Work in Belgium: Finding a job
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Find work in Belgium with this comprehensive guide: job websites and recruitment agencies in Belgium, jobs in demand in Belgium, Belgium's current job market and Belgian work permits.
Many foreigners easily find work in Belgium, and chances of finding jobs in Belgium's main cities, particularly jobs in Brussels, are increased by the extensive international business scene and European Union (EU) presence.
With many EU institutions, NATO and lots of other major international organisations and multi-national companies based in Brussels, there are a great many job opportunities for foreigners in Belgium. In a country with three official languages and many more used in its cosmopolitan capital of Brussels, you’ll give yourself the best chance of finding a job in Belgium if you have good language skills; you'll be competing with locals who are typically bilingual or multilingual, including a decent level of English proficiency. This guide explains where to find the best jobs in Belgium.
This guide to Belgian jobs includes:
- Jobs in Belgium: job websites, recruitment agencies and organisations
- The Belgian job market: unemployment, minimum wages and taxes
- Available jobs and shortage occupations in Belgium
- Belgian business culture and work week
- Belgian work visas and permits
- Language and qualifications required
- Belgian job applications: Belgian-style CVs and interview tips
The job market in Belgium
In December 2015, Belgium had an unemployment rate of 7.9 percent, only slightly lower than the EU average of 9 percent. However, youth unemployment (those under 25) stood at around 23 percent; in previous years, the largest increase, perhaps surprisingly, was among those with higher education level qualifications.
Most Belgians work in the service sector – legal, banking, media and tourism – with around a quarter working in industry including textiles, glass, engineering, car assembly and chemicals. The Belgian government also maintains a list of the main industries and employers in Belgium.
There are lots of big companies including Banque Nationale de Belgique, Proximus (telecoms, previously Belgacom), Ageas (insurance), Anheuser-Busch InBev (brewing), Bakaert (manufacturing, chemicals), Colruyt (food retail), Delhaize (food retail), D'Ieteren (automative), Elia (energy), KBC (banking/insurance), Solvay (chemicals), UBC (pharmaceutical) and Umicore (materials technology) – as well as many international companies with their base in Brussels (click on the links for each company's job page).
Belgium has one of the highest minimum wages in Europe – in 2015, Belgium's minimum wage started at around EUR 1,502 (for 21 years olds) to EUR 1,559 (22+ years) – although by law companies can make agreements with employees at any wage rate. Belgium, however, also has one of the highest tax rates in Europe, ranging on a sliding scale between 25 percent up to 50 percent depending on how much you earn. Read more in our guides to employment contracts in Belgium and taxes in Belgium.
Available jobs in Belgium
Most available jobs in Brussels are for highly skilled workers within the services sectors, such as finance, international institutions and businesses, estate agencies, education, and public health and social services. Despite Belgium's unemployment rate, the country reports an ongoing issue with skill shortages, particularly in IT and engineering.
Some shortage jobs include:
- engineers
- project managers
- technicians
- architects
- accountants
- nurses and midwives
- IT staff like computer system designers and analysts
- technical and commercial sales representatives
- teachers
- admin staff
- mechanics
- building trades, including electricians, plumbers, joiners and plasterers.
There are also more flexible procedures for shortages occupations; you can see more shortage occupations in the Brussels or the German-speaking region.
The EU and NATO also employ a large number of foreign workers.
Belgian management culture
The duality between the French- and Dutch-speaking regions is reflected in the Belgian workplace, which has traditionally followed the French hierarchical style where top managers make all the decisions. This, however, has been increasingly moving towards the more egalitarian Dutch approach of flatter and more open organisations, with more information flow and delegation. So while companies may still be fairly hierarchical, management authority rests more on competence and the aim is usually to reach a consensus or compromise – which can often be a protracted process. Belgians appreciate logic and reasoning and expect arguments to be backed up by clear facts and figures. They also value personal contact so not all business takes place by email or over the phone.
