Need a visa or permit?
Before
you leave your country, you need to know whether you are entitled to
live and work in Belgium. Make sure to verify whether you need a visa, a residence permit or a work permit.
Are you from the European Economic Area?
The European Economic Area (EEA) contains all the member states of the European Union (EU) and some other countries.
Namely: Austria Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom. Switzerland is not part of the EEA, but has an agreement.
You do not need a work permit to work in Belgium. Exceptions are Bulgaria and Rumania. If you come from these countries you do need a work permit.
- Will you stay less than 3 months?
- You do not need a residence permit. Your identity card or European passport will do.
- Will you stay longer than 3 months?
- After having registered in your community, you will receive
a temporary residence permit (purple form).
- This is valid for 3 months and can be extended up to 1 year until you get a permanent residence permit.
- When you apply for a temporary residence permit in the local government office, you need a proof of identity and 3 passport photos, and you will have to pay a small sum of money. Your details will be stored in the foreigners' registration office.
- Do you have a permanent residence and a regular income? In that case you can apply for a permanent residence permit (blue form). This is valid for 5 years and can be prolonged for an unrestricted number of times. Your details will be included in the population register of your community.
- After having registered in your community, you will receive
a temporary residence permit (purple form).
Are you looking for more information?
- Information about a work permit in
- Surf to the site of Eures, the network of European public employment services.
- Do you have specific questions about your rights in Belgium? Ask them online to the Orientation service.
Are you from outside the European Economic Area?
You need a a work permit to work in Belgium.
- Will you stay less than 3 months?
- You do not need a residence permit. A visa will do. Contact the Belgian embassy in your own country.
- Will you stay longer than 3 months?
- Apply for a temporary residence permit at the Belgian embassy or the Belgian consulate in your own country.
- Afterwards you can get a permanent residence permit.