--- title: "Moving to Belgium 2026: visas, requirements and tax" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-12 --- The Groenerei canal in Bruges lit up at dusk # Moving to Belgium 11 ways to move to Belgium in our guide: 1 working holiday visa, 2 business / startup routes, 4 work visas, 1 student visa, 3 spouse visas. No digital nomad visa. Checked against official sources on 12 October 2026. **Longest first stay:** **3 years** Innovation & Startup permit Belgium is a small, multilingual country at the centre of Europe, and its immigration system reflects that: routes are split by region and by purpose, and the paperwork usually starts before you arrive. Visas and tax are handled separately. Young citizens of the working holiday partner countries who want a long holiday with some work on the side Founders, freelancers and self-employed people setting up an activity in a Belgian region Highly qualified employees with a degree and a salaried job offer Employees being moved within their own company to a Belgian branch Students enrolling full-time at a recognised Belgian higher-education institution ## Working holiday · 1 ### [Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/working-holiday/) **Age limit and funds needed:** Ages 18–30 · €2,500 ≈ $2,790 Casual jobs OK Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/working-holiday/) ## Business / Startup · 2 ### [Innovation & Startup permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/innovation-startup-permit/) **Income needed:** €2,457+ a month ≈ $2,740 Stay 3 yrs, renewable [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/innovation-startup-permit/) ### [Self-employed professional card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/professional-card/) **Savings needed:** €23k+ ≈ $26k Stay 3 yrs, renewable [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/professional-card/) ## Work · 4 **Income needed:** from €2,234 a month ≈ $2,500 - [Researcher permit **Income needed:** €2,234+ a month ≈ $2,500](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/researcher-hosting-agreement/) - [Intra-company transfer permit **Income needed:** from €2,611 a month ≈ $2,920](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/ict-single-permit/) - [Highly qualified work permit **Income needed:** from €43k a year ≈ $48k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/single-permit-employment/) - [Blue Card **Income needed:** from €55k a year ≈ $62k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/eu-blue-card/) ## Student · 1 ### [Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/student-visa/) **Income needed:** €1,062+ a month ≈ $1,190 Can work: limited Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/student-visa/) ## Spouse visas · 3 For people married to, or in a partnership with, a citizen or permanent resident. ### [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/spouse-of-citizen/) **Income needed:** €2,457+ a month ≈ $2,740 Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/spouse-of-citizen/) ### [Spouse of a permanent resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/family-reunification-thirdcountry/) **Income needed:** €2,457+ a month ≈ $2,740 Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/family-reunification-thirdcountry/) ### [Spouse of a work-permit holder](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/spouse-of-single-permit-holder/) **Income needed:** €2,457+ a month ≈ $2,740 Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/spouse-of-single-permit-holder/) **Free movement and visa-free stays · 1** - **[EU free movement](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/free-movement-eu/)** · Lets you live here Open to 31 passports: [Austria](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/austria/), [Belgium](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/belgium/), [Bulgaria](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/bulgaria/), [Croatia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/croatia/), [Cyprus](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/cyprus/), [Czechia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/czechia/), [Denmark](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/denmark/), [Estonia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/estonia/), [Finland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/finland/), [France](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/france/), [Germany](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/germany/), [Greece](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/greece/), [Hungary](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/hungary/), [Iceland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/iceland/), [Ireland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/ireland/), [Italy](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/italy/), [Latvia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/latvia/), [Liechtenstein](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/liechtenstein/), [Lithuania](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/lithuania/), [Luxembourg](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/luxembourg/), [Malta](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/malta/), [Netherlands](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/netherlands/), [Norway](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/norway/), [Poland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/poland/), [Portugal](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/portugal/), [Romania](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/romania/), [Slovakia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/slovakia/), [Slovenia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/slovenia/), [Spain](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/spain/), [Sweden](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/sweden/), [Switzerland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/switzerland/). [Where