Authorisations to work

• nationals of the European Union, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein or Switzerland;
• students, asylum seekers, nationals with subsidiary protection status, on humanitarian grounds, family reunification, etc.

Consult the list of residence situations that lead to an exemption. (royal decree dated 2 September 2018)

Who should a foreign national who is in one of those situations contact?

The foreign national who is in one of the listed residence situations (Royal Decree of 2 September 2018) has to request a residence document from his or her municipality (population and/or foreigners department). This document automatically entitles him or her to work in Belgium. The foreign national does not need to apply for an employment authorisation with the Brussels Capital Region, the Flemish Region or the Walloon Region.

The foreign national must gather the information and documentation relating to his or her residence situation or request it from his or her municipality (population and/or foreigners department). He or she should not contact Brussels Economy and Employment. "Residence" matters are a federal competency and thus not dealt with by the Regions. Brussels Economy and Employment refrains from any examination, information or declaration regarding particular residence situations and the related work permits, if any.

The exemption is generally limited to 90 days.

Use the guide to check whether you are exempt or you need to apply for authorisation. 

(Decree of the Government of the Brussels Capital Region implementing the Ordinance of 1 February 2024 on economic migration) 

In some cases, depending on the position and employment conditions, foreign nationals are exempt from authorisation to work (teleworking from abroad, cross-border workers, employment for a maximum of 90 days). 

Use the guide to check whether you are exempt or you need to apply for authorisation. 

(Decree of the Government of the Brussels Capital Region implementing the Ordinance of 1 February 2024 on economic migration)

Who needs to request the authorisation?

The employer or their agent needs to request an authorisation to employ a foreign national in Belgium.
The employer or their agent fills out the application form, dates it and signs it. In some cases, this form must also be signed by foreign worker.
The applicant needs to be a natural person lawfully residing in Belgium.
That means that an employer established abroad, for whom an employee comes to Belgium to work there temporarily, needs the services of an agent. In that case, the agent's mandate must be attached to the application.

In only two cases, it's only the foreign worker who needs to request an authorisation to work in Belgium.

Who should you contact?

Read the following pages and send your application to Brussels Economy and Employment if the intended work location is situated in the Brussels Capital Region. To determine the work location: see article 7 of the Cooperation Agreement (.pdf). Teleworking from abroad for an employer established in the Brussels Capital Region is also possible. In this case, authorisation to work is still generally required.

What type of authorisation to apply for

Use the guide to check what type of authorisation is required.