Belgium’s three regions have published the remuneration levels that foreign employees must earn in order to qualify for a Work Permit B or Single Permit from 1 January 2026, and the numbers are significantly higher than last year. According to advisory firm Moore, the Brussels-Capital Region now requires a gross monthly wage of €3,703.44 for ‘highly qualified’ profiles (up 6 %), €6,647.20 for executive functions, and €4,748 for the European Blue Card.
Wallonia has opted for annual figures: €53,220 for highly-skilled workers, €42,576 for juniors under 30, and €88,790 for executives. Flanders is expected to publish its own statutory amounts in the coming days but will likely track similar percentage increases based on the Belgian average salary index.
For companies or individuals needing assistance navigating these evolving permit requirements, VisaHQ’s Belgium team offers end-to-end support with document preparation, translations and online filings; see https://www.visahq.com/belgium/ for details on services covering Work Permit B, Single Permit and alternative routes.
![Belgium raises 2026 salary thresholds for work permits and EU Blue Card]()
The jump reflects automatic indexation in line with inflation as well as a political push to keep Belgium attractive for senior talent while discouraging low-wage immigration. Employers must mention the new amounts in employment contracts submitted with permit applications; authorities can refuse files that cite outdated 2025 figures. Existing permit holders are unaffected, but renewals filed after 1 January must meet the new thresholds.
For multinational companies planning 2026 assignments, the higher salary floor may tip the cost–benefit balance of relocating junior staff to Belgium. HR teams should revisit assignment budgets, review gross-to-net calculations and consider alternative permit routes—such as the EU ICT permit—where remuneration rules differ. They should also monitor the Flemish publication, expected shortly, to ensure country-wide compliance.
Practical tip: because some regional portals have not yet been updated, practitioners report that uploading a signed addendum citing the 2026 salary can expedite processing and avoid additional information requests.
Wallonia has opted for annual figures: €53,220 for highly-skilled workers, €42,576 for juniors under 30, and €88,790 for executives. Flanders is expected to publish its own statutory amounts in the coming days but will likely track similar percentage increases based on the Belgian average salary index.
For companies or individuals needing assistance navigating these evolving permit requirements, VisaHQ’s Belgium team offers end-to-end support with document preparation, translations and online filings; see https://www.visahq.com/belgium/ for details on services covering Work Permit B, Single Permit and alternative routes.
The jump reflects automatic indexation in line with inflation as well as a political push to keep Belgium attractive for senior talent while discouraging low-wage immigration. Employers must mention the new amounts in employment contracts submitted with permit applications; authorities can refuse files that cite outdated 2025 figures. Existing permit holders are unaffected, but renewals filed after 1 January must meet the new thresholds.
For multinational companies planning 2026 assignments, the higher salary floor may tip the cost–benefit balance of relocating junior staff to Belgium. HR teams should revisit assignment budgets, review gross-to-net calculations and consider alternative permit routes—such as the EU ICT permit—where remuneration rules differ. They should also monitor the Flemish publication, expected shortly, to ensure country-wide compliance.
Practical tip: because some regional portals have not yet been updated, practitioners report that uploading a signed addendum citing the 2026 salary can expedite processing and avoid additional information requests.