You may be offered a temporary contract at first as a trial period. You’ll most likely be working a 38-hour week with eight-hour days, around 20 days a year holidays plus 10 days public holidays. Employers divide yearly salaries into 13.92 months in order to provide extra income at different times of the year, giving an extra 92 percent in spring as ‘holiday pay’ and an extra month at the end of the year. You can read more in our guide to Belgian business culture.
Belgian work visas
All EU/EEA (European Economic Area – EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and Swiss nationals can work freely in Belgium without the need for a work permit, although if you’re planning to stay longer than three months you’ll need a registration certificate.
Citizens from elsewhere will generally need a work permit, and certain nationalities will also need a visa to enter the country, although exemptions apply.
Read more in Expatica's guide to Belgian work permits, or find out if you need an entry visa or any other permit in our guide to Belgian visas and permits.
Languages
There are three official languages in Belgium: Dutch is spoken in the Flemish community in the Flanders region to the north of Belgium; French is spoken in Wallonia to the south of Brussels; and German is spoken in the south east. Between 10–20 per cent of the country, especially those in the Brussels-Capital region, are bilingual and speak both French and Dutch. You would most likely be expected to speak the language of the particular region in which you’d be working. In some cases, mainly in international companies, English may be sufficient.
Qualifications
If you come from a country signed up to the Bologna Process you will have your educational qualifications recognised in Belgium. Everyone else should contact NARIC (Flanders) or the Education section of the Ministère de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles (Wallonia) to get foreign educational certificates of all levels recognised in Belgium. If you want to work in certain professions, you may have to have your professional qualifications, both your training and experience, officially recognised or regulated before you can work in Belgium. Check here to find out if you need to have your profession regulated and how to go about it.
Expatica jobs
On Expatica's jobs in Belgium pages, you'll find a constantly updated list of jobs in different sectors across the country.
EURES
If you’re from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you can search for a job in Belgium through EURES, the European Job Mobility Portal. This is maintained by the European Commission and designed to aid freedom of movement within the European Economic Area (EEA). As well as looking for work, you can upload your CV and get advice on the legal and administrative issues involved in working in Belgium. EURES also holds job fairs and events in various location throughout the year.
Public employment services
Each region of Belgium has its own public employment office where you can browse job vacancies, upload your CV, search for training courses, or get advice on your job search from a consultant online or at a local office:
- Actiris covers the Brussels-Capital region
- VDAB covers Flanders
- Le Forem covers the Walloon region
- ADG is for the German community in Belgium.
The EU and NATO
The European Union employs more than 40,000 people in various institutions, many of which are in Brussels. You do have to be a member of an EU country and usually also fluent in at least two or more languages. For information about working for the EU, current job vacancies both permanent and temporary, and to make online applications, see the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO). Also have a look at EuroBrussels for jobs in EU organisations based in Brussels.
NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) also employs a lot of foreigners but you must come from a NATO country to apply.
Check out vacancies at other international agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) based in Belgium in the press in your home country or on the agency websites. You can find the names of all the NGOs in Belgium in the WANGO directory.
Job websites in Belgium
- Academic Jobs EU - academic and research jobs
- BrusselsJobs – business, finance, admin and IT jobs for multilingual workers in Brussels and beyond.
- English Language Jobs in Brussels.
- Heidrick & Struggles – executive search company.
- Jobat
- Jobs in Brussels – and the rest of Belgium, aimed at English speakers, with jobs in business, legal, IT, finance, accounting, HR and international consultancy.
- Learn4good
- LinkedIn Belgium
- Michael Page Belgium
- Monster
- OnlySalesJob
- Randstad – specialising in project-based or freelance temporary positions.
- StepStone
- Vacature
- Xpatjobs
Recruitment agencies
Sign on with as many recruitment agencies as possible. They tend to specialise in different sectors. Look them up in the Belgian Golden Pages (in English). They should be recognised by the trade federation Federgon. You’ll also find most of the usual European and international employment agencies – such as Adecco, Hudson and Manpower Belgium – in Brussels and other major cities.
