Belgium Raises Salary Thresholds for Migrant Workers
Mar 4, 2026
Category: Belgium Foreign Workers News
Belgium has tightened rules for migrant workers in 2026, raising minimum salary thresholds for non-European Union (EU) staff and enforcing stricter permit conditions across its regions.
The changes come as applications from non-European workers continue to rise amid labour shortages.
Rising salary thresholds
Belgium’s three regions have set new minimum salary levels for 2026, directly affecting companies hiring non-EU migrant workers.
Employers in Brussels must still pay highly qualified staff at least €3,703.44 per month before tax, while other regions have raised their thresholds in line with updated criteria.
The changes apply to European Blue Card holders and people applying for single permits, which combine residence and work authorisation. Companies that fail to meet the salary rules risk fines and, in serious cases, criminal penalties for illegal employment.
Regional authorities announced the figures in February, saying that the updates are part of their annual review. The salary benchmarks differ slightly between Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels, but all regions confirmed stricter checks for 2026.
Officials said that the rules are designed to match pay levels with labour market conditions. Employers must prove that foreign hires meet the new salary floor before a permit is granted or renewed.
Applications keep climbing
The tougher salary criteria come as the number of non-European migrant workers in Flanders continues to grow. According to the Flemish Economic Migration Service, 27,561 applications were filed in 2025, up 18.1% from the previous year.
Authorities approved 23,989 of those requests, a 19.7% increase compared with 2024. Nearly 10,000 applications were renewals, showing that many workers are staying beyond their first permit period.
The Flemish government reported that 58% of current work permits are for highly skilled roles. Many of those workers come from India and are employed in consultancy and information technology.
China, Turkey, Japan and Iran also rank among the main countries of origin for highly qualified staff. Officials said demand remains strong in sectors facing shortages.
Labour shortages drive demand
Regional officials link the rise in migrant workers to gaps in the local workforce. Traditional free movement within the EU has slowed, with fewer workers arriving from Central and Eastern Europe.
Some of those countries are now dealing with their own labour shortages, reducing the flow to Belgium. Flemish authorities said this has led employers to recruit more third-country nationals.
Transport is a major pressure point. In the medium-skilled category, which accounts for about 20 per cent of permits, lorry drivers received the highest number of approvals last year, followed by care workers and maintenance mechanics.
Officials said that employers must demonstrate that no suitable candidates are available locally before hiring from outside the EU for certain roles. From 2026, low-skilled profiles are excluded from some permit categories unless specific conditions apply.
Seasonal work still open
Seasonal migration remains part of the system, though under separate rules. Seasonal workers can stay for up to 90 days, mainly in agriculture and horticulture.
Ukrainians form the largest group in this category, working largely in fruit growing in Limburg province. Government figures show that 82% of seasonal workers are women, a contrast to the broader migrant workforce, which is predominantly male.
Flemish authorities have simplified the procedure for seasonal permits this year. At the same time, they tightened access for longer-term low-skilled roles.
Borders go digital
At the same time, EU-wide border systems are being rolled out that affect how non-EU nationals enter the Schengen area.
The Entry/Exit System (EES), which began operating on 12 October 2025, registers short-stay travellers each time they cross an external border, replacing passport stamps with a digital record.
The system applies to non-EU nationals travelling for up to 90 days in any 180-day period across participating countries, including Belgium. Full implementation at border crossing points is scheduled by 10 April 2026.
For migrant workers in Belgium, the impact depends on their status. Those arriving on long-stay visas or work permits are processed under residence rules, while short-term business visitors and seasonal workers may have their entries and exits recorded under the new database.
Pre-travel check coming up
Meanwhile, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), due to start in the last quarter of 2026, will require visa-exempt nationals to apply online before travelling for short stays.
ETIAS does not grant a right to work, and it does not replace a work permit. Migrant workers moving to Belgium for employment will still need the correct visa or single permit, though some short-term assignments could fall under its scope if travellers enter as business visitors.
A valid ETIAS allows stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Border guards will still verify entry conditions on arrival.
Travel trends shift routes
Long-haul travel patterns in Europe have also changed since the pandemic, with more direct routes linking Asia, North America and major EU hubs. Brussels Airport has seen growth in connections to India and other key source countries for highly skilled staff.
Easier air links can reduce travel time for workers relocating to Belgium. Direct flights and shorter transit times may influence where international professionals choose to work.
At the same time, tighter border checks and digital systems may add extra steps before travel. For short-term contractors and consultants, advance authorisations and electronic registration could shape how companies plan assignments.
Tighter rules, rising demand
Belgium is raising salary thresholds for migrant workers while applications from non-EU staff continue to climb, especially in regions facing staff shortages.
The shift shows that the country is trying to balance demand for foreign labour with stricter controls on who qualifies for a work permit.
For businesses and workers, the changes could shape who gets hired and who can afford to apply in the months ahead. As the new thresholds take effect this year, employers and applicants will be watching closely to see how the labour market adjusts.