←Belgium⇄

Belgium

Belgium · Europe (EU) · updated 05.09.2026

Belgium is an EU country with a single labour migration procedure (single permit / EU Blue Card), but the criteria are split regionally between Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels. Citizenship and permanent residence come after 5 years; dual citizenship is allowed. The main natural hazard is river flooding (Wallonia, July 2021).

Some descriptions for this country are still Russian only: 90% translated. Numbers, prices and timelines are complete.

Entry

Entry rules depend on citizenship. Choose a passport to see the requirement for that one.

Work and visas

Salary in IT
$ 35 278 – $ 77 384
Median
$ 51 210
Changing employer
Regulated at regional level; with a single permit, changing employer generally requires a new permit or notification of the regional authorities.

Visa types: Single Permit · EU Blue Card

Employers: Odoo, Collibra, Proximus, Deloitte Belgium, Sopra Steria

Belgium splits its bases both by passport and by level of government at once. For citizens of the Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland and their families, residence is handled by the COMMUNE under directive 2004/38/EC; for third countries it is handled by the Immigration Office (dofi.ibz.be). A WORK permit is issued not by the federation but by the region, and there are four such owners: Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels and the German-speaking Community (ostbelgienlive.be); their salary thresholds differ and are indexed differently — Flanders and Wallonia count per year, Brussels per month. The single permit application is filed by the employer through the single desk international.socialsecurity.be, from where the case goes to the region concerned. The federal processing contribution (redevance) is set by article 1/1 of the law of 15.12.1980 and articles 1/1–1/2/1 of the royal decree of 08.10.1981, is paid for EVERY person and is revised on 1 January each year; the rates are collected on a single page https://dofi.ibz.be/en/themes/faq/contribution-fee. One family pays a single contribution only if the spouses or registered cohabitants filed their applications at the same time and on one and the same legal basis. Without proof of full payment the application is declared inadmissible and is not examined; on a refusal or a withdrawal the contribution is not refunded, while an overpayment made by mistake is refunded. Exempt from the contribution are minors and recognised stateless persons, as well as scholarship holders, persons resettled under the UNHCR programme, indigent persons, refugees and their family members, beneficiaries of the 1963 association agreement with Turkey and the families of Belgians who have exercised the right of free movement. The processing contribution is not the same as the consular visa fee: the latter is charged by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at filing, and citizens of Israel, Japan and San Marino are exempt from it, as are citizens of Morocco and Turkey when applying under article 9. The income threshold for family reunification was rewritten by the law of 18 July 2025, and until 18 August 2027 the old and the new rules apply at the same time: the old one — 120 % of the social integration benefit, the new one — 110 % of the guaranteed average minimum monthly income plus 10 % for each additional dependant. The Immigration Office itself prints these amounts differently on neighbouring live pages: on https://dofi.ibz.be/en/stable-regular-and-adequate-means-subsistence the new rule gives 2 456.97 € net per month (indexation of 1 July 2026), while on the page about reunification with a single permit holder it gives 2 408.79 €, that is 110 % of the FORMER minimum. On the same page the old rule is quoted as the amount of 2 173.88 €, although a note on that very page states that from 1 September 2026 it equals 2 217.47 €. Decision periods are set by law and differ by basis: four months for the single permit, 90 days for a trainee, a volunteer, an intra-corporate transfer and the orientation year, 60 days for a researcher, 90 days for a seasonal worker and 60 for a repeat seasonal worker. And for the bases under article 9 of the law the authority states outright that there is no legal decision deadline at all — this sentence stands on the pages for study at a private higher education institution and at a secondary school, and for the other routes under the same article (person of independent means, marriage, au pair, working holiday, professional card) no period is named on their own pages either. The waiting estimates published by the regions are the time until examination BEGINS, not the time to a decision.

