Ways to live in Belgium
These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.
Programme details are shown in English.
Work permit Work permits →
Single permit (combined work and residence permit)
The main way to work for a Belgian employer. The employer applies to the region where the job is located; the permit covers both the right to work and the right to stay.
- What you need
- A job offer from an employer in Belgium. Each region (Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels) sets its own categories and salary floors, for example for highly qualified staff or shortage occupations.
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- The employer files the application with the regional authority. If you are abroad, you then apply for a long-stay D visa at the Belgian embassy; if you are already in Belgium, the permit is issued through your municipality.
- Family
- Family members can come with you
EU Blue Card (EU work permit for qualified specialists)
A category of the single permit for highly qualified employees with a high salary. It is easier to change employers and gives a longer card after two years.
- What you need
- A higher-education degree from at least three years of study (managers and IT specialists can instead show three years of relevant experience in the last seven), a contract with a Belgian employer for at least six months or open-ended, and a gross salary of at least 130% of the average Belgian salary in Flanders (the threshold differs by region).
- How long
- At least 6 months at first; after 24 months a 3-year card. After one year you can work for any employer.
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- The employer applies for a single permit and selects the EU Blue Card category; abroad you then get a D visa at the Belgian embassy.
- Family
- Family members can come with you
Student visa Student visas →
Long-stay student visa
For bachelor's, master's and doctoral students accepted full-time at a recognised Belgian institution. After arrival you register with the municipality and get a residence card.
- What you need
- An admission or enrolment certificate, and proof of funds: a scholarship, at least €1,062 a month paid into the university's blocked account, or a sponsor's financial guarantee. Travel medical insurance of at least €30,000 for the first months and a medical certificate from an approved doctor.
- Income
- from about $1,230 a month
- How long
- For the length of the studies, renewed each academic year
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- Visa fee plus a €251 handling fee (students under 18 and Belgian grant holders are exempt from the handling fee)
- How to apply
- Fill in the form on VisaOnWeb and apply in person at the Belgian embassy or consulate, up to 6 months and no later than 15 days before travel.
- Family
- Family members can come with you
Freelancer and self-employed Freelancer and self-employed visas →
Professional card for self-employed foreigners
Non-EU nationals who want to work as self-employed or run their own company in Belgium need a professional card from the region where the business is based, plus a right of residence.
- What you need
- In Flanders: at least a secondary-school diploma, steady income of at least 110% of the guaranteed minimum monthly income, and an activity with economic, innovative, cultural, artistic or sporting value. Economic projects need a full business plan and at least €22,838 of start-up capital in your own account.
- Renewable
- Yes
- Processing time
- At least 2 months in Flanders
- How to apply
- From abroad through the Belgian embassy or consulate; if you already live legally in Belgium, through a business counter. You may start working only once the card is granted.
- Family
- Family members can come with you
Cost of living
Monthly amounts in US dollars.
| Room in a shared flat | $550 |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom flat | $910 |
| Two-bedroom flat | $1,320 |
| Bills | $170 |
| Typical local salary | $3,000 |
Cities to consider
- BrusselsEurope's multilingual capital
- AntwerpFashion, port and Art Nouveau
- GhentMedieval and car-free
- LeuvenOld university town
Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.
What life is like
Programme details are shown in English.
Why people move
Belgium packs medieval squares in Ghent and Bruges, the international buzz of Brussels and student life in Leuven into a short train ride. Food is a serious pleasure, and Paris, Amsterdam and London are close.
Day to day
Dense rail links make car-free life easy between cities. Healthcare is excellent through mandatory health insurance funds. Cards are standard, internet is good, and Dutch, French or German depends on the region, with English common in Brussels.
Trade-offs
Bureaucracy is layered across federal, regional and local levels. The weather is grey and rainy much of the year, and the language divide affects schools, paperwork and social life.
Before you move: visa-free entry
Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:
United States90 days
United Kingdom90 days
Australia90 days
Canada90 days
New Zealand90 days
SwitzerlandVisa-free
NorwayVisa-free
Singapore90 days
Japan90 days
South Korea90 days
Israel90 days
United Arab Emirates90 days
Hong Kong90 days
South AfricaVisa
Mexico90 days
Brazil90 days
Questions
Does Belgium have a digital nomad visa?
Not among the routes we have checked. Remote workers usually come as visitors within the visa-free limit or use one of the other routes on this page.
How can I move to Belgium?
The routes we have checked are: Work permit, Student visa, Freelancer and self-employed.
Sources and last check
This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.
