Belgium: Navigating the New Work Permit Regulations and Salary Thresholds

As of October 1, 2024, Brussels is set to implement significant changes to its work permit regulations and salary thresholds. These updates are designed to streamline the application process and better align salary expectations with regional standards. Here’s a comprehensive overview of what’s changing and what it means for both employers and employees.

Work Permit System Overhaul

End of Work Permit B: The traditional Work Permit B will be replaced by new short-term and long-term work authorizations. Work authorizations will now be issued directly to employers, who must then provide these authorizations to their employees for visa applications.
Automation for Long-Term Authorizations: For work authorizations lasting over a year, the process will be automated. Employers will no longer need to submit annual checks, although additional information might be requested.
Path to Unlimited Work Authorizations: Employees who have lived and worked in Brussels for 30 months uninterruptedly, or those with permits from other regions for four years, will be eligible for unlimited work authorizations.
Short-Term vs. Long-Term Work Authorizations:
- Short-Term: Covers up to 90 days, including cross-border and remote work.
- Long-Term: Applies for work periods exceeding 90 days and can last up to three years for certain skilled workers, transferees, Blue Card holders, and researchers.
Simplified Application Process: A more straightforward process for obtaining collective work authorizations, reducing administrative burdens.
Work Authorization Exemptions for Researchers: Researchers will benefit from new work authorization exemptions, fostering innovation and research in the region.

Additional Requirements: The government may request further details, such as job descriptions and organizational charts, for some work authorization categories.

Salary Thresholds for Work Permits

Salary thresholds are based on a percentage of the region’s average gross monthly salary of €4,604 and apply to specific job categories:

Senior Management: €6,445.60 (140%)
Highly Qualified Personnel: €3,591.12 (78%)
Performing Artists: €2,992.60 (65%)
European Blue Card Holders: €4,604 (100%
ICT Manager: €5,294.60 (115%)
ICT Expert: €4,373.80 (95%)
ICT Trainee: €2,532.20 (55%)

Implications for Employers and Employees:

Employers:
- Compliance: Ensure that salaries for positions meet or exceed these new thresholds to facilitate smooth work permit applications.
- Budget Adjustments: Review and possibly adjust compensation structures to align with the updated salary requirements.
Employees:
- Eligibility: Be aware of the new salary thresholds for your role to ensure your work permit application meets the requirements.
- Negotiation: When negotiating salaries or considering job offers in Brussels, factor in these thresholds to ensure compliance and maximize your eligibility.

Conclusion

The upcoming changes to Brussels' work permit system and salary thresholds mark a significant shift in how work permits are managed and how salaries are regulated. Employers will benefit from a more streamlined process for long-term work authorizations, while employees will need to be mindful of the updated salary thresholds for various job categories.

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Anywr is a French international group specializing in the global talent mobility and international recruitment. The company supports businesses in the search and integration of international talent, offering a complete range of services from sourcing to settlement. Anywr has a network of over 300 consultants in 16 countries. A member of the FrenchTech 120, the group is now composed of nearly 900 employees worldwide, with 400 in France, serving the largest French and international groups. Anywr is an innovative and responsible company, committed to its communities, which puts its expertise and solutions at the service of social integration projects and diversity. ANYWR has adopted the status of a Mission-led Company (Loi Pacte) since June 2021.

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