Belgium is a prosperous EU state with a stable economy, favorable environmental conditions and mild climate, which attracts not only tourists, but also labor migrants from the CIS countries. It is quite possible to find a job in Belgium, but before embarking on a search, the applicant should learn about all the features of the Belgian labor market.
Economic situation
In the ranking of all countries in the world in terms of living standards, Belgium ranks 17th, in terms of GDP it is in 24th place, but the general indicators of social security of the country's citizens are much higher than the European average. This is due to the fact that almost half (44,8%) of gross domestic product the government spends on services and goods for the population.
The unemployment rate in Belgium is about 6.9%, but among young people this figure reaches up to 23%... The average net salary in the country is higher than in neighboring countries and amounts to 1530 euros per month, but wages largely depend on the qualifications of the worker and the region. Brussels residents have the highest incomes (on average 2050 euro), in small towns much lower - 1,700-1850 euros.
Features of work in Belgium
Despite the fairly high unemployment rate, it is quite possible to find a job in Belgium. The most in demand in the country are highly qualified specialists with knowledge of the English language, ideally, the ability to communicate in French, Dutch and German.
With the right approach to business, a Ukrainian, Russian or Belarusian can quickly find a job in Belgium - experienced migrants argue that the attitude towards immigrants from the former USSR is more tolerant in the country than in Poland, Italy or Portugal.
Employment benefits for foreigners include:
- high pay, including unskilled labor;
- social security for workers (including housing and food, often free);
- good standard of living (medicine, roads, quality of water and food);
- the opportunity to get a job for people over 40 years old.
The disadvantages include a high level of taxes and corruption in management structures - in terms of bribery, Belgium is in the first lines of the ratings. Competition in the labor market is quite high, especially when it comes to highly paid professions.
The most demanded professions
The most popular professions in Belgium are narrow specialties (engineers, IT specialists, doctors), but sometimes there is a need for unskilled labor.
The most relevant vacancies in 2021 are:
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- IT specialists;
- doctors;
- builders (electricians, welders, plasterers, bricklayers);
- engineers;
- junior nursing staff;
- secretaries;
- English teachers in schools;
- social workers (caring for the elderly and disabled).
The overwhelming majority of employers offer foreigners accommodation and meals, sometimes free of charge, so, as a rule, there are no problems with housing.
| Speciality | Average salary, euros |
| Doctor | 5000 |
| Engineer, IT Specialist | 3300–3700 |
| Builder | 2800 |
| Transport worker (driver, mechanic) | 2500 |
| Junior nursing staff | 2000 |
| Service and technical staff | 700–1300 |
How to find a job without intermediaries
You can search for vacancies on specialized job search sites, as well as using various resources. Also, there are still agencies in the country that offer similar services.
Popular job search sites
You can find a job in Belgium using Russian-language sites where vacancies are often posted, as well as through popular employment websites:
- www.careerjet.be;
- www.learn4good.com;
- www.jobat.be;
Specialized resources, agencies
In addition, there are specialized resources for doctors www.medweb.be. You can search for jobs in local newspapers - The European Voice, The Bulletin, Le Soir etc., or contact recruiting agencies (for example, Golden Pages).
Employment types
Residents of the CIS who arrived in Belgium to work have one type of employment available - by contract. The term and conditions of the contract depend on the characteristics of the professional activity and the employer. Students who study in the country can work part-time, and only citizens of the state and EU residents, in rare cases, highly qualified specialists from other countries, can count on permanent employment.
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Work without knowing the language
Foreigners who do not know English, German or Dutch can only rely on unskilled types of work - builders, workers on farms and enterprises, cleaners, maids. In addition, such employment will be illegal.
Seasonal work
Seasonal work in Belgium lasts from 3 to 6 months and includes harvesting on farms, serving tourists in hotels or working as a guide (requires knowledge of German, English or Dutch).
Temporary job
For part-time work, foreigners can get the following positions:
- worker (sorter, packer) in a chocolate or toy factory;
- waiter, bartender;
- wholesale promoter;
- maid, cleaning lady;
- seller, cashier.
Other options
Young people aged 18-25 can take part in the program Au-Pair - its participants can spend one year in the country, work, live in a family, study language and culture. Most often, the Belgians take young girls who agree to help with the housework and look after the children. Payment is about 500 euros a month, but food and accommodation are free. Builders, nannies, hotel workers and drivers can get a job on a shift basis - depending on the contract, the shift lasts from 20 to 180 days.
Official employment procedure
To find a job in Belgium, a migrant needs to collect a package of documents and perform a certain algorithm of actions.
Priority of actions:
- Find a vacant place and settle all questions orally.
- Sign an employment agreement.
- Obtain permits for work.
- Obtain a work visa and a residence permit (for those who travel to Belgium for more than 3 months).
Contract of employment
Types of work permits
There are three main types of work permits in Belgium:
- Category A gives an opportunity to work in any field and a free change of employer;
- Category B - standard type of permit, issued for a period not exceeding a year for one job;
- Category C issued to those who are temporarily in the country (students, refugees, family members of diplomats, etc.).
Highly qualified specialists have the opportunity to obtain an EU Blue Card, which gives foreigners serious privileges.
Categories that do not require a work permit
Without a work permit in Belgium, only citizens of the country and EU states, as well as foreigners participating in state programs (for example, family reunification programs), can find employment. In all other cases, the migrant needs to draw up the appropriate documents.
List of documents
The documents required for employment include:
- a passport issued no earlier than 12 months before the trip with two blank pages;
- passport;
- visa forms completed and signed with your own hand;
- 3 photographs and a standard medical certificate;
- work permit and invitation from the employer;
- certificate of absence of problems with the law.
A sample of filling out a new application for a visa to Belgium can be downloaded here
A sample completed Schengen application for Belgium can be downloaded here
Registration of a work visa
For employment in Belgium, you must apply for a D-type work visa - for this, the applicant submits the relevant documents to the Consulate of the country, after which he comes for an interview at the appointed time. Further, the employees of the Consulate make a decision about which the future migrant will be notified in writing.
Criteria for the selection of candidates for the job
Belgian employers pay attention to the knowledge of the language, education and qualifications of the future employee. People with diplomas from European universities have the most chances to find a job - in other cases, a person will have to prove their experience. The trial period for applicants lasts from 14 to 30 days.
Work visa extension
A work visa can only be extended by a person with a category B permit, which requires an application from the employer. It must be submitted no later than one month before the expiration date of the document. If the application has not been received, the foreigner must leave the state or apply for another permit.
Business immigration
There are no clear requirements for the size of investments or business experience in Belgium - a company is opened in the name of a businessman, and the authorities provide assistance in its registration. The entrepreneur receives the right to social security and residence in the country for 3 years, and after 4 years (subject to the law) he can become a citizen of Belgium.
Features of internship in the country
Belgium offers many internship programs, including paid work. Most often, young people specializing in the field of international relations are invited for practice. The duration of the internship is 5-6 months, the average salary of an intern is 500 Euro.
Consequences of illegal work
For illegal work in Belgium, a migrant faces deportation with a lifelong ban on entry into the country, and his employer faces a high fine.
Employment in Belgium is associated with certain difficulties, but the high standard of living and wages in this country is worth it to go through all the formalities and bureaucratic procedures.
