You may need a permit to work in Belgium. There are basically two different types of permits.

• A work permit is for your employer to arrange if you’re going to be working under a contract as an employee.
• A professional card for foreign entrepreneurs, necessary if you plan on starting start your own business as a freelancer or self-employed professional.

You do not need a work permit or a professional card if you are a national of:

• an EU Member State. (Please note that the United Kingdom ceased to be an EU Member State on 1 January 2021.)
• one the EFTA countries: Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.

There are certain other groups of foreign nationals who do not need work permits or professional cards. They include people with specific residence cards, people with refugee status, etc.

You’re welcome to start looking for a job even before you arrive in Flanders. The Flemish employment service - Work in Flanders(opens in new window) in English, but probably more commonly known as VDAB (Vlaamse Dienst voor Arbeidsbemiddeling) - will guide you as you search for work.

Employment services in Belgium are organised by the different regions and communities. VDAB does this in Flanders. The majority of the pages on their website are in Dutch. The good news? The English version of the website(opens in new window) explains how to translate pages using your internet browser.

In Flanders, the majority of positions require a certain level of fluency in Dutch. But not all jobs. There are positions for which a basic level of Dutch is sufficient. How do you find them? You’ll see a ‘Talen’ (Languages) filter on the left side of the job-search page (in Dutch)(opens in new window). Enter your level of Dutch to search for jobs that match your ability.

Of course, if you have a better level of Dutch - or of a different skill - it opens up more possibilities. This is why the website includes Dutch courses (in Dutch)(opens in new window) - as well as information on other training and education courses (in Dutch)(opens in new window) - and other forms of support and guidance (in Dutch)(opens in new window).

If you find you’re in Flanders without a job, you may benefit from registering with VDAB as a job seeker. You’re required to register if you’re following a civic integration process with the Agency for Integration and Civic Integration(opens in new window) (Agentschap Integratie en Inburgering), Atlas Antwerp(opens in new window), or Amal Gent(opens in new window).

You’re able to register as a jobseeker (in Dutch)(opens in new window) either online or by physically visiting a VDAB office near you(opens in new window). Make sure you have your residence documents with you. After you’ve registered, VDAB will help you with tailor-made information, advice and guidance.

Found your dream job? Time to apply! The first step is to write up a CV and a cover letter.

There are all kinds of different ways to write a CV. Take a look at some of the different examples and templates (in Dutch)(opens in new window) (in Dutch). Unable to decide which one is best for you? Think about writing your own Europass CV(opens in new window). This format is accepted in Flanders and across Europe.

Once you know what your dream job is, you need to make sure you’re hired. The first step here is to include all the information that shows you’re the right person for a specific job in your CV. How do you know what to include? Take a look at the job vacancy advertisement. It should explain everything. It’s also worth learning about the background of the company. Include your relevant work experience, education, skills and any other information about you that you want your future employer to know about. Be professional!

A cover letter explains why you are the most suitable candidate for the job you’re applying for. Avoid repeating the information in your CV. Instead, explain why this specific job has attracted you.

What happens if your job application succeeds? You’ll be given an employment contract(opens in new window). This explains your obligations as well as your rights. And these will vary. Exactly what your employment contract includes depends on the type of work you’ve been employed to do, whether you’ll be working full-time or part-time, and whether your contract is temporary or permanent. Your employment contract may also explain the procedure to be followed if you wish to leave your position.

Why include all this information? It helps you and your employer to know exactly what to expect from each other.

You have certain rights as an employee. In Belgium, your interests and rights(opens in new window) as an employee are protected by consultative bodies or by trade-union organisations that represent you at the level of your sector, legal statute or your profession.

Many of these are universal rights enjoyed by all employees in Belgium. Others will depend on everything from the industry you work in to your employer and your specific position. They include your wages, but also any leave you are entitled to, and the training and education allowances linked to your position.

Your employment contract will clearly state your remuneration. This includes your salary(opens in new window), but may also include other aspects such as a business car or other benefits. In Belgium, a lot of employees receive electronic meal vouchers and eco vouchers for purchasing specific kinds of products. There are no social-security contributions or taxes connected to these vouchers

In Belgium, full-time workers are generally entitled to twenty days of annual leave(opens in new window). This number is often different for blue-collar workers, white-collar workers, apprentices, people who work in the arts and civil servants. Your contract will explain how many days you are permitted to take.

As an employee, if you are unable to work due to illness or an accident(opens in new window), your employment contract will be suspended. During an initial period, the salary continues to be paid by the employer: this is the guaranteed salary. If you are self-employed you can call upon a substitute entrepreneur.

In Belgium, there is a system of leave that allows you to be absent from work for short periods for specific reasons(opens in new window). You may even be permitted to reduce your working hours in certain circumstances. There are different types of leave possible, the most common being:

• parental leave
• palliative-care leave
• leave to support or care for a family member who is seriously ill
• leave for informal care.

Under certain conditions, you may be entitled to leave for training and education. This is known as ‘Vlaams opleidingsverlof’ in Dutch (which translates as Flemish Training Leave) and is often referred to as VOV. While attending an approved training course, you will continue to be paid your salary. Your employer is compensated as you pick up a new skill or polish an existing one. A win-win situation.

What happens if you find a different job? Or you’re ready to retire? Maybe you have new interests you want to pursue. There are plenty of reasons why you - or your employer - might decide to end your employment contract(opens in new window). Your employment contract explains how this termination needs to proceed.

If you’ve and paid social-security contributions in Belgium or another country in the European Union, you effectively qualify for unemployment benefits(opens in new window) in Belgium. There are also a few other conditions you’ll need to meet and a few formalities you’ll need to fulfill. This is why it’s best to do your homework and make sure you know all there is to know about your rights and obligations.

Please note that if you’re self-employed, you are not covered by unemployment insurance in Belgium.

The Flemish Social Inspectorate is dedicated to preventing, investigating and advising on matters relating to workplace discrimination and the implementation of laws, rules and regulations related to employee rights in Flanders. Do you believe your rights as an employee have been violated? Have you suffered from discrimination at work? Inform the Flemish Social Inspectorate.