What is a Single Permit in Belgium?

What is a single permit in Belgium?

A single permit (permis unique in French, gecombineerde vergunning in Dutch) is the combined work and residence authorisation that a non-EU national needs to work in Belgium for more than 90 days. It replaced the separate work permit on 1 January 2019, and the employee’s residence document now shows whether they may work.

Who decides

Labour migration is a regional matter in Belgium. The employer applies to the region where the employee will work: Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels-Capital or the German-speaking Community. The region assesses the work part and the federal Immigration Office assesses residence, and both must approve before the employee starts. EU and EEA nationals do not need a permit, and assignments of up to 90 days use a separate work authorisation.

Categories and salary thresholds

Each region sets its own categories and salary thresholds. In Flanders, a highly skilled worker needs a higher education degree, a highly qualified role and a gross annual salary of at least €48,912, or €39,129.60 for employees under 30 and for nurses and teachers in recognised institutions. These are the 2025 amounts, which still apply to applications filed in 2026 until new salary statistics are published.

The EU Blue Card, a separate route for highly qualified workers, requires at least €63,586 in Flanders (2025 amount). Medium-skilled roles are possible only for functions on the Flemish shortage list. Wallonia and Brussels apply their own amounts.

Duration and fees

In Flanders, a single permit for a highly skilled worker can be requested for up to three years at once, and a renewal must be filed before the current permit expires. From 1 September 2026, Flanders charges a €180 fee per single permit application, and all applications go through its online one-stop shop.

Single permits when you hire through an EOR

With TopSource as your Employer of Record in Belgium, we act as the sponsoring employer: we prepare a contract that meets the region’s requirements, run the single permit application through the competent region and build realistic processing times into the start date.

Frequently asked questions

Who applies for a single permit in Belgium?

The employer, to the region where the employee will work. The region decides on the work part and the federal Immigration Office on residence.

How much must a highly skilled worker earn in Flanders?

At least €48,912 gross a year, or €39,129.60 for employees under 30 and for nurses and teachers in recognised institutions. These 2025 amounts still apply to 2026 applications until new figures are published.

Do EU citizens need a single permit to work in Belgium?

No. EU and EEA nationals can work in Belgium freely. The single permit is for non-EU nationals working in Belgium for more than 90 days.

Single Permit (Belgium)