Moving to Belgium

Belgium professional card (self-employed)

Beroepskaart / Carte professionnelle

Freelancers and business owners whose activity the region judges economically useful (innovation, jobs, investment, meeting a need).

What you need

• Business plan showing economic interest to the region, proof of qualifications and any required professional licences; registration in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE) once approved.
• Sufficient means and financing for the activity; no fixed national figure found.

Not for

• Activities without demonstrated benefit to the region
• Applicants who want a quick decision (processing reported at 4-9 months)

Where you apply

From home, at a consulate. Usually filed at the Belgian embassy or consulate in your country of residence; the region of the planned activity decides. One secondary source reports that since May 2026 applications go through the 'Working in Belgium' portal.

How long it takes

Not officially stated; secondary sources report about 4-9 months.

First permit

Up to 5 years per the Brussels catalogue; secondary sources often cite 2 years initially.

Renewal

Renewable on proof of activity.

Longer term

Permanent residence after about 5 years. Citizenship after about 5 years.

Family

Family reunification with income and housing conditions.

EUR 140 confirmed by two Belgian embassies (not the US ones). Issuance fee, validity and the May 2026 portal change are from secondary sources and conflict. No income threshold found. Regional assessment is discretionary.

EU Blue Card (Belgium)

Europese blauwe kaart / Carte bleue européenne

Graduates with a Belgian job of at least 6 months above the regional Blue Card salary.

What you need

• Flanders: at least EUR 63,586 gross a year (130% of the average wage; 2025 figure still cited as current). (EUR 63,586 a year)
• Brussels: about EUR 4,748 gross a month (2025 level retained for 2026). (EUR 4,748 a month)
• Wallonia: EUR 68,815 gross a year from 1 Jan 2026 (junior, under 3 years' experience: EUR 55,052). (EUR 68,815 a year)
• Higher-education diploma (at least 3 years, level 6), or for ICT managers/specialists 3 years of experience in the last 7; contract of at least 6 months with a Belgian employer (no secondment).

Not for

• Secondments from a foreign employer
• Self-employment

Where you apply

From home or inside the country. The employer applies via the 'Working in Belgium' single-permit portal, choosing the Blue Card category; then the worker gets a D visa at the consulate.

How long it takes

Not stated; for holders of another EU state's Blue Card, max 30 days extendable by 30 (Flanders).

First permit

At least 6 months; a 3-year Blue Card after 24 months. After 12 months with one employer it covers any qualifying employer.

Renewal

Renewable.

Longer term

Permanent residence after about 5 years. Citizenship after about 5 years.

Family

Family reunification with simplified conditions for Blue Card holders.

Belgium single work-and-residence permit

Gecombineerde vergunning / Permis unique (single permit)

People with a Belgian job offer; thresholds depend on the region (Flanders, Brussels, Wallonia).

What you need

• Flanders, highly skilled: at least EUR 48,912 gross a year (2025 figure still applied in 2026 until Statbel publishes the new average; under-30: EUR 39,129.60). (EUR 48,912 a year)
• Brussels, highly qualified: at least EUR 3,703.44 gross a month (2025 level retained for 2026). (EUR 3,703.44 a month)
• Wallonia, highly qualified: at least EUR 53,220 gross a year from 1 Jan 2026 (under-30: EUR 42,576). (EUR 53,220 a year)

Not for

• Self-employment (see professional card)
• Job search without an offer

Where you apply

From home or inside the country. The employer applies to the regional employment authority via the 'Working in Belgium' portal; once approved, the worker gets a type D visa at the Belgian consulate (US citizens: the consulate covering their state).

How long it takes

Not officially stated in sources fetched; regions publish estimated lead times.

First permit

Up to 3 years (regional rules vary).

Renewal

Renewable with the employer.

Longer term

Permanent residence after about 5 years. Citizenship after about 5 years.

Family

Spouse and children can join through family reunification (income and housing conditions apply).