The Belgian labor market offers many opportunities for foreign workers. Salaries in Belgium are among the highest in the European Union. A minimum salary of 1,955 euros gross per month is sufficient to meet the needs of one adult. Belgium offers a high standard of living, making it an attractive country to work and live in.
Wage levels in Belgium
In 2024, the average annual salary in this country was 49,801.43 euros. Minimum salary in Belgium – 1955 euros gross per month. Average salary in Belgium is 3900-4600 euros gross per month. But differences in earnings are possible depending on the industry and level of education.
- Manufacturing worker earns 14 euros per hour in Belgium.
- Mason – 18-23 euros/hour.
- Carpenter – 17 euros/hour.
- Plumbing – 17 euros/hour.
- Cleaner – 13 euros/hour.
- Agricultural worker – 12 euros/hour.
- Furniture assembler – 19-20 euros/hour.
- Industrial electrician – 20-21 euros/hour.
- Air conditioner installer – 23-24 euros/hour.
Moreover, wages in the hotel and service sector are usually the lowest, while in industry and the IT sector they are much higher. For example, an air conditioning installer can earn 10 euros per hour more than the average office worker in Belgium.
Social guarantees for workers in Belgium
Belgium is a country where they try to create the most comfortable conditions for workers and provide social guarantees.
Benefit can be received by people who are in difficult financial situations and do not have sufficient funds to support themselves and their families. It will help cover basic living expenses. However, to qualify, you must meet the no-income criteria. Persons without Belgian citizenship can only apply for this benefit if they have the right to unlimited residence in Belgium. To do this, you need to contact CPAS (Community Center for Social Action), an institution that helps immigrants in need. It has a branch in every Belgian region and city district. The scope of his activities is very wide. You can receive financial assistance regardless of your origin or length of stay in Belgium. If you understand your situation correctly, CPAS can help with:
- settlement of social issues – provide financial and material assistance (clothing, furniture);
- registration of a temporary medical card, giving the right to free medical care;
- job search and referral to language courses and advanced training courses.
Family benefit in Belgium – a benefit intended to partially cover the costs associated with raising a child and providing him with adequate living conditions.
Unemployment benefits in Belgium provided by local offices of the National Employment Agency (RVA). Its size depends on age and length of service.
In the event of termination or expiration of the employment contract, the employer is obliged to issue a so-called document C, on the basis of which benefits will be assigned to the unemployed. To be eligible for benefits, an unemployed person must prove the appropriate number of days worked during a certain period, depending on his age. For people who worked full time:
- up to 36 years – 312 days\21 months from the date of loss of work;
- from 36 to 50 years – 468 days\33 months from the date of job loss;
- from 50 to 60 years – 624 days\ 42 months from the date of loss of work.
To obtain the right to benefit and its extension, the following conditions must be met:
- official registration in Belgium;
- ability and willingness to work;
- lack of other work and salary;
- active job search.
A person receiving unemployment benefits can leave Belgium for a maximum of 4 weeks per year.
The amount of unemployment benefit is 65% of the last gross salary for the first 3 months of receipt. Depending on length of service prior to job loss and marital status, it declines in subsequent periods of unemployment. In the following quarters it is 60%, then 50% and 40%, depending on the situation.
Young unemployed people who have completed or interrupted their education but are not yet employed can receive benefits after a mandatory one-year waiting period, provided they apply before they turn 25.
Maternity benefits in Belgium. The expectant mother, if she works, has the right to rest 6 weeks before the expected date of birth. She is also entitled to a week’s leave shortly before giving birth and 9 weeks of postnatal leave. Every young mother has the right to leave of at least 15 weeks, i.e. 4 months. Expectant fathers also have the right to 10 days of parental leave.
The amount of maternity benefit in Belgium is determined individually. For working women, its value is 82% of wages during the first 30 days and 75% thereafter. Unemployed mothers receive a basic benefit of 60% of their first month’s lost wages.
Working hours and working conditions in Belgium
The Belgian federal government website states that standard working hours are a maximum of 38 hours per week. The rule is that a standard working day can last a maximum of 8 hours – 6:00 to 20:00. However, there are many exceptions to these rules.
The 38 hours per week maximum rule can mean “an average of 38 hours per week over a specified period.” In this case, you can, for example, work 40 hours one week and 36 hours the next. However, in the standard system, weekly working hours should not exceed 40 hours (however, there are exceptions to this rule).
In a particular company, it may be that a 40-hour work week is the norm, but in return, employees receive 12 additional days off from work. This means one extra day off from work per month. When working a 40-hour week, an employee spends 8 more hours per month at work than when working a 38-hour week (assuming a month is approximately four weeks).
A system is also possible in which an employee works 39 hours a week, and in return the employee receives 6 additional days off per year.
In some sectors (paritair comité) the standard working week is even shorter than 38 hours per week. Provisions regarding the length of the working week are included in the collective labor agreement (collectieve arbeidsovereenkomst, CAO) in force in the industry.
Opportunities for professional development in Belgium
The Belgian labor market is an exciting place, where the diversity of professions and dynamically changing trends reflect the transformation of society.
Working in Belgium offers many benefits for employees:
- Flexibility – the ability to adapt your work schedule to personal needs, studies or other commitments.
- Career counseling – there are trade unions in every area, where they provide answers to all your questions related to employment, labor relations with employers, the rights and responsibilities of an employee.
- Multilingual support – different languages are spoken in Belgium, so language barriers will not prevent access to valuable information, services, and various administrative processes.
- Diverse Experience – the opportunity to work in different companies and sectors, gaining varied and enriching experience.
- Advanced training – the employer welcomes the professional development of employees, pays for acquisition and advanced training courses, internships at different enterprises and in different countries, which contributes to career growth.