Long-term visas and residence permits

Single permit for residence and work

Work
renewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 173processing 120 days
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. The line of 152 € is assigned to an application for a single permit (art. 61/25-1 of the law of 15.12.1980).
official source · read 2026-09-05

Single permit — highly qualified worker (Flanders)

Work
renewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 55 662 a yearfee $ 173processing 120 days
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. The line of 152 € is assigned to an application for a single permit (art. 61/25-1 of the law of 15.12.1980). In Flanders, on top of the federal contribution, a regional fee of 180 € is payable from 1 September 2026 for every application for a single permit, including renewal: it is imposed by Flanders, indexed on 1 January, non-refundable and printed on its own page https://www.vlaanderen.be/werken/een-buitenlander-in-vlaanderen-tewerkstellen/retributie-voor-gecombineerde-vergunning — it is not on the federal tariff.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Single permit — highly qualified worker (Wallonia)

Work
renewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 60 564 a yearfee $ 173processing 120 days
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. The line of 152 € is assigned to an application for a single permit (art. 61/25-1 of the law of 15.12.1980).
official source · read 2026-09-05

Single permit — highly qualified worker (Brussels)

Work
renewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 4 215 a monthfee $ 173processing 120 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-05

EU Blue Card (Flanders)

Work
renewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 72 361 a yearfee $ 173processing 120 days
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. There is no separate line for the blue card in the tariff: 152 € is assigned to an application for a single permit and to an application of a highly qualified worker (art. 61/26), whereas the Immigration Office itself, on neighbouring pages, places the blue card under art. 61/27. In Flanders, on top of the federal contribution, a regional fee of 180 € is payable from 1 September 2026 for every application for a single permit, including renewal: it is imposed by Flanders, indexed on 1 January, non-refundable and printed on its own page https://www.vlaanderen.be/werken/een-buitenlander-in-vlaanderen-tewerkstellen/retributie-voor-gecombineerde-vergunning — it is not on the federal tariff.
official source · read 2026-09-05

EU Blue Card (Wallonia)

Work
renewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 78 311 a yearfee $ 173processing 120 days
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. There is no separate line for the blue card in the tariff: 152 € is assigned to an application for a single permit and to an application of a highly qualified worker (art. 61/26), whereas the Immigration Office itself, on neighbouring pages, places the blue card under art. 61/27.
official source · read 2026-09-05

EU Blue Card (Brussels)

Work
renewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 5 403 a monthfee $ 173processing 120 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Single permit — executive (Flanders)

Work
renewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 89 059 a yearfee $ 173processing 120 days
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. The line of 152 € is assigned to an application for a single permit (art. 61/25-1 of the law of 15.12.1980). In Flanders, on top of the federal contribution, a regional fee of 180 € is payable from 1 September 2026 for every application for a single permit, including renewal: it is imposed by Flanders, indexed on 1 January, non-refundable and printed on its own page https://www.vlaanderen.be/werken/een-buitenlander-in-vlaanderen-tewerkstellen/retributie-voor-gecombineerde-vergunning — it is not on the federal tariff.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Single permit — executive (Wallonia)

Work
renewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 101 043 a yearfee $ 173processing 120 days
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. The line of 152 € is assigned to an application for a single permit (art. 61/25-1 of the law of 15.12.1980).
official source · read 2026-09-05

Single permit — executive (Brussels)

Work
renewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 7 565 a monthfee $ 173processing 120 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Single permit — medium-skilled occupation (Flanders)

Work
renewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 173processing 120 days
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. The line of 152 € is assigned to an application for a single permit (art. 61/25-1 of the law of 15.12.1980). In Flanders, on top of the federal contribution, a regional fee of 180 € is payable from 1 September 2026 for every application for a single permit, including renewal: it is imposed by Flanders, indexed on 1 January, non-refundable and printed on its own page https://www.vlaanderen.be/werken/een-buitenlander-in-vlaanderen-tewerkstellen/retributie-voor-gecombineerde-vergunning — it is not on the federal tariff.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Single permit — professional sportsperson (Flanders)

Work
renewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 118 542 a yearfee $ 173processing 120 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Single permit — professional sportsperson (Wallonia)

Work
renewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 60 564 a yearfee $ 173processing 120 days
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. The line of 152 € is assigned to an application for a single permit (art. 61/25-1 of the law of 15.12.1980).
official source · read 2026-09-05

Single permit — arts worker (Wallonia)

Work
renewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 50 523 a yearfee $ 173processing 120 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Single permit — performing artist (Brussels)

Work
renewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 3 512 a monthfee $ 173processing 120 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Single permit — postdoctoral researcher (Flanders)

