Move to Belgium, every legal route
Belgium's immigration system is run by its three regions (Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels) rather than a single national body, each with its own salary thresholds and shortage lists. With over 15,000 unfilled ICT vacancies alone, it's a genuine option for skilled African professionals.
Visa & immigration routes
Tap a category to expand it. Figures are indicative — always confirm current details on the official government site before applying.
Points-Based / Highly Skilled 1 route ▾
Belgium runs a job-offer-based system, but sets a genuinely useful shortage-occupation exemption.
EU Blue Card
For highly qualified non-EU workers with a recognised degree and a job offer meeting a (fairly high) regional salary threshold.
Federal fee ~€152, often covered by the employer
Several weeks, varies by region
- A higher education degree of at least 3 years, relevant to the role
- A job offer meeting the regional threshold: ~€63,586 (Flanders), ~€68,815 (Wallonia), ~€56,976 (Brussels) in 2026
- Degree certificate
- Employment contract
- Passport
Employer-Sponsored 1 route ▾
Belgium's main working route, and the one most shortage-occupation hires use.
Single Permit (combined work + residence)
For a job offer of more than 90 days. Highly qualified workers above the salary threshold skip the labour market test entirely.
€152 federal fee, region-specific processing fee on top (employer usually pays)
Flanders fast-lane: 15–30 days; Wallonia ~4–6 weeks; Brussels ~6–8 weeks
- Job offer from a Belgian employer
- Salary meeting the regional highly-skilled threshold, or role on a regional shortage occupation list
- Employer typically handles the application
- Employment contract
- Qualifications
- Passport
Startup / Entrepreneur / Investor 1 route ▾
A single, points-assessed route for non-EU entrepreneurs.
Professional Card
A combined residence-and-work permit for self-employed non-EU/EEA nationals, assessed on the economic value of the business to Belgium.
Varies by region — confirm current fee with the relevant regional authority
Several weeks to a few months
- Relevant diplomas, licences, or at least 3 years of professional experience
- A business plan showing turnover, job creation and investment potential
- Business plan
- Proof of qualifications/experience
- Passport
Family / Spousal / Partner 1 route ▾
For spouses and family of Belgian residents.
Family Reunification Visa
For the spouse or registered partner of a Belgian citizen, EU citizen, or non-EU resident with a permit valid beyond 3 months.
€250 consular fee
~2–4 months
- Legally married or registered partnership
- Both partners aged 21+ (18 if married before arriving)
- Sponsor's net income at or above ~€2,323/month plus 10% per extra dependent
- Suitable housing
- Marriage certificate
- Sponsor's income evidence
- Housing proof
- Passport
Digital Nomad 1 route ▾
No dedicated Belgian digital nomad visa exists.
No Formal Route
Belgium does not offer a digital nomad-specific visa. Genuine long-term remote workers typically need to qualify under the Professional Card or a standard employment route instead.
N/A
N/A
Seasonal / Agricultural 1 route ▾
A time-limited route for agricultural work.
Seasonal Work Permit
For seasonal agricultural roles, capped at 6 months in any 12-month period.
Employer typically bears the main costs
Several weeks
- A confirmed seasonal job offer
- Minimum salary of ~€2,069/month
- Employer-led application
- Employment contract
- Passport
Student 1 route ▾
Belgium hosts strong French- and Dutch-medium universities, with growing English-taught programs.
Student Residence Permit
For study at a recognised Belgian institution, with the right to work part-time.
Visa/permit fees vary by consulate; budget for tuition and living costs separately
A few weeks to a couple of months
- Admission to a recognised institution
- Proof of sufficient funds
- Health insurance valid in Belgium
- Admission letter
- Proof of funds
- Passport
- Health insurance
Best career pathways right now
Not sure which of the six countries fits your profession best? Try the career planner →
ICT & Technology
Belgium's tech federation reports over 15,000 unfilled ICT vacancies at any given time — one of the strongest opportunities on this list, and senior roles typically clear the EU Blue Card salary threshold.
Typical salary: €40,000-€75,000
Usual visa route: EU Blue Card
Healthcare
Nurses and care assistants remain on every regional shortage list, exempting these roles from labour market testing.
Typical salary: €35,000-€55,000
Usual visa route: Single Permit (combined work + residence)
Engineering & Trades
Engineering technicians, electricians and industrial maintenance roles are consistently short-staffed on both the Flanders and Wallonia shortage lists.
Typical salary: €38,000-€60,000
Usual visa route: Single Permit (combined work + residence)
Logistics
Belgium's central European location and ports keep logistics and customs roles in steady demand.
