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Working in Belgium

Work permits, taxes, banking, salary expectations and social security in Belgium.

Last updated: 2026-07-04

Work Permit / Single Permit

Since January 2019, work and residence authorisation for non-EU nationals staying over 90 days is combined into a single unified 'Single Permit' (Type B for standard employees), applied for by the employer through the relevant region's one-stop counter.

  1. 1Secure a job offer from a Belgian employer
  2. 2Employer files the Single Permit application with the competent region (Flanders, Wallonia or Brussels-Capital — each has its own salary thresholds)
  3. 3Once approved, apply for the corresponding long-stay (Type D) visa in India
  4. 4Register with your local municipality within 8 working days of arrival
  • The Single Permit is tied to the employer that filed it — changing jobs requires a new application
  • Typical processing time is around 4-8 weeks; government fees are generally €150-250 depending on region and permit type
  • The EU Blue Card is an alternative for highly-skilled roles meeting salary thresholds

Taxes

Belgium has a progressive personal income tax system administered by the FPS Finance (Federal Public Service Finance / SPF Finances); residents file an annual tax return.

  • Belgium has a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with India
  • Tax rates and brackets change periodically — verify current figures directly with FPS Finance (finance.belgium.be) rather than relying on older guides

Banking

Opening a Belgian bank account is usually needed for salary payment and daily life.

  1. 1Get your national registry number via municipality registration
  2. 2Choose a bank (e.g. KBC, BNP Paribas Fortis, ING, Belfius)
  3. 3Bring your passport, residence proof and employment contract to open an account

Salary

Salary levels vary significantly by sector, role and region — Brussels and Antwerp generally offer higher wages than smaller cities, and regional salary thresholds also affect Single Permit eligibility.

  • Check the current regional salary threshold for your Single Permit category before negotiating an offer, as it can affect visa eligibility

Social Security

Employees and employers contribute to Belgium's social security system, covering healthcare, pensions and unemployment benefits.

  • India and Belgium have a Social Security Agreement covering certain contribution exemptions for posted workers