Browse Topics
Tools
Editor's choice

Doing business in Belgium

A guide to doing gaffe-free business here.

Belgium country factbook

Includes geography, people, government, economy and transnational issues.

Student accommodation in Belgium

Find an affordable roof over her head.

50 years on, Asterix still holding out

Heroic Gauls celebrate their half century.

The not-so-secret recipe for Belgian frites

Kimberley uncovers the sacred rituals of Frite Almighty.

How to repatriate successfully

Tips for managing a successful relocation back home.

Internaxx Stock Market
Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2119.3 0.50
DAX 5252.45 1.50
IBEX 30 10726.8 0.59
CAC 40 3377.59 1.40
FTSE 100 4564.5 0.79
AEX 276.85 0.95
DJIA 9096.72 -0.13
Nasdaq 1975.51 0.39
FTSE MIB 20341.67 1.65
TSX Composite 10570.54 -1.74
ASX 4148.9 -0.60
Hang seng 20135.5 -2.37
Straits Times 0.00
ISEQ 20 442.48 0.27
You are here: Home Moving to Getting Started Expert tips: Belgian immigration rules

Getting Started

archive
Print Email Comment Subscribe
Enlarge font Decrease font Text size

01/11/2009Expert tips: Belgian immigration rules

Expatica immigration expert Matthias Lommer offers five tips on how to negotiate the complex Belgian system.

  • Work permits
Belgian work permits are generally issued for a specific job for only one employer. When changing jobs, a new work permit will need to be applied for.
The work permit type B, for highly qualified employees or executives, needs to be applied for by the employer or the mandatory of the employer (law firm) and is valid for a (renewable) period of one year. The individual employee can in most cases not apply for the work permit him/herself.

  • Professional cards
Work permits do not suit all kind of professional activities in Belgium. When executing a self-employed activity, e.g. as a director of a Belgian-based company or as a consultant, a professional card will be required. This professional card is the work permit for self-employed persons. The professional card needs to be applied for by the self-employed person himself with the Belgian consular authorities abroad. It is generally issued for a renewable period of 2 years.
Situations exist whereby an expat would need both a work permit and a professional card.

  • Visa & Residency
A common misunderstanding is that the work permit is the only migration document one needs in order to come over to Belgium. This is not correct. In order to obtain a legal residence in Belgium, one needs:
- A work permit (or professional card);
- A residence visa (exemption from this obligation exist) to be applied for with the Belgian embassy of the place of residence abroad;
- A Belgian residence card to be applied for with the local communal authorities.

  • Unlimited stay
A lot of confusion exists as to the rules to obtain an unlimited stay in Belgium. Such an unlimited stay exempts foreign employees and self-employed person from the obligation to be in possession of a Belgian work permit or professional card for executing the professional activity in Belgium. The reason therefore is that the rules are not laid down in legislation, but are a result of an administrative practice within the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The administrative practice may change over time…
According to the present practice, an unlimited stay is in any case granted to foreigners who have been working for at least 5 years on the basis of a valid work permit or professional card.

  • Free movement within the EU
Have your Belgian News delivered straight to your inbox - sign up for our e-mail newsletter now!

Print Email Comment Subscribe

General rating: Not rated yet

Rate article:    Add my rating

1 reaction to this article

Tim Adex posted: 03-08-2009 | 12:22 PM

Please I need some information about the possibilities of acquiring an unlimited stay by virtue of owning a property. What does the Belgian immigration law says about this?
Thank you.

Reply
Moving to essentials
Moving to forums
participate in the forums
Moving to expert Q&A
ask your question
Discussion Forums

Family

English school in Ghent?, by nicholatendam

Networking

Community Liaison Professional moving to Ghent, by WWWcoach

Expat Get-Togethers

Brussels, by chalks

Expat Get-Togethers

expats in Leuven - Tremelo - Heist op den Berg area?, by Kim1965

Housing

Is it good time to buy a house in Belgium now?, by jez cunningham

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Looking for work in Belgium

Looking for work in Belgium

This handy guide from Expertise in Labour Mobility includes how to write a CV, application procedure, interview dos and don'ts, Belgian management culture.

Practical, easy-to-use, free and... in English

Practical, easy-to-use, free and... in English

Belgium’s first alternative directory assistance services - available through the shortcode 14-14 - can now be accessed on the internet.

Finding a rental home in Belgium

Finding a rental home in Belgium

Moving to Belgium presents a host of challenges to expats, not least of all finding the right home.

Learning to cope with life abroad

Learning to cope with life abroad

The psychological effects of global mobility can be physically painful.