Work
term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 173processing 120 days
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. The line of 152 € is assigned to an application for a single permit (art. 61/25-1 of the law of 15.12.1980). In Flanders, on top of the federal contribution, a regional fee of 180 € is payable from 1 September 2026 for every application for a single permit, including renewal: it is imposed by Flanders, indexed on 1 January, non-refundable and printed on its own page https://www.vlaanderen.be/werken/een-buitenlander-in-vlaanderen-tewerkstellen/retributie-voor-gecombineerde-vergunning — it is not on the federal tariff.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Single permit — specialised technician (Flanders)

Work
renewablefamily allowedfee $ 173processing 120 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Intra-corporate transferee (Flanders)

Work
term 36 mofamily allowedincome from $ 55 662 a yearfee $ 173processing 90 days
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. The line of 152 € is assigned to an application for a stay of more than 90 days by way of an intra-corporate transfer (art. 61/34 of the law of 15.12.1980). In Flanders, on top of the federal contribution, a regional fee of 180 € is payable from 1 September 2026 for every application for a single permit, including renewal: it is imposed by Flanders, indexed on 1 January, non-refundable and printed on its own page https://www.vlaanderen.be/werken/een-buitenlander-in-vlaanderen-tewerkstellen/retributie-voor-gecombineerde-vergunning — it is not on the federal tariff.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Intra-corporate transferee (Wallonia)

Work
term 36 mofamily allowedincome from $ 78 311 a yearfee $ 173processing 90 days
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. The line of 152 € is assigned to an application for a stay of more than 90 days by way of an intra-corporate transfer (art. 61/34 of the law of 15.12.1980).
official source · read 2026-09-05

Intra-corporate transferee (Brussels)

Work
term 36 mofamily allowedincome from $ 6 214 a monthfee $ 173processing 90 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Long-term mobility of an intra-corporate transferee

Work
family allowedfee $ 173processing 90 days
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. The line of 152 € is assigned to an application for long-term mobility of an intra-corporate transferee (art. 61/45 of the law of 15.12.1980).
official source · read 2026-09-05

Single permit of unlimited duration (Flanders)

Work
counts toward permanent residencefee $ 173processing 120 days
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. The line of 152 € is assigned to an application for a single permit (art. 61/25-1 of the law of 15.12.1980). In Flanders, on top of the federal contribution, a regional fee of 180 € is payable from 1 September 2026 for every application for a single permit, including renewal: it is imposed by Flanders, indexed on 1 January, non-refundable and printed on its own page https://www.vlaanderen.be/werken/een-buitenlander-in-vlaanderen-tewerkstellen/retributie-voor-gecombineerde-vergunning — it is not on the federal tariff.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Residence permit for a researcher under a hosting agreement

Work
renewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 173processing 60 days
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. The line of 152 € is assigned to the application of a researcher under a hosting agreement (art. 61/11 of the law of 15.12.1980).
official source · read 2026-09-05

Long-term mobility for researchers

Work
renewablefamily allowedfee $ 173processing 60 days
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. There is no separate line for researcher mobility in the tariff; 152 € is assigned to the application of a researcher under a hosting agreement (art. 61/11), to which this mobility belongs.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Short-term mobility for researchers

Work
family allowedprocessing time not published
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. There is no line for short-term researcher mobility in the tariff, and this is consistent with the procedure: the contribution is assigned to an application for a D visa or for a stay, whereas here a notification is filed.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Search year after higher studies

Job seeking
term 12 monot renewablecounts toward permanent residenceprocessing 90 days
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. There is no separate line in the tariff for the year after STUDY, and the list of documents on that page contains no proof of payment either — unlike the year after research, where it stands as the first item.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Orientation year after completion of research

Job seeking
term 12 monot renewablecounts toward permanent residencefee $ 173processing 90 days
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. The line of 152 € is assigned to an application for a stay after the completion of research in order to look for work or to start a business (art. 61/13/12 of the law of 15.12.1980).
official source · read 2026-09-05

Seasonal worker

Work
term 5 modoes not count toward permanent residenceapplicant onlyfee $ 173processing 60–90 days
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. The line of 152 € is assigned to an application for a stay of more than 90 days as a seasonal worker (art. 61/29-4 of the law of 15.12.1980).
official source · read 2026-09-05

