The Flemish,1 Brussels,2 and Walloon3 regions have each implemented new legislation on the employment of non-European Economic Area (EEA) nationals in Belgium.
Based on this new legislation, each region has made changes to its minimum salary requirements for certain categories of workers.
The minimum salary requirements must be met to obtain the appropriate permit (Work or Single Permit) allowing non-European Economic Area (EEA) nationals to be employed in Belgium.
Employers need to monitor whether salary requirements are met and need to budget for increases to help ensure the continued legal employment of their workforce of non-EEA nationals.
Non-compliance with these minimum salary requirements may lead to a finding by the authorities of illegal employment by the employer and consequently can lead to the imposition of administrative and/or penal sanctions on the employer.
The below table shows an overview of the updated minimum salary thresholds for the Flemish, Walloon, and Brussels regions.
•ÌýÌ� For the Brussels region, the updated minimum salary thresholds will be implemented as from 1 October 2024*.
•ÌýÌ� For the Flemish region, the updated minimum salary threshold for the EU Blue Card has been implemented â€� in effect since 1 May 2024*.Ìý
•ÌýÌ� For the Walloon region, the updated minimum salary thresholds have been implemented â€� in effect since 1 September 2024*.
Amounts for 2024* | Brussels Region - | Flemish Region | Walloon Region |
Ìý | Monthly salary thresholdÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý | Yearly salary threshold | Yearly salary threshold |
Highly-skilled employees | EUR 3,591.12 | EUR 46,632 | EUR 50,310 |
Highly-skilled employees (local Belgian hires; under the age of 30) | N/A | EUR 37,305.60** | EUR 40,248** |
Management personnel | EUR 6,445.60 | EUR 74,611 | EUR 83,936 |
Intra-Corporate Transferee (specialist) | EUR 4,373.80 | EUR 46,632 | EUR 52,042 |
Intra-Corporate Transferee (trainee) | EUR 2,532.20 | EUR 46,632 | EUR 32,327 |
Intra-Corporate Transferee (Management) | EUR 5,294.60 | EUR 74,611 | EUR 65,053 |
EU Blue Card | EUR 4,604 | EUR 60,621.60 | EUR 65,053 |
EU Blue Card (local Belgian hires, under the age of 30) | N/A | N/A | EUR 52,042** |
Trainee | Min. salary (sector) | Sufficient means of existence | Min. salary (sector) |
Medium-skilled employees in “bottleneck� professions | N/A | Min. salary (sector) | N/A |
Source: ÀÖÓ㣨Leyu£©ÌåÓý¹ÙÍø in Belgium
** The higher amount needs to be met as soon as the employee turns 30.
It is important to note that the definition of “qualifying salary to meet the thresholdâ€� is different per region. ÌýEach region determines which salary components can be included in the calculation of the minimum salary threshold. Ìý
A noteworthy change is the Brussels region switching to a monthly gross minimum salary as reported in code 1 of DfmA.Ìý DmfA, short for “Déclaration multifunctionele/multifunctionale aangifte,â€� is the mandatory electronic reporting tool in which employers report salary and working hours to Belgian authorities.4
The Flemish and Walloon regional authorities will continue to review whether the annual salary amount meets the threshold.
It may be advisable to consult with your usual qualified immigration counsel or a member of the Immigration team with ÀÖÓ㣨Leyu£©ÌåÓý¹ÙÍø in Belgium (see the Contacts section).Ìý Ìý ÌýÌý
1 ÌýMinimum salary thresholds for the Flemish Region (in Dutch): .
2 ÌýMinimum salary thresholds for the Brussels Region (in Dutch, as well as English and French): .
3Ìý Minimum salary thresholds for the Walloon Region (in French, as well as Dutch, German, and English): .
4 Ìý(In Dutch) Sociale Zekerheid Onderneming, Administratieve instructies RSZ - 2024/3, Het invullen van de DmfA. ÌýClick .
* Please note the ÀÖÓ㣨Leyu£©ÌåÓý¹ÙÍø International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, ÀÖÓ㣨Leyu£©ÌåÓý¹ÙÍø Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the ÀÖÓ㣨Leyu£©ÌåÓý¹ÙÍø International member firm in Belgium.
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