Belgium has announced updated minimum salary thresholds for work permits and single permits that will apply in 2026, determining whether non-EU nationals can legally work in the country. The new rules confirm that salary levels remain a key condition for approving employment-based residence applications.
The update was released on January 26th 2026 and reported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). According to DAAD, Belgium’s three regions, Brussels, Wallonia, and Flanders, will continue to apply separate salary thresholds based on where the job is located.
Different Salary Rules by Region
Belgium does not apply a single national salary threshold for foreign workers. Instead, requirements depend on the region of employment.
The Brussels Region confirmed that its monthly salary thresholds remain unchanged from 2025. Employers and applicants will continue to apply the same figures as last year.
Wallonia published new annual gross salary requirements for 2026. These thresholds have been increased and apply to new work permit and single permit applications submitted this year.
Flanders will temporarily continue using 2025 annual salary standards. The region is waiting for updated wage data from Belgium’s statistical office, Statbel. Once the new data is released, Flanders is expected to update its thresholds within one month.
Minimum Salary Thresholds for 2026
For highly skilled workers, the minimum required salary is €3,703.44 per month in Brussels, €53,220 per year in Wallonia, and €48,912 per year in Flanders.
Highly skilled workers under the age of 30 must earn at least €42,576 per year in Wallonia. In Flanders, workers under 30 on a local contract must earn €39,129.60 per year.
For management positions, the required salary is €6,647.20 per month in Brussels, €88,790 per year in Wallonia, and €78,259 per year in Flanders.
Intra-corporate specialists must earn €4,510.20 per month in Brussels, €55,053 per year in Wallonia, and €48,912 per year in Flanders. Intra-corporate trainees must earn €2,611.40 per month in Brussels and €34,408 per year in Wallonia, while Flanders applies an annual threshold of €48,912.
EU Blue Card applicants must meet salary levels of €4,748 per month in Brussels, €68,815 per year in Wallonia, and €55,052 per year in Flanders.
Consequences of Not Meeting Salary Requirements
Belgium’s work permit system is salary-based. If an employment contract does not meet the minimum salary threshold, the application for a work permit or single permit may be refused.
Authorities have stated that non-compliance can lead to delays, requests for contract revisions, or rejection of applications. Employers may also face administrative fines, financial penalties, and obligations to pay outstanding taxes and social security contributions. Criminal sanctions may apply in serious cases.
What Applicants Should Check
Applicants planning to work in Belgium in 2026 are advised to confirm the region where their job is based, verify the gross salary stated in their contract, and compare it with the official regional thresholds. Applicants working in Flanders should also monitor updates from Statbel, as salary requirements may change during the year.
The 2026 update confirms that meeting the regional salary threshold remains a central condition for obtaining a Belgian work permit or single permit.