Typical salary: €35,000-€55,000
Usual visa route: Single Permit (combined work + residence)
Workplace culture & etiquette
Formal and title-conscious
Belgian business culture leans formal — use last names and appropriate titles until invited to do otherwise.
Punctuality matters
Arriving on time for meetings is taken seriously and reflects respect for colleagues' time.
Work and private life stay separate
Belgians generally don't mix business with personal life — don't expect after-work socialising to be the norm.
Three linguistic regions, three cultures
Flanders (Dutch), Wallonia (French) and Brussels (bilingual) each have their own business norms — it's worth learning which applies to your workplace.
Conservative dress
Professional dress tends to be polished and understated rather than casual, even in tech.
Cost of living snapshot
| City | 1-bed rent | Groceries | Transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brussels The capital and largest job market, including EU institutions and multinationals. | ~€900–1,240/month | ~€300–400/month | ~€50/month (STIB pass) |
| Antwerp A major port city with a strong fashion and diamond trade, and Belgium's second-largest job market. | ~10–20% cheaper than Brussels | ~€300–400/month | ~€50–60/month |
| Ghent A university city, generally cheaper than Brussels with a lively student and creative scene. | ~€800–1,350/month | ~€300–400/month | ~€50/month |
Neighbourhood guide: Brussels
Ratings only — we don't list or scrape live rentals. For actual listings, use Immoweb, the trusted platform for Belgium.
Ixelles / Matongé
Home to Matongé, Brussels' well-known African quarter, with a multicultural, cosmopolitan feel and excellent transit connections.
Commute: ~15-20 min to centre by tram/metro
Schaerbeek
More affordable and spacious than Ixelles, with a large and growing expat and migrant community.
Commute: ~15-20 min to centre by tram/train
Etterbeek
Modern, clean and safe, close to the European Parliament — popular with EU officials, expats and young families.
Commute: ~10-15 min to centre by metro
Woluwe-Saint-Lambert
A quieter, more residential option with strong safety and green space, at a higher price point.
Commute: ~20-25 min to centre by metro
Studying? Watch for rental scams
Belgian universities and university colleges typically run their own "kot" (student room) housing services — register early, as demand in Brussels and Leuven especially outstrips supply. Never transfer a deposit for a room you haven't seen in person or via a live video call.
Trusted platforms to search instead of random social media listings:
- Your university's official kot/housing service
- Immoweb
- Kotplanet / Stuvo student housing platforms
Your first 30 days
Register at your commune/municipality
Required within 8 working days of arrival — bring your passport, proof of health insurance, and 3–4 passport photos. This issues your provisional National Register Number.
Get health insurance (mutualité)
Join a mutualité (e.g. Partenamut, Helan, Solidaris) as soon as possible — applications typically take 2–4 weeks to process.
Open a Belgian bank account
Strongly recommended even if you already bank elsewhere — most mutualités only reimburse to a Belgian IBAN.
Get a SIM card
Prepaid options from Base, Lyca Mobile or Mobile Vikings are widely available with minimal paperwork.
Collect your eID card
After your commune registration is processed, you'll be issued (or scheduled to collect) your Belgian residence card — keep it on you, spot ID checks are routine.
Find housing
Immoweb and Logic-Immo are the main rental platforms — a Belgian guarantor or extra deposit can help without local rental history.
Tourist & visiting visas
Kept deliberately separate from the work/study/family routes above — this is specifically for a holiday, family visit, or short trip.
Schengen Visa (Type C)
For tourism, family visits, or short business trips across the Schengen Area, including Belgium.
€90 (adult), €45 (children 6–12)
Standard processing ~15 calendar days, up to 45 for complex cases
- Valid passport
- Travel insurance valid across Schengen
- Proof of funds and accommodation
- Return travel evidence
- Passport
- Travel insurance
- Bank statements
- Accommodation booking
- Return flight booking
Best places to visit
Grand Place, Brussels
One of the most beautiful medieval squares in Europe, ringed by 17th-century guild houses.
The Atomium, Brussels
Belgium's most recognisable modern icon, built for the 1958 World's Fair.
Bruges Market Square & Belfry
A postcard-perfect medieval square best explored slowly along the city's canals.
Ghent
A creative, youthful university city with striking medieval architecture and a strong music scene.
Antwerp
Belgium's fashion and diamond capital, with a historic port and vibrant design scene.
Belgian visa rules are set regionally (Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels) and change periodically — figures above are indicative and current as of our last research pass. Always confirm details with the relevant regional immigration authority before making decisions or payments.