Summary
As a citizen of a country outside the European Economic Area (European Union, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland), you may come and work in Wallonia under certain conditions, which must be applied for and authorised by the company wishing to hire you.
This right is granted to certain categories of workers. For each of these categories, there are conditions and a specific procedure.
Access to the Belgian labour market is strictly controlled and guarantees a specific regulatory framework for the foreign workers (who will enjoy the same rights as Belgian workers) but also considers the needs of the labour market in Belgium and Wallonia. These needs are regularly evaluated.
The arrival of foreign workers differs from other options for coming to Belgium such as asylum or family reunification.
To come and work in Belgium as an employee, you must be authorised to reside in Belgium AND be authorised to work in Belgium.
In detail
People from countries in the European Economic Area (European Union, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland) do not need to apply for a work permit.
For other people, there are certain cases where exemptions apply: exemptions related to:
- work
- residence
See all information on exemptions here.
Please note that despite the exemption, there are certain procedures that must be completed, as is the case for all workers regardless of their nationality. In all other cases, a work permit must be obtained prior to start workig.
Wallonia only issues work permits. It doesn’t issue any national numbers, residence permits, or orders to leave the territory.
As a worker subject to employment authorisation, you enjoy the same rights as a Belgian worker.
You are paid a statutory minimum salary linked to specific scales.
There are different kinds of permit that offer specific rights and which also concern different categories of workers. Click here to find out what authorisation you need.
Your employer fills the permit application for you. However, as a worker, you must still complete part of the procedure. The employer provides information on the position that you will hold.
In principle, except for certain categories, you should stay in your country of residence during the employment authorisation application.
If you reside abroad, once your permit has been granted:
- You receive a visa through the diplomatic post to cross the borders.
- Once in Belgium:
- You can collect your permit from the municipal administration if it is a work permit for more than 90 days (single permit)
- Your employer will collect your permit from the municipal administration if it is a permit for less than 90 days (Type B employment authorisation). Then you can obtain a visa from the diplomatic post and a stay in Belgium.
It is possible to apply for a work permit in Belgium if:
- You are already legally resident in Belgium (as a student or highly-qualified person for example)
- You already have a work permit in another region (Brussels-Capital Region, Flemish Region or German-speaking Community)
Please note: You must use the administration's document templates for the application to be admissible.