Teaching English
You can apply to become an English-language assistant in a state school or college through the British Council if you have an A-level, B1 or equivalent in French. If you have a TEFL/TESOL qualification you can look for a job with a private language school or business at TELF.com, ESL Base or i-to-i.
Newspapers
You can find job ads in the weekend editions of the main nationals newspapers:
- in Dutch – De Morgen, De Standaard, Het Nieuwsblad, De Tijd, Het Laatste Nieuws.
- in French – La Dernière Heure, Le Soir, La Libre Belgique, La Meuse, L’Echo.
- in German – Grenzecho.
These newspapers also have their own dedicated online jobs pages: Le Soir, La Libre, Politico and Grenzecho.
Networking
Belgium, and especially Brussels, is a fantastic place to network with so many international companies and expats already working there. As a result, many positions get filled through word-of-mouth without the need for advertising. There are trade associations, business groups and professional bodies, and networking organisations.
Here are a few of them:
- American Chamber of Commerce in Belgium
- Belgian Business Association – for gay professionals
- British Chamber of Commerce in Belgium
- European Professionals Network – based in Brussels
- Professional Women International (PWI) – a Brussels-based multi-national forum for women in business.
Get in touch with other expats working in similar fields through Expatica’s expat forums or meet-up groups.
Make the first move – speculative job applications
Speculative job applications are an acceptable way to find work in Belgium. Find companies by searching online at:
- the Belgian Golden Pages (in English)
- business directories like Kompass and Europages
- the Federation of the Belgian Chambers of Commerce which has links to registers of all Belgian companies
- Voka, Flander’s Chamber of Commerce representing more than 18,000 companies in Flanders.
You can also look up international companies with offices in Belgium. When you submit speculative applications, make sure you find out which language to use and to whom you should address it.
Traineeships, interships and volunteering in Belgium
The EU offers traineeships for university graduates via the European Commission Traineeships Office (Bureau de Stages), otherwise internships or summer placements can be arranged by AIESEC (for students and recent graduates) or IAESTE (for students in science, engineering and applied arts). Interships can also be found at Europlacement and Intern Abroad.
For those aged between 17 and 30, volunteer programs are arranged by the European Voluntary Service (EVS), where you work abroad for up to 12 months in exchange for board, food, insurance and a small allowance. Concordia is another organisastion for volunteer opportunities.
Start your own business
Foreigners can also consider setting up a business or as a freelancer in Belgium.
Once you have found a job, you’ll need to know how to put together a Belgian-style CV and cover letter to make sure your application gets the consideration it deserves. To find out how to prepare your CV and covering letter, and well as what to expect in a Belgian job interview, see our guide to applying for a job in Belgium.
More information
- Guide to Belgian work permits
- Moving to Belgium: Guide to visas and permits
- Applying for a job in Belgium
- Business culture in Belgium
Expatica
Find a job in Belgium using Expatica's jobs search.
Updated 2016.
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28 Comments To This Article
Wendy posted:
on 1st November 2016, 03:34:56 - Reply
I just read your message here ,very encouraging ,thanks .you are right ,we should not to let other people decide what we should be and what we can do ?have a goal and find the way to reach it . I am happy for you to settle down now in the new country .
Solomon25 posted:
on 13th October 2016, 13:53:56 - Reply
Am Solomon Duah Manu and a male of 25 years old from Ghana and a Professional Graphic Designer with 4years experience searching for job.
RobertoSimancas posted:
on 10th October 2016, 16:35:55 - Reply
Hello,I'm a Computer Engineer with more than 5 years of experience. I'm from Venezuela and I want to know if there is a good chance to find a job in Belgium. I know Spanish and English. Thank you
[Moderator's note: You can also post questions on our Ask the Expert free service.]