Authorisation for a trainee

Other
term 6 morenewableprocessing 90 days
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. There is no separate line for a trainee in the tariff, even though the list of documents on the page of this ground begins with proof of payment: the line of 242 € is assigned to an application under art. 9 through a consulate, whereas the trainee's permit is issued under art. 61/13/19.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Authorisation for a volunteer

Other
term 12 monot renewableprocessing 90 days
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. There is no separate line for a volunteer in the tariff, even though the list of documents on the page of this ground begins with proof of payment: the line of 242 € is assigned to an application under art. 9 through a consulate, whereas the volunteer's permit is issued under art. 61/13/28.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Au pair

Other
term 12 monot renewabledoes not count toward permanent residenceapplicant onlyfee $ 275processing time not published
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. The line of 242 € is assigned to an application for a stay of more than 90 days filed at a Belgian consulate under art. 9 of the law of 15.12.1980; its list expressly includes study at a private higher education institution, au pair, the professional card, humanitarian grounds, a visa for marriage or cohabitation, a working holiday and a person of independent means.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Working Holiday Programme

Working holiday
term 12 monot renewabledoes not count toward permanent residenceapplicant onlyfee $ 275processing time not published
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
For citizens of certain countries only.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Professional card for self-employed activity

Startup
renewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 275processing time not published
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. The line of 242 € is assigned to an application for a stay of more than 90 days filed at a Belgian consulate under art. 9 of the law of 15.12.1980; its list expressly includes study at a private higher education institution, au pair, the professional card, humanitarian grounds, a visa for marriage or cohabitation, a working holiday and a person of independent means. The regional charge for the card itself is levied on top of it: in Brussels it is 140 € when filing through a business counter or a consulate and 90 € for every year of validity when the card is issued, while amendment or replacement of the card costs 140 € on filing and is issued free of charge — so it is printed at https://economie-emploi.brussels/carte-professionnelle.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Frontier workers

Other
term 12 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residenceprocessing time not published
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. There is no line for a cross-border worker in the tariff: the cross-border worker's document (annex 64) certifies the right of entry and exit, not the stay for which the contribution is charged.
For citizens of certain countries only.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Missionary (national entry B52)

Other
renewableprocessing time not published
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. A minister of religion has no line of its own in the tariff; when a D visa is applied for at a consulate under art. 9 the general line of 242 € applies, but a minister of religion is not named in its list.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Annuitant (national entry B17)

Retirement
term 12 morenewablefamily allowedfee $ 275processing time not published
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. The line of 242 € is assigned to an application for a stay of more than 90 days filed at a Belgian consulate under art. 9 of the law of 15.12.1980; its list expressly includes study at a private higher education institution, au pair, the professional card, humanitarian grounds, a visa for marriage or cohabitation, a working holiday and a person of independent means.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Residence permit for a student at a recognised (public) higher education institution

Study
renewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 1 209 a monthfee $ 286processing time not published
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. The line of 251 € is separate and the most expensive after the in-country application: it is assigned to a stay of more than 90 days as a student of a public higher education institution (art. 60 of the law of 15.12.1980). A scholarship holder of a body listed in art. 1/1 of the royal decree of 08.10.1981 is exempt from the contribution.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Residence permit for training at a non-recognised (private) higher education institution

Study
renewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 275processing time not published
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. The line of 242 € is assigned to an application for a stay of more than 90 days filed at a Belgian consulate under art. 9 of the law of 15.12.1980; its list expressly includes study at a private higher education institution, au pair, the professional card, humanitarian grounds, a visa for marriage or cohabitation, a working holiday and a person of independent means.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Residence permit for secondary education

Study
renewablefee $ 275processing time not published
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Family reunification with a third-country national

Family
renewablecounts toward permanent residenceincome from $ 2 796 a monthfee $ 248processing 270 days
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. The line of 218 € is assigned to applications for family reunification: with a Belgian (art. 40ter), with a foreign national allowed to stay for an unlimited period (art. 10, § 1) or for a limited period (art. 10bis, § 2), and with a student (art. 10bis, § 1). Exemption: family members of a Belgian who has exercised the right of free movement pay nothing at all, as do family members of a beneficiary of international protection or of a stateless person and beneficiaries of the 1963 association agreement with Turkey.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Family reunification with a single permit holder

