Athlete, trainer, ...

If the non-European worker is an athlete, trainer, assistant or referee, the necessity to obtain an authorisation, and the type of authorisation that needs to be requested depends on where the employer is established, how much the worker earns and how long he or she is staying in Belgium.

A person employed by an employer abroad is coming to Brussels to take part in an international sports event.

Athlete, assistant, referee, official delegate, staff member, other person accredited or authorised by
Three months at most

You do not need to ask Brussels Economy and Employment for employment authorisation in order to work in Belgium. (automatic exemption by virtue of article 2,16 of the royal decree dated 9 June 1999)

A professional athlete or trainer is coming to work in Belgium for more than 90 days. Their yearly remuneration exceeds 88.320 € (6.873,15 x 12,85).

(Art. 9,11 of the royal decree dated 9 June 1999)

Apply for a single permit

The professional athlete or trainer is coming to work in Belgium for maximum 90 days (except when it concerns an international sports competition as mentioned in point 1). Their yearly remuneration exceeds 88.320 € (6.873,15 x 12,85).

(Art. 9,11 of the royal decree dated 9 June 1999)

Apply for a work permit

(In case of successive jobs without any interruption, the previous periods are taken into account to calculate the 90 days. If the 90 days are exceeded, see procedure single permit.)

Does this not apply to you?

Check the page "Other case".

Regulation

Cooperation agreement dated 2 February 2018 on the coordination of the policies with regard to granting employment authorisations and residence permits, as well as the norms pertaining to the employment and residence of foreign workers (.pdf)

Cooperation agreement dated 6 December 2018 implementing the cooperation agreement of 2 February 2018 on coordination between policies on work permits and residence permits and the legislation on employment and residence of foreign workers

Law dated 15 December 1980 on access to the territory, residence, establishment and removal of foreigners

Royal decree dated 6 June 2019 amending the Royal decree dated 8 October 1981 concerning access to the country, the residence, the location and expulsion of foreign nationals

Royal decree dated 2 September 2018 implementing the law dated 9 May 2018 with regard to the employment of foreign nationals in a specific residence situation

Royal Decree dated 24 December 2020 amending the Royal decree dated 8 octobre 1981 concerning access to the territory, the residence, the location and expulsion of foreign nationals benefiting from the agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland from EU (.pdf)

Law of 16 December 2020 on the beneficiaries of the agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the EU and the EAEC

Notice concerning personal data (.pdf)