Belgium Single Permit
Belgium's single permit merges work authorisation and residence into one document. The decisive point is that competence sits with the Regions, so there is no nationwide set of work-permit conditions.
Core requirements
A single permit is needed by nationals from outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland employed in Belgium for longer than 90 days.
Since 1 January 2019 the residence document itself indicates whether the holder has a work authorisation, merging work and residence into one document.
Both the work application and the residence application must be approved; neither alone is enough.
Since the Sixth State Reform, regulating foreign workers is the responsibility of the Regions. Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels each set their own thresholds, lists and procedures, and the Region where the work takes place decides which apply.
The Federal State retains the employment of foreign nationals in particular residence situations, and eligibility for au pair work.
For some groups the work authorisation follows from residence status: EU citizens and long-term residents, applicants for international protection and recognised refugees, students, and family members. For them the route is entirely different.
Salary thresholds are set separately by each Region. The federal pages checked state no salary figures, so they must be confirmed with the authority of the Region where the work takes place.
Official sources
- Foreign workersFPS Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue (Belgium) · Reviewed 2026-09-06
How immigration works in Belgium — the process in order, the current figures with their dates, and what commonly blocks an application.
General educational information only, not personalized immigration or legal advice. Requirements can change; confirm them with the responsible government authority before acting. Next scheduled review: 2026-12-06.