Family
renewablecounts toward permanent residenceincome from $ 2 796 a monthfee $ 248processing 270 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
Citizens of certain countries are excluded.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Family reunification with an EU Blue Card holder

Family
renewablecounts toward permanent residenceincome from $ 2 796 a monthfee $ 248processing 120 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Family reunification with a Belgian national

Family
renewablecounts toward permanent residencefee $ 248processing 180 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Family reunification with an EU citizen

Family
term 60 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefee $ 0,00processing 180 days
Fee: An established zero: the page of this ground expressly states that a family member of a citizen of the Union within the meaning of art. 40bis of the law of 15.12.1980 pays no visa fee, whereas an “other family member” within the meaning of art. 47/2 does pay unless exempt under art. 16 of the Visa Code. The federal contribution for examination does not apply to this ground at all: in the tariff at https://dofi.ibz.be/en/themes/faq/contribution-fee the application of a family member of a citizen of the Union is not named, and family members of a Belgian who has exercised the right of free movement are singled out there by a separate exemption.
official source · read 2026-09-05

D visa for the purpose of marriage or legal cohabitation in Belgium

Family
term 6 monot renewablefee $ 275processing time not published
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. The line of 242 € is assigned to an application for a stay of more than 90 days filed at a Belgian consulate under art. 9 of the law of 15.12.1980; its list expressly includes study at a private higher education institution, au pair, the professional card, humanitarian grounds, a visa for marriage or cohabitation, a working holiday and a person of independent means.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Return visa during a family reunification procedure

Family
fee $ 0,00processing 15 days
Fee: No contribution is charged for this application: the page for the basis states outright that a foreigner applying for a D visa in order to continue a family reunification procedure pays no charge but must confirm that the procedure has been started at the commune.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Registration certificate for an EU citizen

Other
renewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedprocessing 180 days
Fee: The federal contribution for examination does not apply to citizens of the Union: it is charged for a D visa and for the third-country applications listed in the tariff. The declaration of presence for a short visit is issued by the commune free of charge; the particular sum on this page is an administrative fine of 200 € which the Immigration Office may impose for failure to appear in time or for the absence of a valid identity document at the external border.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Permanent residence for an EU citizen (EU+ card)

Other
renewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedprocessing 150 days
Fee: The federal contribution for examination does not apply to citizens of the Union: it is charged for a D visa and for the third-country applications listed in the tariff. The particular sum on this page is an administrative fine of 200 € for failure to appear in time, and not a charge for examination.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Acquisition of EU long-term resident status in Belgium

Other
renewablecounts toward permanent residenceincome from $ 1 181 a monthprocessing 150 days
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. Acquiring the status in Belgium is not named in the tariff: the line of 202 € relates to a long-term resident who obtained the status in ANOTHER state of the Union (art. 61/7) and to the return permit under art. 19, § 2.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Residence permit for an EU long-term resident from another member state

Other
renewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 1 181 a monthfee $ 230processing 120 days
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. The line of 202 € is assigned to a stay of more than 90 days by the holder of a valid “long-term resident — EU” residence permit issued by another state of the Union (art. 61/7); the same line covers the return permit after an absence of more than a year and the restoration of long-term resident status (art. 19, § 2).
official source · read 2026-09-05

Authorisation to return after an absence of more than one year

Other
fee $ 230processing time not published
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. The line of 202 € is assigned to an application for a return permit by a holder of a valid Belgian residence or settlement permit who has been absent from the Kingdom for more than a year (art. 19, § 2), and to an application for the restoration of long-term resident status. Refugees and their family members, as well as beneficiaries of the 1963 association agreement with Turkey, are exempt from it.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Authorisation of stay for exceptional circumstances (Article 9bis)

Other
renewablefee $ 429processing time not published
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. The line of 377 € — the most expensive in the tariff — is assigned to an application for a stay of more than 90 days filed in Belgium itself on exceptional circumstances (art. 9bis). Without proof of payment in full the application is declared inadmissible and is not examined.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Authorisation of stay on medical grounds (Article 9ter)

Other
processing time not published
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. An application under art. 9ter is not named in the tariff: the line of 377 € relates to an in-country application under art. 9bis, and the page of the medical ground does not require proof of payment among the mandatory attachments.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Temporary protection

Other
term 12 morenewablefamily allowedprocessing time not published
Fee: The tariff of federal contributions in force from 1 January 2026. Temporary protection is not named in the tariff: the application is filed in person at the registration centre at rue Belliard 68 in Brussels, and not as a D visa or as an application for stay on the grounds listed in the tariff.
For citizens of certain countries only.
official source · read 2026-09-05

Programme terms change, and the final decision rests with the consulate or the country migration service. The data is collected from official sources on the date shown and is not legal advice.