each passport can live without a visa →](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/) ## Tax The records do not set out Belgian tax rules, so nothing here should be read as tax guidance. Visas and tax are separate matters: your permit route decides whether you may stay and work, while your tax position is worked out separately, including how any foreign-source income is treated. Standard rules ### [Ordinary taxation of Belgian tax residents on worldwide income](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/tax/#tax-be-worldwide-residence-baseline) Progressive rates **Details** - On: Worldwide income of Belgian tax residents - Limit: €17k/yr ≈ $19k Belgian tax residents declare income received worldwide, including foreign-source income, taxed in progressive brackets of 25%, 40%, 45% and 50% (income year 2026: 25% up to EUR 16,720, (≈ $18,700) 50% above EUR 51,070 (≈ $57,100)). Non-residents are taxed only on Belgian-source income. #### Taxed on Worldwide income of Belgian tax residents; the basic personal tax allowance is applied as a tax reduction at the 25% rate on the allowance amount. Belgian-source income only for non-residents, who receive the full allowance only if at least 75% of their professional income is taxable in Belgium. #### Who it applies to - Tax resident (inhabitant of the Kingdom): a person with a domicile in Belgium, or if there is no domicile, the primary location of assets in Belgium; registration in the National Register creates a rebuttable presumption of residence. - Double taxation treaties may give the other country the right to tax foreign-source income; Belgium then exempts it with a progression clause (the exempt income still raises the rate on other income). #### Exclusions - Certain foreign-source income that must be declared can qualify for full or partial exemption under conditions. #### Limits - EUR 16,720 a year (≈ $18,700) · Income year 2026 (assessment year 2027): 25% on taxable income up to this amount (EUR 16,320 (≈ $18,200) for income year 2025). - EUR 29,510 a year (≈ $33,000) · Income year 2026: 40% on the part of taxable income from EUR 16,720 (≈ $18,700) to this amount (EUR 28,800 (≈ $32,200) for income year 2025). - EUR 51,070 a year (≈ $57,100) · Income year 2026: 45% on the part from EUR 29,510 (≈ $33,000) to this amount, and 50% on the part above it (EUR 28,800 (≈ $32,200) to 49,840 at 45% for income year 2025). - EUR 11,180 a year (≈ $12,500) · Basic personal tax allowance, income year 2026 (EUR 10,910 (≈ $12,200) for income year 2025); applied as a tax exemption equal to 25% of this amount, and higher with dependent children or other family situations. #### Tax residence Domicile means the place where a person effectively and permanently resides; for married persons or legal cohabitants it is the place where the household is established. The primary location of assets is the centre of economic activities or patrimonial interests. A person who keeps the main domicile and family abroad while working in Belgium for a limited time stays a non-resident. The earlier special regime for foreign executives was abolished (Circular 2022/C/9) and replaced by the inpatriate regime. #### Visas Independent of the residence permit. Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/tax/) Special regime ### [Special tax regime for inpatriate taxpayers and researchers](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/tax/#tax-be-inpatriate-regime) Tax relief **Details** - Limit: €70k/yr ≈ $78k Employers can bear certain costs of staff recruited from abroad on top of salary, and the tax authority treats them as the employer's own expenses instead of taxable pay. Since 1 January 2025 recurring costs can reach 35% of remuneration with no EUR 90,000 (≈ $101,000) cap, and the salary threshold for employees is EUR 70,000 (≈ $78,200). #### Taxed on Costs borne by the Belgian employer in addition to salary: recurring costs of working in Belgium up to 35% of gross remuneration, plus moving costs, home fit-out in the first six months and school fees at private or international schools. #### Who it applies to - Employee or company director recruited directly abroad by a Belgian company, a Belgian branch of a foreign company or an association with legal personality, or seconded to one by a foreign group company, to work in Belgium. - Not a Belgian inhabitant, not living within 150 km of the Belgian border and not a non-resident taxpayer on Belgian professional income in the 60 months before starting work in Belgium. - Employees and directors earn more than the salary