Belgium Immigration Update: Key Salary and Payroll Changes for 2025

As of January 1, 2025, Belgium has implemented significant changes to its immigration policies, specifically regarding salary thresholds for third-country nationals working in the country. These adjustments affect new, pending, and existing work permits.

Here’s a quick rundown of the updated salary requirements and what steps you need to take.

Key changes to salary thresholds

1. Salary increases across all regions:
   • Belgium has raised salary thresholds across its three regions: Brussels, Flanders, and Wallonia. Brussels applies monthly salary thresholds, while Flanders and Wallonia use annual thresholds.
   • Wallonia also introduced prorated salary thresholds for employees working part-time or with flexible schedules, which will impact salary calculations.
2. Categories affected:
   • Highly qualified employees: The salary threshold for highly qualified employees increases in all regions. For example, in Flanders, it’s EUR 48,912 (up from EUR 46,632), and in Brussels, it rises to EUR 3,703.44 per month (from EUR 3,591.12).
   • Managers (excluding ICTs): In Flanders, the new salary threshold is EUR 78,259 (up from EUR 74,611), and in Wallonia, it increases to EUR 86,110 (up from EUR 83,936).
   • EU Blue Card applicants: For these applicants, salaries have risen, particularly in Brussels, where the threshold is now EUR 4,748 (up from EUR 4,604).
3. Reduced salary for specific categories in Wallonia:
   • Wallonia has introduced a reduced salary threshold for highly qualified employees under 30 or those employed as nurses. These employees will need to meet 80% of the standard salary threshold.

Action required for employers

To remain compliant with the updated salary thresholds, employers must:

• Review current salaries: Ensure that the salaries of existing employees, particularly those on work permits, meet the new thresholds. Adjustments must be made immediately to ensure compliance.
• New applications and renewals: Any new applications or renewals filed after January 1, 2025, must meet the revised salary requirements, even if the application was submitted before the deadline.

Updated salary threshold breakdown

As an employer, what should I do now?

To ensure compliance with Belgium’s updated salary requirements:

• Adjust salaries: Employers should immediately review and adjust salaries to meet the new thresholds, particularly for employees on work permits.
• Coordinate with immigration authorities: Ensure that any new applications or renewals meet the revised thresholds. This applies to both work permits and visa renewals for employees with a start date in 2025.
• Account for regional variations: Employers in Wallonia should pay special attention to the prorated salary thresholds for part-time employees and those working fewer hours.