Residence and citizenship

Permanent residence after
5 years
Citizenship after
5 years
Language
One of the national languages (Dutch, French or German); the level depends on the naturalisation route chosen
Dual citizenship
allowed

Absence limits: No more than 6 months in a row OR no more than 1/5 of the whole required residence period

5 years of continuous lawful residence plus proof of social and economic integration and knowledge of the language (a declaration of acquisition of citizenship, a fee of ~€1000). Alternative timescales are possible: 10 years of residence with the language requirement alone; for spouses of Belgians (3+ years of marriage), 5 years with the integration requirement.

Documents

Document certification
apostille

The country is party to the 1961 Hague Convention: a degree or certificate is authenticated with a single apostille in the country that issued it.

Family

Partner

Right to work
yes

Officially confirmed (Immigration Office): a holder of a residence permit for more than 90 days may reunite with a spouse or partner 'under certain conditions'. The exact income thresholds and timeframes are not published on the official page in the public domain.

Children

Can be brought
yes

Officially confirmed: minor children may join the holder of a residence permit “under certain conditions”. The details (age limit, school attendance) are not published on the pages examined.

Parents

No official confirmation could be found of the conditions for reuniting a labour migrant with their parents.

Partner's parents

Matters: In a number of countries only a biological child can sponsor a parent, in which case the spouse files the application.

Pets

Limit
5
Quarantine
no
Antibody titre test
needed
Preparation
~4 months
Cost per animal
$ 341 – $ 910

EU rules (non-commercial movement of pets, Regulation (EU) 576/2013): a limit of 5 animals, no quarantine where the requirements are met, and a rabies antibody titre test is compulsory for entry from countries outside the approved list (Russia included). Imports into Belgium are overseen by the FASFC/AFSCA.

Safety

Situation
calm

A complex federal system (regions, language communities); in 2010–2011 forming a government took a record 589 days. Despite the political fragmentation and Flemish separatism, the country is politically stable and safe.

Crime: The homicide rate (1.08 per 100k, UNODC 2021) is comparable with the Western European average. Data on theft, car theft and street safety has not been collected — the source (Numbeo) was unavailable.

Natural hazards

Earthquakeslow

Belgium sits on the stable continental plate of Western Europe. No significant modern seismic activity has been recorded.

Wildfireslow

A temperate, damp climate lowers the wildfire risk.

Floodsmedium

KEY RISK: in July 2021 the catastrophic flood in Wallonia (Liège province, the towns of Pepinster and Verviers) killed 39 people, one of the largest natural disasters in the country's modern history. Separately, the coastal polders are protected from the North Sea by dykes.

Hurricaneslow

There are no tropical hurricanes; occasional storms from the North Sea or the Atlantic.

Droughtslow
Extreme heatlow

Heatwaves happen, but they are brief for a country with a temperate climate.

Volcanoesno

No.

Tsunamislow

The North Sea coast, minimal risk.

The main confirmed risk is river flooding (the July 2021 disaster in Wallonia, 39 dead). Earthquakes, hurricanes and droughts are not a significant threat.

Climate

3J
5F
7M
9A
13M
17J
19J
19A
16S
12O
7N
5D
Type
Temperate maritime

Mild winters, warm summers. Rain is spread through the year and it is mostly overcast.

Quality of life

Life expectancy
82.3 years
Migration
inflow

Healthcare: Compulsory health insurance through a sickness fund (mutualité/ziekenfonds), administered by RIZIV/INAMI.

Flows: A steady net inflow every year over 2015–2023 (World Bank, SM.POP.NETM). In 2023: net migration of +41,679 against a population of 11.78 million.

Cities

Brussels

tech hub
1 249 597 residents
$ 1 366
1 bedroom, per month

The capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the EU. Headquarters of international organisations and EU institutions and a large labour market, but the widest income gap in the country.