threshold from the Belgian employer; researchers have no salary threshold. - Researchers mainly (at least 80% of working time) do scientific, industrial or technical research and hold a doctorate or master's in a listed science field, or have at least 10 years of relevant experience. - The employer applies electronically within three months of the start date with the employee's signed attestation; the tax administration decides within three months. #### Exclusions - Company directors who founded the company or hold 30% or more of its shares are not covered as executives. - Recurring costs above 35% of remuneration are not treated as the employer's own expenses. #### Limits - EUR 70,000 a year (≈ $78,200) · Gross annual remuneration for inpatriate employees and directors must exceed this amount (EUR 75,000 (≈ $83,800) before 1 January 2025); not required for researchers. #### Tax residence The regime applies while the employee works in Belgium, up to 5 years, and is extended by 3 years if the employer conditions and salary threshold still hold. Employees who started between 1 January 2025 and the tenth day after publication of the 2025 law and missed only the old EUR 75,000 (≈ $83,800) threshold can still apply within three months of that date. #### Visas Relates to employment in Belgium and is independent of the residence permit. Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026, some details partly verified [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/tax/) Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) **No digital nomad visa in Belgium.** Remote workers usually look at [Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/working-holiday/), or [nomad visas elsewhere](https://settleanywhere.com/visas/digital-nomad/). ## Arriving in Belgium: first steps 1. Check which region your activity or employer falls under, since the professional card and single permit are handled by Flanders, Wallonia or Brussels-Capital. 2. Arrange health insurance that meets the requirement for your route — Schengen or Belgian cover for students, and proof of health insurance for the single permit. 3. Gather the supporting documents your route names, such as police and medical certificates, proof of sufficient means, and your contract or admission letter. 4. Keep your address and registration paperwork in order once you arrive, as residence formalities follow the visa. 5. Open a Belgian bank account for salary, rent and everyday payments. 6. If you are on the Blue Card and later change employer, remember the notification rule and the short restriction at the start. ## Questions people ask ### Does Belgium have a working holiday visa? Yes. Belgium has 1 working holiday visa. [Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/working-holiday/) is for ages 18 to 30 and gives a first stay of 1 year. ### Can I move to Belgium by starting a business? Belgium has 2 business or startup routes. [Innovation & Startup permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/innovation-startup-permit/) asks for an income of at least EUR 2,456.96 a month (≈ $2,740) and gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed. [Self-employed professional card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/professional-card/) asks for savings of at least EUR 22,838 (≈ $25,500) and gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed. ### What work visas does Belgium offer foreigners? Belgium has 4 work visas. [Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/eu-blue-card/) asks for a salary from EUR 55,052 a year (≈ $61,500) and gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed. [Researcher permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/researcher-hosting-agreement/) asks for a salary of at least EUR 2,233.61 a month (≈ $2,500). [Highly qualified work permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/single-permit-employment/) asks for a salary from EUR 42,576 a year (≈ $47,600). ### How do I get a student visa for Belgium? Belgium has 1 student visa. [Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/student-visa/) asks for an income of at least EUR 1,062 a month (≈ $1,190). ### Can I join my spouse or partner in Belgium? Yes. Belgium has 3 spouse visas. [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/spouse-of-citizen/) asks for an income of at least EUR 2,456.97 a month (≈ $2,740). [Spouse of a permanent resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/family-reunification-thirdcountry/) asks for an income of at least EUR 2,456.97 a month (≈ $2,740). [Spouse of a work-permit holder](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/spouse-of-single-permit-holder/) asks for an income of at least EUR 2,456.97 a month (≈ $2,740). ## Compare with [🇵🇹 Portugal](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/) [🇪🇸 Spain](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/) [🇬🇪 Georgia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/) [🇮🇹 Italy](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/) [🇬🇷 Greece](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/) [🇩🇪 Germany](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/) [🇫🇷 France](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/) [🇬🇧 United Kingdom](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.