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Increases in immigration salary thresholds from 1 January 2024

Effective 1 January 2024, the minimum immigration salary threshold for foreign employees will increase in Belgium. This increase will impact new and pending applications, as well as valid permits.

Background

A number of Belgian work and single permits specify an immigration salary threshold required for an individual to qualify, some of which are reviewed annually.

As of 1 January 2019, the three Belgian regions (Brussels, Flanders and Wallonia) started to introduce regional variations in immigration policy, leading to different immigration salary thresholds in the different regions.

Salary levels

Effective 1 January 2024, the immigration salary thresholds will be as follows: 

Salary levels 2024
Flanders
Brussels
Wallonia
Highly qualified employees

EUR 46.632

EUR 50.310

EUR 50.310

Highly qualified employees linked to an employer established in Belgium, insofar as the employee:

  • Has not reached the age of 30; or
  • is employed as a nurse
EUR 37.305,60

N/A

N/A

Managerial employees
EUR 74.611
EUR 83.936
EUR 83.936
EU blue card 
EUR 55.958
EUR 65.053
EUR 65.053
Intra-corporate transferee specialist
EUR 46.632
EUR 52.042
EUR 52.042
Intra-corporate transferee trainee
EUR 46.632
EUR 32.526
EUR 32.327
Intra-corporate transferee manager

EUR 74.611
EUR 65.053
EUR 65.053

In detail

Valid permit holders: Employers must ensure that the salary of foreign workers already legally employed in Belgium will meet the updated threshold as from 1 January 2024.

Initial and renewal applications: Employers looking to obtain or renew a work authorization as from 1 January 2024 must ensure they meet these new thresholds. Applications that do not meet the minimum salary threshold will not be approved.

Pending applications: Employers with pending work authorization applications with a foreseen start date as from 1 January 2024 must increase the salary as from 1 January 2024 to ensure compliance with this updated rule.
 

What to do next

Employers should review and update the salaries of their current and future foreign national employees, employed or to be employed in Belgium under one of the abovementioned schemes.

Questions? Contact the immigration professional with whom you work at EY.