2 bedrooms $ 1 7643 bedrooms $ 2 504utilities $ 262ticket $ 2,91monthly pass $ 63,5
To buy, per m²: centre $ 5 037 · suburbs $ 4 002

The country's highest GDP per capita sits alongside the lowest disposable household income (structural inequality). Data on risks in specific districts has not been collected.

+The EU capital — plenty of international vacancies
+A multilingual environment (French/Dutch/English)
+The country's largest labour market
−High income inequality
−Political and administrative complexity (several tiers of government)

Antwerp

tech hub
565 039 residents
$ 1 081
1 bedroom, per month

Belgium's largest municipality, one of Europe's largest ports (second after Rotterdam) and a world centre of the diamond trade.

2 bedrooms $ 1 3663 bedrooms $ 1 935utilities $ 199ticket $ 3,49monthly pass $ 56,4
To buy, per m²: centre $ 4 523 · suburbs $ 3 139

Data on specific hazards has not been collected.

+A large port and logistics sector, plenty of jobs
+A Flemish technology and trade centre
+A metro area of over 1.2 million people
−A Flemish-speaking environment, where Dutch is useful outside international companies

Ghent

270 473 residents
$ 967
1 bedroom, per month

Belgium's second most populous municipality. A university city (Ghent University), a port and a biotech cluster.

2 bedrooms $ 1 3093 bedrooms $ 1 764utilities $ 216ticket $ 3,43monthly pass $ 58,9
To buy, per m²: centre $ 5 856 · suburbs $ 3 140

Data on specific hazards has not been collected.

+A university environment
+Biotech and research companies (Ablynx, Innogenetics and others)
+Belgium's third largest port
−Fewer international IT vacancies than Brussels or Antwerp

Charleroi

202 421 residents
$ 683
1 bedroom, per month

A Walloon industrial city, historically a coal and steel centre, now diversified (logistics, biotech, Brussels South Charleroi airport).

2 bedrooms $ 9103 bedrooms $ 1 024utilities $ 205ticket $ 3,02monthly pass $ 43,1
To buy, per m²: centre $ 2 992 · suburbs $ 2 974

A post-industrial region living with the aftermath of heavy industry's decline. Detailed safety data has not been collected.

+A lower cost of living than in Brussels
+Growing sectors: logistics, biotech, aviation
−The aftermath of deindustrialisation
−A smaller market for tech vacancies

Liège

198 102 residents
$ 740
1 bedroom, per month

A major Walloon economic centre. Historically a centre of metallurgy, today aerospace, IT and biotech; the headquarters of FN Herstal.

2 bedrooms $ 1 0243 bedrooms $ 1 366utilities $ 267ticket $ 3,01monthly pass $ 42,2
To buy, per m²: centre $ 2 879 · suburbs $ 2 115

Hit by the catastrophic flood of July 2021 (the region). Detailed data on city-level risks has not been collected.

+A diversified economy (aerospace, IT, biotech)
+A metropolitan area of ~750,000 people
+A lower cost of living than in Brussels
−Risk of river flooding (the July 2021 event)
−Fewer international IT jobs

Grocery basket

Bread, 500 g
$ 2,63
Milk, 1 l
$ 1,28
Eggs, 12
$ 4,02
Chicken breast, 1 kg
$ 12,1
Cheese, 1 kg
$ 15,0
Rice, 1 kg
$ 2,29
Potatoes, 1 kg
$ 2,35
Apples, 1 kg
$ 2,92
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 l
$ 2,93
Total
$ 45,5

The same set for every country, so the comparison is fair.

Cost of living across the country

Rent, 1 bedroom
$ 847 a month
Rent, 3 bedrooms
$ 1 479 a month
Utility bills
$ 211 a month
Home internet
$ 51,6 a month
Monthly transport pass
$ 55,2 a month
Single transport ticket
$ 3,10
Petrol, litre
$ 1,96
Cold medicine
$ 11,4 for a week

Country averages. City prices, where collected, are shown above and are more precise.