RobertoSimancas posted:
on 10th October 2016, 16:40:25 - Reply
Hello, I'm a Computer Engineer with more than 5 years of experience. I'm from Venezuela and I wanted to know if there's a chance for me to find a job in Belgium.
[Moderator's note: You can also post questions on our Ask the Expert free service.]
Ats posted:
on 25th September 2016, 10:53:36 - Reply
Pls send me your resume to ats_g@yahoo.com. I will contact you after I have recieved it.
RAJEEV posted:
on 3rd September 2016, 14:47:41 - Reply
Dear sir, I am Passionate brewer currently working in africa. i belong from India. I have good brewing skills and i am engineering graduate. i am looking for a brewer job in Belgium. please assist me and give your valuable information. i can spent money for visa fees. thank you for you time.
[Moderator's note: You can also post questions on our Ask the Expert free service.]
sheela posted:
on 30th August 2016, 07:04:29 - Reply
please if you can help me out. I need a job so desperately.
I can be contacted via email at Sheelakhan46@yahoo.com
please help me
Sheela posted:
on 30th August 2016, 06:56:41 - Reply
I have applied to many hospital but I got rejected more than accepted.
I hope you can help me out.
you can write to me at sheelakhan46@yahoo.com
Thank you in advance
Francine posted:
on 14th December 2015, 11:24:46 - Reply
Nesta posted:
on 15th October 2015, 21:22:04 - Reply
People say what they do not know. Have been out of job for so many years and see how frustrating that could be? Of course, while we are aware of the job(s) availability being a problem, it won't be out of place to say here that, the racial bias in Belgium is in my own words more than high. I would advise anyone; go for a more technical profession that sells & then try your luck. Of a truth, there isn't much hope for most foreigners out here even after acquiring the high qualifications most Belgians cannot even attain. We are in the 21st century, sadly Belgium is still in the 14th century. Shame!!! I wish Belgium give more opportunities to students after studies. Who suffers brain drain? Belgium of course. You allow people to study and then make them to work in the factory (fabric) or go away. For me, i suggest, get the best of education from Belgium and go to a more open society like Canada, USA & Britain so you could practice what you studied at school. In all, don't be deceived, you must know someone big up there or pack your bags & go somewhere else.
Madz posted:
on 27th April 2014, 19:23:43 - Reply
Cristy posted:
on 7th March 2014, 19:34:14 - Reply
AH posted:
on 18th February 2013, 01:06:33 - Reply
Lazy people always complains about everything and they are unable to do nothing all their life.
This world new good people!
Non-Eu resident posted:
on 6th February 2013, 01:53:58 - Reply
chris posted:
on 28th December 2012, 23:57:04 - Reply
greenfish posted:
on 12th November 2012, 01:14:38 - Reply
wynesam posted:
on 6th November 2012, 15:47:21 - Reply
Arianne Pollet-Brannen posted:
on 23rd October 2012, 00:01:28 - Reply
you will get a job no matter what colour your skin is or what religion you have. If anyone dares to deny you a job because of the aforementioned they would be in big doodoo! There is lots of room here for people with a good education as well as tradespeople.
a smart non-EU resident posted:
on 13th September 2012, 12:49:33 - Reply
It is very interesting to read all the above opinions, experiences and opportunities. i have been living in Europe for 3 years now as a student. I have studied and research on EU politics in various areas of food, security, employment, foreign policy, immigration ...etc.
What i have observed that EU is open for various kinds of immigration but ... 1) a person cannot get a working visa from a non EU country unless you are an exceptional Scientist or Technologist 2) EU is wide open to non EU students in the recent years ... but the job market is very conservative both social and legal reasons play a role. 3) Officially any kind of discrimination for any citizen is intolerable ... and unofficially companies or organizations only want EU citizens due to various burdens imposed on them (in case of non EU) such as employment laws (lengthy process of proving non availability of EU national for particular job), Tax (too many conditions), social pressure from certain groups ... etc.
