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This guide is for British citizens travelling for business or other work purposes. It explains what employers, employees, or the self-employed need to do if they need a visa or permit.

This information is provided as a guide only. You must always check the exact application process and document requirements with Belgium鈥檚 or .

Entry requirements

If you鈥檙e going to Belgium to work (or any other EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein) you must make sure you meet passport and other travel requirements.听

Belgium is in the Schengen area. If you鈥檙e travelling for business for up to 90 days in a 180-day period, you may be able to do some business-related activities without needing a visa or permit, such as attend business meetings. It does not matter how many countries you visit in the Schengen area. Your total stay must be no more than 90 days in every 180 days. The 180-day period keeps 鈥榬olling鈥�.听

If you鈥檙e staying for longer, or for other types of work, you may need a visa or permit.听

The Belgian authorities are responsible for setting and enforcing entry rules. They decide which activities need a visa or permit, or which may be exempt.听

You鈥檒l need to check the specific rules of the region you鈥檙e going to:听

• 听
• 听
• 听

If you鈥檙e working in more than one country, you need to check the entry rules of each country.听

If you need a passport, visa or permit, you should apply well in advance of travel.听

Visa and permit documents听

This guide explains the general application process for some of the visa or permit types available in Belgium. It includes a checklist of documents that you鈥檒l usually need to include when applying.听

It may not cover all scenarios so you must always check the exact application process and document requirements with Belgium鈥檚 or .听

You must also check what format the documents should be presented in, including if they must be:听

• translated听
• 鈥榣egalised鈥� (with an apostille) or notarised听
• originals, or if copies are acceptable听
• signed in ink (a wet signature), or if they can be signed electronically (an e-signature)听
• dated within a certain period of time, such as 30 days before you submit your application.听

Countries often use the terms visa, work permit and residence permit differently. For example, some may refer to a work permit as a visa.听

This guide uses the same terms used in Belgium, so you know which ones to use when speaking to the Belgian authorities.听

Check if you need a visa or permit听

You do not need a visa or permit if you鈥檙e travelling to Belgium for up to 90 days in a 180-day period for specific business-related activities. These activities can include:听

• running or attending job interviews听
• attending trade fairs or seminar conventions听
• board meetings听
• meeting clients or customers (rules can differ by region)听
• meeting colleagues, contractors or sellers (rules can differ by region)听
• negotiating, signing and executing deals or contracts听
• touring a company facility听
• receiving goods supplied and manufactured by a Belgian company听
• attending, speaking or presenting at a conference (paid or unpaid)听
• tour guides or tour operators attending or participating in conventions or accompanying a tour听
• providing translation and interpretation services (if an employee of a UK firm)听
• team building activities听
• technical, scientific and statistical researchers carrying out research (under a hosting agreement)听
• marketing research or analysis听
• leisure travel, such as holidays or visiting friends or family听

Or for the following types of training, as long as it鈥檚 for the same company or group:听

• receiving classroom-based training听
• providing classroom-based training (Flanders only)听
• shadowing someone鈥檚 job听

These activities are usually allowed while travelling under the Schengen visa waiver.听

While a permit is not required, your employer may need to submit a to the Belgian authorities.听

Border checks听

At the border, you may be asked to show:听

• proof of return travel, such as plane or train tickets听
• health insurance that covers your stay听
• proof of accommodation for your entire stay听

• enough money for the duration of your trip听

• an invitation letter from your employer explaining your trip听

Check Belgium鈥檚 exemptions听

Certain types of work and activities do not require a visa or permit because they鈥檙e exempt. All countries have their own exemptions. What may be exempt in one country may not be in another. You should always check with the country鈥檚 authorities.听

Each region in Belgium may also have its own exemptions and are not all covered in this guide. You鈥檒l need to check with the individual authorities for a full list:听

• 听
• 听
• 听

The following examples may be exempt in some regions but not in others so you would have to check:听

