval, apply for a long-stay D visa at the Belgian consulate if you need one.
- Travel to Belgium and register at your commune within days.
- The commune issues your residence card after an address check.
Costs and timeline
Processing times vary by region. The commune charges a fee for the residence card.
Taxes once you're resident
Salaries are taxed at progressive rates up to 50%, plus a municipal surcharge. Ask about the inbound taxpayer regime. See our Belgium guide.
Family members
Your spouse or partner and children can usually join you through family reunification.
Permanent residence and citizenship
Permanent residence is possible after 5 years. Citizenship can also be possible after 5 years with language and integration conditions.
Alternatives
Higher earners with a degree may prefer the Belgium EU Blue Card. To work for yourself, see the professional card. In nearby countries, compare the Luxembourg EU Blue Card and the Netherlands highly skilled migrant permit.
| 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 a single permit in Belgium?
It is a combined work and residence permit for non-EU employees. Your employer applies to the region where you will work, and you then get a residence card from your commune.
What salary do you need for a Belgian single permit?
For highly skilled workers in Brussels, €3,703.44 gross a month in 2026. Flanders and Wallonia use €48,912 and €53,220 a year, based on KPMG's summary of the regional rules.
Can I change employers?
The permit is tied to your job, so a new employer usually needs a new application. Check with the region.
Can my family come with me?
Usually yes, through family reunification. Your partner and children apply for their own residence permits.
Sources and last checked · Oct 19, 2026
Notes: Thresholds from KPMG's summary of the regional authorities' figures; the official regional pages were not read this session.
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.