Practically from an Non EU resident view its like this "do your research and help develop us. we pay you for that and then you move on ...." Thats the deal.
I have seen non EU citizen get a job here especially in Germany ... and i have also seen Non EU citizens or Easter EU Nationals or EU nationals with foreign origins face problem in securing a job... especially in the areas where politics is active.
On of my research subjects an expert in regional and political integration in EU made a specific comment indicating some thing like this ... EU is very advanced in education, economics, technology and living conditions ... but there are a few groups or secs of population where the social and ideological views of a society are most conservative than many other underdeveloped countries.
My point is its changing phase in EU and all of Europe .... It has its gains and consequences.
BelgianGirl posted:
on 25th August 2012, 19:45:48 - Reply
I am 19 born and raised in Belgium, my mom has a uni diploma aswell and no job either... Been searching for 20years atleast aswell... In Belgium there's just a shortage of jobs; you either know some important people (that my mom doesn't know) or you choose a very very needed job, otherwise there are no jobs out there, no matter what race you are... Althought gender has got an effect: more females than males are unemployed and a lot of employers will choose a young male over an older female. Reason I'm studying medecine (always needed) ... Belgium just has too many people for such a small area... I wish it wasn't like that, I really want my bf to find a job here but it won't be easy... It's not easy for natives and it's not easy for others either but belgians are not racist. If you dont know anyone you really just cant expect to get any kind of job... belgium is too small to need many people
Alfia posted:
on 18th July 2012, 12:39:34 - Reply
Thank you for your inspiring words! Sounded like a speech in some training course, but that is what I need now. If you want, you can!
I am not looking for a job in Belgium yet, me and my husband plan to move there a bit later, but I have similar situation now as many other people who complain now here in this blog. I am looking for a job in Spain, it is quite difficult, and i feel sometimes like giving up.
But you are right, in spite of all the discrimination and feelings that you never will get a job, you just need to struggle and have clear goals.
Also my admiration to you as a woman who is managing her own business! It is also in one of my plans!
Good luck to everyone!
Yve posted:
on 22nd June 2012, 00:54:30 - Reply
dear Ana, I am married with a third country national. Let me explain to you how things work in Brussels. I work everyday in the government field, I know people in the business world...it is not about the marks since my wife has been sending applications for even internships and marks are not a requirement within the application; It is not about the university you have studied ; it is not what u know it is WHO you know. I prefer to leave to her home country at least there people appreciate their effort to improve their educational level.
Ana Barroso posted:
on 27th May 2012, 23:46:34 - Reply
Hello I was just searching in the internet for information about British Expats in Belgium as my family is there and I am thinking of moving there. I am Portuguese and I live in UK for 8 years. But after reading all the coments for the editor about his comments I was preplexed and decided, No I have to speak. What most people are saying IS NOT TRUE AT ALL. If there is one thing Europe, Belgium more treasures and gives total priority IS SKILLS AND EDUCATION. I am European and I know that the highest Education score,grade, the more prestigious Education school/University you have had the better, that is how it works in Europe. The best ones with the best highest grades and only the best and knonw University are picked for the best companies, THIS IS A FACT. IT HAPPENED TO MY BROTHER. Is has been like this circle for centuries and part of the Educational system and that is why so many kids and adutls fight for grades and Universities like dogs and study until they drop dead, really applying themselves, something that doesn`t happen here or outside of Europe and that is why other people do not understand this way of being and do not understand either why they are more mature, go getters, self motivated, with a