• after-sales service work (urgent maintenance or repair) for up to 5 calendar days in a month听
• installing software for up to 8 calendar days a month听
• prototype testing for up to 4 weeks in a calendar year (only in Brussels)听
• installing or assembling first or initial systems or products for up to 8 days (does not apply to those in the construction industry)听
• self-employed workers staying in Belgium for business purposes for up to 5 days a month听
• athletes, referees, support staff, official representatives, staff members, and any others recognised by the international or national sporting federations, travelling to Belgium for an international sports competition 鈥� allowed only for the duration of the competition and for a maximum of 3 months in a calendar year听
• artists with an international reputation performing in Flanders for up to 21 days a quarter (includes support staff)听
• artists with an international reputation performing in Brussels or Wallonia for up to 90 days a quarter (includes support staff)听
• international transport sector workers (transporting passengers or goods)听
• staff at international institutions 鈥� only if the institution鈥檚 status is governed by a ratified international treaty听
• public administration staff and diplomats听

You also do not need a visa or permit if attending closed circle meetings for a maximum of 20 consecutive days at a time and 60 days a year. This includes customer negotiations, staff evaluations and company strategy meetings. Check with the Belgian authorities if you鈥檙e not sure whether your meeting is a 鈥榗losed circle meeting鈥�.听

While a permit is not required, your employer may need to submit a to the Belgian authorities.听

Show proof of exemption听

You need to be able to show proof that you鈥檙e exempt to the authorities on request. This could be:听

• an assignment letter听
• employment confirmation听
• a contract听
• proof of required qualifications, such as a diploma and professional certificates听
• CV听

If you鈥檙e going for other business purposes or for more than 90 days, you may need a short or long-term permit.听

Further checks听

If you鈥檙e not sure if you need a visa or permit to travel you can get advice from the Belgian embassy.听

Applying for a visa or permit听

This guide outlines the steps required for each visa or permit. The application process and document requirements vary by region so .听

Taking your family听

For the short-term permits listed in this guide your family will not be able to get dependant visas. They can join you for up to 90 days under the visa waiver rules.听

There may be different rules for taking families if you have a long-stay permit. Check with Belgium鈥檚 authorities on the exact process.听

Short and long-term permits听

You need to apply for a short-term work permit if you鈥檙e in Belgium for up to 90 days in a 180-day period because you鈥檙e:听

• transferring short term to a Belgian branch of a UK-based company听
• providing short-term services to a client in Belgium听

You need to apply for a long-term permit if you鈥檙e in Belgium for more than 90 days because you鈥檙e:听

• transferring long term to the Belgian branch of a UK-based company听
• working for a Belgian company on a long-term Belgian employment contract听
• providing long-term services to a client in Belgium听
• carrying out self-employed work听
• conducting research work听

Long-term permits are valid for up to 3 years depending on which one you need.听

Transferring short term to a Belgian branch of a UK-based company听

You need a short-term type B work permit if your UK-based employer is transferring you to a branch in Belgium.听

To qualify you must:听

• meet minimum salary requirements听
• keep your UK employment contract听
• stay on UK payroll听

A short-term type B permit can take between 4 and 12 weeks to get but this may take longer. It鈥檚 valid for up to 3 months.听

How it works听

You鈥檒l need to with the authority in the region as they vary. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.听

Your employer submits a:听

• work permit application to the regional employment authorities听
• to the Belgian authorities听

Application documents听

Belgian authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:听

• Limosa declaration听
• UK passport, valid for 6 months听
• CV听
• bachelor鈥檚 degree certificate from an accredited university听
• signed employment contract with your UK employer听
• signed assignment agreement with your UK employer听
• social security cover certificate听
• authorised employer鈥檚 ID听
• comprehensive health insurance cover for Belgium听

Providing short-term services to a client in Belgium听

You need a short-term work permit to provide support that requires specialised technical knowledge (such as installing, repairing and maintaining machinery) if your UK employer has a contract or work order with a Belgian company.听

Some of these activities do not require a permit if they鈥檙e only for a few days. Having this permit would allow you to carry out the work for a longer period of time.听

To qualify you must:听

• have relevant professional experience听
• keep your UK employment contract听
• stay on UK payroll听

This permit can take between 4 and 12 weeks to get but this may take longer. It鈥檚 valid for up to 3 months.听

How it works听

You鈥檒l need to with the authority in the region as they vary. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.听

