Belgium - Increases in immigration salary thresholds from 1 January 2023
Summary
Effective 1 January 2023, the minimum immigration salary threshold for foreign employees will increase in Belgium. This increase will impact new and pending applications, as well as valid permits.
Background
A number of Belgian work and single permits specify an immigration salary threshold required for an individual to qualify, some of which are reviewed annually.
As of 1 January 2019, the three Belgian regions (Brussels, Flanders and Wallonia) started to introduce regional variations in immigration policy, leading to different immigration salary thresholds in the different regions.
Salary levels
Effective 1 January 2023, the immigration salary thresholds will be as follows:
Salary levels 2023 |
Flanders |
Brussels | Wallonia |
Highly qualified employees |
EUR 45.984 |
EUR 47.174 | EUR 47.175 |
Highly qualified employees linked to an employer established in Belgium, insofar as the employee:
|
EUR 36.787,20 |
N/A | N/A |
Managerial employees |
EUR 73.574 |
EUR 78.704 | EUR 78.704 |
EU blue card |
EUR 55.181 |
EUR 60.998 | EUR 60.998 |
Intra-corporate transferee specialist |
EUR 45.984 |
EUR 48.798 | EUR 48.799 |
Intra-corporate transferee trainee |
EUR 45.984 |
EUR 30.499 | EUR 30.499 |
Intra-corporate transferee manager |
EUR 73.574 |
EUR 60.998 | EUR 60.998 |
In detail
Valid permit holders: Employers must ensure that the salary of foreign workers already legally employed in Belgium will meet the updated threshold as from 1 January 2023.
Initial and renewal applications: Employers looking to obtain or renew a work authorization as from 1 January 2023 must ensure they meet these new thresholds. Applications that do not meet the minimum salary threshold will not be approved.
Pending applications: Employers with pending work authorization applications with a foreseen start date as from 1 January 2023 must increase the salary as from 1 January 2023 to ensure compliance with this updated rule.
What to do next
Employers should review and update the salaries of their current and future foreign national employees, employed or to be employed in Belgium under one of the abovementioned schemes.
Questions? Contact the immigration professional with whom you work at EY.