Indicators

Life expectancy
82,3 years2024
Homicides
1,1 per 100k2021 · data lags behind
Theft
1 658 per 100k2024
Burglary
407,1 per 100k2024
Robbery
116,3 per 100k2024
Vehicle and vehicle-part theft
94,4 per 100k2024
Road deaths
4,6 per 100k2021
Unemployment
5,9 %2025
Unemployment, ages 15–24
17,8 %2025
Inequality (Gini)
26,82023
Health spending per person
$ 5 931 a year
Air pollution, PM2.5
8,5 µg/m³2023
Access to clean water
100 %2024
Internet, fixed line
143,3 Mbit/s2026
Internet, mobile
143,1 Mbit/s2026

Governance

Political stability
above average · 0,1
Control of corruption
high · 1,5
Rule of law
high · 1,3
Government effectiveness
high · 1,2

World Bank estimates on a −2.5 to +2.5 scale, higher is better.

Natural hazards

Earthquakes
2,9 out of 10
River floods
6,2 out of 10
Coastal floods
7,7 out of 10
Tropical cyclones
0 out of 10
Droughts
1,3 out of 10
Tsunamis
0 out of 10

Policy towards newcomers

Migrant integration, overall score
69 out of 100 · 2019
Family reunification
48 out of 100 · 2019
Permanent residence
75 out of 100 · 2019
Access to citizenship
65 out of 100 · 2019
Access to the labour market
56 out of 100 · 2019

Measures how favourable the law is towards newcomers, not one person's chances of getting a visa.

Each value carries the year it refers to. “Data lags behind” means this country's figure was collected noticeably earlier than the rest. Natural hazards use one 0–10 scale and are meant to be compared against each other.

Pros and cons

+The single permit is a standardised procedure introduced in 2019
+Dual citizenship is allowed
+5 years to permanent residence and to citizenship — moderate by EU standards
+A multilingual international environment, Brussels especially
+Pets get through under the standard EU rules, within the limit of 5 animals
−Labour migration is regulated separately by the three regions — procedures and criteria differ in Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels
−The terms for reuniting with your own or a partner's parents are not confirmed by official sources
−The main natural hazard is river flooding (39 dead in Wallonia in July 2021)
−City-level grocery and rent data has not been collected — the sources (Numbeo, Statbel) were unavailable

Compare with other countries in the region

Austria · Bulgaria · Croatia · Cyprus · Czechia · Denmark · Estonia · Finland · France · Germany · Greece · Hungary · Ireland · Italy · Latvia · Lithuania · Luxembourg · Malta · Netherlands · Poland · Portugal · Romania · Slovakia · Slovenia · Spain · Sweden

Other countries in the region: Europe (EU)

Austria · Bulgaria · Croatia · Cyprus · Czechia · Denmark · Estonia · Finland · France · Germany · Greece · Hungary · Ireland · Italy · Latvia · Lithuania · Luxembourg · Malta · Netherlands · Poland · Portugal · Romania · Slovakia · Slovenia · Spain · Sweden

All countries by region

Official sources

Immigration Office (Immigratiedienst / Office des étrangers)
Federal migration service: visas, residence, family reunification
↗
SPF Emploi / FOD Werkgelegenheid
The single permit has been in force since 1 January 2019. Issuing and criteria are handled by the regions: Flanders (vlaanderen.be), Wallonia (emploi.wallonie.be), Brussels (be.brussels)
↗
SPF Justice — citizenship
Acquisition by declaration from the age of 18
↗
Immoweb
Belgium's largest site for renting and buying property
↗
Immoweb
↗
2ememain / 2dehands
The main listings site, cars included
↗
SPF Mobilité — exchanging foreign licences
For the first 185 days you may drive on a recognised foreign licence; after that it is exchanged for a Belgian one (€20 plus a municipal fee) if the licence type is on the recognised list
↗
FASFC / AFSCA — the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain
Veterinary control of pet imports; the general EU rules (Regulation (EU) 576/2013 and updates)
↗
SPF Finances / FOD Financiën
Federal tax service, MyMinfin
↗
RIZIV / INAMI
The national health insurance institute; membership of a health fund (mutualité/ziekenfonds) is compulsory
↗

Reliability. Collected from open sources: official immigration service sites, statistical aggregators, industry surveys. Updated: 2026-09-05.

This is not advice. This material is for reference and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Visa rules, tax thresholds and prices change. Before deciding anything, check the official sources and consult a licensed professional in the relevant country.