(BELGIUM) Belgium will move to a faster, simpler “single permit” process for non‑EU workers, with a strict decision deadline of 90 days once an application is complete, aligning with the new EU Single Permit rules under Directive (EU) 2024/1233. The change is being prepared now and must be fully in place by May 21, 2026, the EU transposition deadline. As of August 22, 2025, officials and regional administrations are gearing up for earlier rollouts next year, while unions, employers, and legal experts push for clear guardrails to make the promised speed a reality.
What the single permit does and why the directive changed it
The single permit combines the right to live and work in Belgium in one authorization. Today, the official maximum decision time is four months after the file is declared complete, and many applicants still wait longer in practice.
Under the EU’s updated approach:
– Once a file is deemed “admissible” (all required documents are in and the file is complete), authorities must issue a decision within 90 days.
– The European Union adopted the updated directive on April 24, 2024, aiming to fix slow processes, uneven rules, and gaps that exposed workers to risk.
Key deadlines and obligations
- EU transposition deadline for Belgium: May 21, 2026.
- Decision deadline after admissibility under the directive: 90 days (down from Belgium’s current practice of 120 days after admissibility).
- After arrival in Belgium, the worker must register with the local municipality within 8 days.
Critical point: the 90‑day clock starts only after the admissibility check. Without limits on how long that screening takes, the 90‑day promise can be undermined.
Main challenges for Belgium
Belgium faces two central tasks:
1. Transpose the EU rules into national and regional law by May 21, 2026.
2. Ensure the 90‑day clock produces real-world results by preventing lengthy admissibility checks.
Regional teams handle admissibility screening and report efforts to improve staffing and digital tools. However, they also point to rising volumes and more complex case mixes that risk delays.
What the directive adds (beyond a faster deadline)
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the directive also:
– Adds automatic extension of status during permit renewals so workers do not fall out of status while they wait.
– Allows more people to file in Belgium if they are already here legally, including on short‑stay visas.
– Builds in better transparency for workers who want to change employers.
These innovations should reduce stress for families and make hiring decisions easier for companies — if agencies can keep up.
Recent data and demand context
- Belgium issued nearly 21,000 single permits in 2023.
- Flanders: about 65% of those permits.
- The remainder split between Brussels and Wallonia.
- Across the EU, about 3.9 million permits were issued in 2023.
- Demand is driven by skilled and shortage‑occupation workers and post‑pandemic hiring. Employers stress that faster decisions are essential for project planning and retaining offers.
How the process will work in practice
Steps under the new system (familiar but tighter timelines):
1. Employer or authorized Belgian representative submits the application through the regional “Working in Belgium” portal.
2. The regional authority checks completeness and labels the file admissible if all documents are present.
3. From that admissibility date, the region and the federal Immigration Office must issue a joint decision within 90 days.
4. If approved, the worker receives a combined residence-and-work permit; refusals are notified to both employer and applicant.
5. After arrival, the worker must register at the municipality within 8 days.
6. During renewals, the worker’s status continues automatically while the request is processed.
Benefits for workers and families
- Automatic extensions during renewals prevent gaps in health coverage, payroll, and travel rights.
- In‑country filing rights for those legally present (including short‑stay visa holders) reduce travel costs and family separations.
- Clearer rules for employer changes help workers retain rights during transitions — useful in fast-moving sectors like tech and life sciences.
Benefits and caveats for employers
- A firm 90 days after admissibility improves predictability and planning.
- Employers should note: predictability begins only when the file is complete. The admissibility screen is the key uncertainty.
- Business groups recommend:
- Full digitalization,
- Clear document checklists,
- More staff at peak times,
to reduce hidden delays.
Regional complexity and coordination
- Belgium splits responsibilities: labor approval is regional, while residence authorization is federal.
- Each region (Flanders, Brussels, Wallonia) manages intake and checks, causing:
- Different backlogs,
- Different workflows,
- Potential coordination gaps.
- Regional ministries plan to streamline steps and coordinate earlier with the federal level to meet new timelines.
Legal and policy considerations
- Member States retain choices over document lists, language requirements, and thresholds.
- Therefore, how admissibility is defined determines when the 90‑day clock starts.
- Many legal experts recommend a specific maximum calendar limit for the admissibility check in regional decrees or guidance to avoid merely shifting delays.
Real-life examples and stakes
- A logistics firm in Limburg relying on a non‑EU specialist needs a predictable start window; the 90‑day deadline aids planning.
- A health clinic in Wallonia hiring a non‑EU nurse benefits from automatic renewal extension, preventing work interruptions.
These tangible gains are the directive’s intended outcomes — provided the admissibility step is handled swiftly.
Remaining friction points and stakeholder suggestions
Stakeholders identify several friction points and proposed fixes:
– Risk: delays could shift from decision-making to the admissibility screening if no deadline is set.
– Unions: chronic understaffing and training gaps, especially for complex files.
– Legal experts: propose a short, firm target for the completeness check (e.g., a maximum number of calendar days).
– Employers: request reliable portals with consistent uptime, clear status tracking, and instant alerts for missing items.
Implementation and transitional realities
- Belgium will likely phase in improvements before full transposition.
- Some applicants may see faster decisions in particular categories or regions during transition.
- Mixed speeds can cause confusion; clear public guidance is needed to explain which files benefit early and which still follow 120 days.
- A suggested practical tool: a single national noticeboard updated monthly with current timelines and regional performance.
Practical advice: how employers and workers can prepare now
Employers:
– Audit document packs and assemble complete files before submission.
– Map realistic start dates and allow time for admissibility checks.
– Assign a single contact to monitor file status and reply quickly to requests.
– Build backup plans in case start dates slip.
Workers and families:
– Keep passports, diplomas, and contracts in a single, well‑named folder.
– Track expiry dates and apply early for renewals to benefit from automatic extension.
– If eligible under Directive (EU) 2024/1233, consider applying in‑country to avoid travel.
– Plan school enrollment and travel with the decision window in mind.
Administrative and technical improvements that would help
- Smarter intake filters to flag incomplete files early.
- Better checklists and early requests for missing documents.
- Shared dashboards between regional and federal offices to reduce handover times.
- Data reuse for renewals and intra‑company transfers to reduce repetitive requests.
Where to follow official updates
Belgium’s federal channels publish policy updates and practical guidance for foreign workers and employers. The Federal Immigration Office provides official information on the residence side of the single permit pathway, including rules, timelines, and guidance: https://dofi.ibz.be. Applicants and companies should monitor these pages closely over the next year as regional instructions evolve.
Final assessment: what will determine success
- The directive’s move from 120 days to 90 days after admissibility is more than technical — it addresses everyday disruptions (school enrollment, payroll, travel).
- The most important test: whether Belgium sets a binding time limit for the admissibility check and pairs that with improved staffing and digital tools.
- If regions set clear admissibility targets and coordinate in near‑real time with the federal level, applicants should see more uniform, predictable service whether filing in Antwerp, Brussels, or Liège.
Key takeaway: The promise of a decision within 90 days once a file is complete can become reality — but only if the admissibility step is time‑limited, offices are sufficiently staffed, and digital systems support fast, transparent processing.
This Article in a Nutshell
Directive (EU) 2024/1233 requires Belgium to deliver single permit decisions within 90 days after admissibility, with transposition due May 21, 2026. The main risk is unbounded admissibility screening; fixes need explicit limits, staffing, and digital tools. The directive also adds automatic renewal extensions and wider in-country filing rights.