Comfortable conditions for foreigners in Belgium
Persons not resident in Belgium must register at the municipal office. He will issue them with the appropriate residence permit. In Belgium, the stay of foreign citizens can be either temporary (séjour Non Permanent) or permanent (séjour Permanent), an application for which can be submitted to a municipal office:
- temporary residence – every EU citizen may be deprived of the right of temporary residence for the first 5 years if he does not meet the above conditions or if he becomes too great a burden on social assistance (CPAS/OCMW);
- permanent residence – after 5 years of continuous temporary residence, EU citizens can obtain the right to permanent residence. This right is lost if the person does not reside in Belgium for two consecutive years.
A foreigner can stay in Belgium for 3 months (tourist stay, which must be reported to the relevant authorities (usually the city hall or police station) within 10 days). Failure to comply with this requirement may result in a fine (200 euros). This obligation does not apply to people in hospitals, hotels or those under arrest.
A travel document giving the right to enter and stay (regardless of the purpose) in the Kingdom of Belgium for a period of up to 90 days is a valid passport or identity card. Before entering, you must ensure that the document is in good condition and allows you to confirm your identity. You should always have it with you. Lack of documents may result in a fine or temporary detention (however, this in itself is not considered grounds for deportation from the country).
A stay of more than three months is legally possible for a foreigner if he:
- is an employee hired under an employment contract (receives a salary) or runs his own business (non-salary);
- actively looking for work. The person applying for registration must convince the administration that he has a good chance of finding work. In 6-8 months her situation will be reviewed;
- is studying at one of the universities in Belgium and has health insurance;
- has enough money to support himself in Belgium and have health insurance.
Each employee in Belgium can work a maximum of 65 days per year under the seasonal work system. The exception is employment in the chicory harvest, which can last a maximum of 100 days a year. As well as employment in agricultural work, which can last a maximum of 30 days a year. An employee can be hired by different employers and combine orders.
The employment of a foreigner under the seasonal work system does not require a written contract or registration. Before starting seasonal work, each employee must receive a so-called harvest card (plukkaart/la carte de cueillette), an agricultural card (landbouwkaart/la carte agricole) or an occasional form once a year. The employer submits an application for a card or other form to the sectoral Social Fund. No matter how many employers a person works for, the same form must still be filled out every time.
High standard of living and social infrastructure in Belgium
Known for its exquisite chocolate, delicious French fries and other foods, a variety of beers and amazing architectural monuments, Belgium attracts tourists and migrant workers from all over the world. This country has a developed and diversified economy based on various sectors:
1. Industry. Belgium has a strong industrial sector, including steel, automobiles, electronics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food processing, machinery and equipment. Important industrial regions include: Limburg, Antwerp and Liege.
2. Services. The services sector plays an important role in the Belgian economy, especially in the areas of financial services, information technology, telecommunications, business services, tourism and transport.
3. Foreign trade: Belgium is an important player on the international stage in terms of foreign trade. Here is one of the largest seaports in Europe – the port of Antwerp, which is the main trading hub for many European countries. Belgium is home to many international organizations, which facilitates trade.
4. Finance. Belgium has a well-developed financial sector, and Brussels is one of the most important financial centers in Europe. The country is home to many banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions.
5. Innovation and research. Belgium invests heavily in research and innovation. The country has renowned universities and research institutes that contribute to the development of new technologies and solutions.
6. System of labor and taxation. The Belgian tax system is complex and covers many types of taxes, including income tax, VAT and property taxes. The country has high wages and an extensive social security system, including healthcare, pensions and unemployment benefits.
7. Medicine. In Belgium, the health insurance system is based on the principle of universal access to health care, which means that every resident and foreigner staying in the country has the right to basic health care. This system is mainly based on social insurance administered by a government agency, as well as private health insurance.
The main pillar of the Belgian healthcare system is the so-called “Social Security for Health”, which is compulsory for most working people and their families. Health insurance premiums are deducted directly from employees’ salaries. The unemployed and other social groups who do not pay contributions are covered by other forms of insurance that provide access to health care.
Belgium also has an extensive private health insurance system, which provides additional protection in the event of expensive medical procedures or faster access to certain medical services. These insurances are optional and can be purchased by individuals or employers as an additional benefit for employees.
Healthcare in Belgium is mainly public, but there are also many private clinics and doctors. Health insurance covers a range of services, including doctor visits, hospitalizations, prescription drugs, rehabilitation, dental care, and more.
8. Regulatory framework and permits in Belgium promote business creation and provide tax benefits to investors and employers. Combined with strong financial and legal systems, this environment encourages new investment in infrastructure and promotes competition among suppliers.
How to find a job in Belgium?
Find a job in Belgium possible both on a permanent and seasonal basis (picking fruits, vegetables, flowers or medicinal herbs). In the case of permanent work, caregivers are required to care for the elderly, sick people or nannies for children. There is also a demand for cleaners, catering specialists, beauty specialists, gardeners and foresters. The easiest ways to find work are in areas such as:
- industry,
- healthcare,
- construction,
- transport,
- logistics.
Finding a job occurs in several ways. You can respond to a job posting or submit your resume and application yourself, regardless of whether the company is hiring or not. Job openings are usually posted online or in the local press.
In these cases, there is a risk of falling for scammers offering illegal work, being left without money and being deported from the country.
It is safer to find a job in Belgium through the recruitment agency for work in Europe, Group Working. Its specialists provide access to a database of vacancies from trusted employers, help with finding suitable offers, obtaining visas and other necessary documents, and also accompany the process of official employment in Belgium and other countries of the European Union.
