Single permit (Belgium)

Since 1 January 2019, Belgium has combined the right to work and the right to stay in one procedure. Before then, a separate work card (arbeidskaart) showed that you could work; now your residence document shows it. The federal employment ministry explains that since the sixth state reform the regions are competent for foreign workers, so Flanders, Brussels-Capital and Wallonia each run the work part, with the German-speaking Community handling its own area. Residence is decided federally by the Immigration Office (Dienst Vreemdelingenzaken, DVZ).

The single permit is separate from your licence to practise. A nurse or doctor with a non-European diploma also needs a visa to practise from the FPS Public Health. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens need no permit.

Most health professionals apply as highly qualified workers, with a higher education diploma at ISCED level 5 or above from a state-recognised institution. Flanders gives these 2025 figures, which it still applies to 2026 applications until new statistics are published:

• Standard: at least €48,912 gross a year, or €3,513.79 a month on a Belgian contract with a thirteenth month and double holiday pay.
• Nurses in a recognised institution, and workers under 30: at least 80 percent of that average, €39,129.60 a year or €2,811.03 a month.
• EU Blue Card: a separate category at 130 percent of the average, €63,586 a year.

The employer can request the permit for up to three years at a time. Brussels and Wallonia set their own rules; check the regional authority for your workplace.

1. Your employer, or its representative, applies online through the Uniek Loket (Working in Belgium single window) in the region where it is based.
2. It uploads your passport, signed contract, diploma, a criminal record extract, a standard medical certificate and proof of health insurance, each no more than six months old where dated.
3. Submit at least one month and at most six months before the start date. Flanders issues no permit retroactively.
4. The region examines the work part. Flanders indicates about two weeks before examination starts for highly qualified workers.
5. The Immigration Office then decides on residence; Flanders estimates about 14 to 15 weeks for a first application.
6. You collect the card through your municipality, or a visa from the Belgian post abroad.

From 1 September 2026, Flanders charges employers €180 for each first application or renewal, indexed every 1 January and paid on top of the federal residence fee. Renewals should be filed two to six months before expiry with pay slips covering at least the last six months.

• Starting work early. You may only work for the employer named on the permit, from the approved date.
• Pay calculated wrongly. Only fixed pay counts toward the threshold, not variable bonuses or expense reimbursements.
• Forgetting the professional licence. The permit does not let you practise; you also need the FPS visa and, for billing, an INAMI-RIZIV number.
• Changing employer. A new employer needs a new application.