Effective today, 23 February 2026, companies that outsource work in Flanders must prove—at every tier of the supply chain—that foreign workers on their sites hold the correct Belgian single-permit or short-term authorisation. The measure, confirmed in the latest Ius Laboris Global Mobility Update, is part of a broader Flemish reform that entered into force on 1 January 2026 but allows a short transition before enforcement begins.
![Flanders activates new chain-liability regime & stricter work-permit rules for contractors]()
Navigating these evolving regulations can be time-consuming, but third-party specialists such as VisaHQ offer a streamlined way to verify and obtain the correct Belgian work permits. Their online platform (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/) and in-house experts can liaise with Flemish authorities, pre-check application packets and track each submission, giving prime contractors an auditable trail that aligns with the new chain-liability obligations.
The new decree means prime contractors are now jointly and severally liable for immigration breaches committed by any sub-contractor or temporary-work agency they engage. If an inspector finds a third-country national working without the appropriate permit, the entire chain can face administrative fines of up to €48,000 per worker, retroactive salary payments, and—crucially for ongoing projects—immediate suspension of the site until compliance is restored. To reduce the risk, large Belgian groups such as DEME and Umicore are rolling out “immigration compliance clauses” that oblige sub-suppliers to share permit copies and register workers in Flanders’s WSE Loket portal at least five working days before they start. Employment lawyers warn that simply inserting such clauses is not enough: prime contractors must keep auditable records and conduct spot checks, as inspectors are now empowered to request digital files on-site. The chain-liability rules coincide with a parallel tightening of the region’s shortage-occupation list. Fourteen mid-level trades—including bus drivers and bakers—were removed in January, meaning employers must attempt (and document) a local-labour search before a permit can be issued. Six specialised roles, such as diamond cutter and data-network technician, were added. International employers posting staff to Antwerp’s petrochemical cluster report average processing times of 30-35 days, still within the statutory 90-day EU single-permit deadline but longer than in neighbouring Netherlands or Germany. In practice, mobility managers should: 1) map every Belgian engagement that involves external labour; 2) obtain written confirmation that each posted or transferred worker holds a valid permit matching the activity and region; 3) retain scans plus the new regional notification receipts; and 4) build lead-times of at least six weeks into project schedules to absorb possible requests for additional evidence from the Flemish authorities.
Navigating these evolving regulations can be time-consuming, but third-party specialists such as VisaHQ offer a streamlined way to verify and obtain the correct Belgian work permits. Their online platform (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/) and in-house experts can liaise with Flemish authorities, pre-check application packets and track each submission, giving prime contractors an auditable trail that aligns with the new chain-liability obligations.
The new decree means prime contractors are now jointly and severally liable for immigration breaches committed by any sub-contractor or temporary-work agency they engage. If an inspector finds a third-country national working without the appropriate permit, the entire chain can face administrative fines of up to €48,000 per worker, retroactive salary payments, and—crucially for ongoing projects—immediate suspension of the site until compliance is restored. To reduce the risk, large Belgian groups such as DEME and Umicore are rolling out “immigration compliance clauses” that oblige sub-suppliers to share permit copies and register workers in Flanders’s WSE Loket portal at least five working days before they start. Employment lawyers warn that simply inserting such clauses is not enough: prime contractors must keep auditable records and conduct spot checks, as inspectors are now empowered to request digital files on-site. The chain-liability rules coincide with a parallel tightening of the region’s shortage-occupation list. Fourteen mid-level trades—including bus drivers and bakers—were removed in January, meaning employers must attempt (and document) a local-labour search before a permit can be issued. Six specialised roles, such as diamond cutter and data-network technician, were added. International employers posting staff to Antwerp’s petrochemical cluster report average processing times of 30-35 days, still within the statutory 90-day EU single-permit deadline but longer than in neighbouring Netherlands or Germany. In practice, mobility managers should: 1) map every Belgian engagement that involves external labour; 2) obtain written confirmation that each posted or transferred worker holds a valid permit matching the activity and region; 3) retain scans plus the new regional notification receipts; and 4) build lead-times of at least six weeks into project schedules to absorb possible requests for additional evidence from the Flemish authorities.