can attitude, with a real picture of goals anf life in their heads and ready to assume real life, more independent, freedom of voice and choice, smart, ready to take on life challenges, konwing what they want , who they are and where to go, what road, with hardship and work to pay colleges we became stronger, knowledgeable, self suficient and learn from one little breadcrump to make one big meal. AND THAT MY FRIENDS AND READERS IS THE DIFFERENCE, LIKE OR NOT OF SUCCESS AND WORKING TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS NO MATTER, TO FIGHT FOR THEIR CORNER AND IN TOTAL CONFIDENCE. My brother is in Belgium, Ghent for 7 years and went from a excellent independent University - Biotechnology in Portugal as a sandwich course degree as a program and he did work his butt off for the best grades and worked in bad conditions for his projects until one day after he finished his degree his efforts and hard work was noticed by a known company and man that offered him a job after his work placement, he took it immediately knowing that the job was less and not even for the degree specialist that he wanted but he said yes, was Money and Experience, a chance TO LEARN THE LANGUAGE, FLEMISH, IMPORTANT PEOPLE AND NEW WORLDS AND DOORS. He worked his ass off, under terrible weather conditions, working outside with 10 degrees below zero with deadlines and motivating himself and all the other man, just like the army and he did the Belgium Royal Marina compound , managed it, worked on it and helped to design it for a couple of Euros but the reward was excellent references, for the first job, paid him Flemish lessons and controls the language totally like Dutch, opened doors to the most pretigious companies and after a couple of years ans specializations he is now managing, liaisoning with the best Eco Energy Companies in the world, Nuclear Technologies, Oil Companies Consultations Advice and back then he many times walked home on foot, many days could afford to much food and lived with his school mates to save on rent. Today he lives in one of the biggest apartments across the Ghent river luxurious part that he ownes and flying intenationally and people pay him for advise. SO PEOPLE AS YOU CAN SEE ... IF YOU WANT SOMETHING SO BAD YOU APPLY YOURSELF ? FIRST BE POSITIVE MIND AND VISUALIZE YOUR GOALS, WHAT YOU WANT AND WHAT YOU WANT YOUR LIFE TO BE THEN YOU BE 100% CREATIVE TO CREATE THOSE CHANCES AND DOORS EVEN PICKING UP BAD JOBS, IS NOT I TELL YOU BY SITTING ON YOUR BACKSIDES DAY AND NIGHT AND PROCRASTINATION. JUST LIKE THE AMERICANS, YOU WANT IT , GO GET IT, WORK FOR IT, DREAM IT, YOU DO NOT HAVE IT, YOU CREATE IT, USE INOVATIVE WAYS AND IDEAS TO FUND YOUR DREAM EVEN PUT YOURSELF SLEEPING ACROSS YOUR TARGET COMPANY, BUSNESS IF YOU HAVE TOO, CREATING FRESH APPROACHES; Me I survive in UK for a long time by creating the chance given by the Government to create my own job, Be a BusinessWoman and happily and by doing what I love.
Milyv posted:
on 27th April 2012, 22:23:58 - Reply
I feel giving up, but I am married with a EU citizen, so I guess I will have to change my name in order to get a job
Wouter posted:
on 9th January 2012, 16:03:00 - Reply
OFICIALLY, being native cannot be a job requirement in Belgium, but if a foreigner is rejected for a job, it's impossible to proof that being a foreigner was the reason to be rejected, even though it's often obvious. I used to know a guy, born here in Flanders from Arab parents. He also had an Arab name. He spoke Dutch perfectly, was entirely familiar with Belgian habits and stuff, he felt Belgian. He had a very hard time finding a job. For years kept sending application letters, until he was sick and tired of it and changed his name to Bart (a typically Flemmish name). After that, he found a job in less than a month.
Y posted:
on 4th January 2012, 10:59:11 - Reply
Dear ALL, I was so disappointed that i finally google if there is a problem with me , my master, my skill or something else and happen to read the whole article and comment above. I will confirm that these people discussing above have 100% reason. Fortunately i have some freelancing projects to be able to sustain. I am in brussel nearly 6 months and still looking for a job in php here. Some friends who have contacts have already secured a job. Lets hope to see some changes...
Ceca posted:
on 14th December 2011, 00:58:17 - Reply
Ceca posted:
on 14th December 2011, 00:41:44 - Reply