Your employer submits a:听

• to the regional employment authorities听
• to the Belgian authorities听听

Application documents

Belgian authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

• Limosa declaration听
• UK passport, valid for 6 months听
• CV听
• signed employment contract with your UK employer听
• signed assignment agreement with your UK employer听
• agreement between the UK employer and the Belgian company for the specific technical installation, repair, or maintenance work听
• social security cover certificate听
• authorised employer鈥檚 ID听
• comprehensive health insurance cover for Belgium听

Transferring long-term to a Belgian branch of a UK-based company听

You need one of the following single permits if your UK-based company transfers you to a Belgian branch to work:听

• EU intra-company transfer permit (EU ICT)听
• for highly skilled workers and executives on assignment听

Single permit EU intra company transfer (EU ICT)听

You need a long-term EU intra-company transfer permit (ICT) if your UK-based company moves you to a Belgian branch to work for:听

• up to 3 years听
• 1 year if you鈥檙e a trainee听

To qualify you must:听

• be a manager, specialist or trainee听
• have worked for the company abroad for at least 3 to 6 months (depending on the region where the Belgian company is based)听
• have a bachelor鈥檚 level degree, or master鈥檚 degree for trainees听
• keep your UK employment contract听
• stay on UK payroll听

The EU ICT can take 3 months to get. It鈥檚 valid for 1 year. You can extend it for up to 3 years if you鈥檙e a manager or specialist.听

If you have a family they can join you with this permit type. Check with Belgium鈥檚 authorities on the exact process.听

How it works听

You鈥檒l need to with the authority in the region as they vary. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.听

1. Your employer .听

2. You apply for a long stay visa at the Belgian consulate.听

3. Your employer submits a to the Belgian authorities.听

4. You register your residence at the local commune (local authority) when you get to Belgium.听

5. You collect your foreigner identity card from the local commune.听

Application documents听

Belgian authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:听

• completed permit application form听
• Limosa declaration听
• UK passport for you and any dependants, valid for 3 months after you intend to leave Belgium听
• marriage certificate, if applying with family听
• birth certificate for any children, if applying with family听
• bachelor鈥檚 degree certificate from an accredited university, or a master鈥檚 degree certificate if you鈥檙e a trainee听
• signed assignment agreement with your UK employer听
• signed employment contract with your UK employer听
• , dated less than 6 months鈥� before the date of applying (legalised with an apostille)听
• medical certificate, dated less than 6 months鈥� before the date of applying听
• social security cover certificate听
• comprehensive health insurance cover for Belgium听

Single permit for highly skilled workers and executives on assignment听

You need this single permit if both of these apply:听

• you鈥檙e highly skilled or executive-level personnel听
• your UK-based company moves you to a Belgian branch听

To qualify you must:听

• meet minimum salary requirements听
• have at least 3 years鈥� education at bachelor鈥檚 degree level, unless you鈥檙e at executive level听
• keep your UK employment contract听
• stay on UK payroll听

This permit can take 3 to 4 months to get. It鈥檚 valid for up to 3 years and you can extend it.听

If you have a family, they can join you with this permit type. Check with Belgium鈥檚 authorities on the exact process.听

How it works听

You鈥檒l need to with the authority in the region as they vary. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.听

1. Your employer .听

2. You apply for a residency visa at the Belgian consulate.听

3. Your employer submits a to the Belgian authorities.听

4. You register your residence at the local commune (local authority) when you get to Belgium.听

5. You collect your foreigner identity card from the local commune.听

Application documents

Belgian authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

• completed permit application form听
• Limosa declaration听
• UK passport for you and any dependants, valid for 3 months after you intend to leave Belgium听
• signed employment contract with your UK employer听
• marriage certificate, if applying with family听
• birth certificate for any children, if applying with family听
• degree certificate from an accredited university, master鈥檚 degree for trainees听
• , dated less than 6 months鈥� before the date of applying (legalised with an apostille)听
• medical certificate, dated less than 6 months鈥� before the date of applying听
• social security cover certificate听
• comprehensive health insurance cover for Belgium听

Working for a Belgian company on a long-term Belgian employment contract听

You need one of the following work permits if you are highly skilled and working on a Belgian employment contract:听

• EU Blue Card for highly skilled work for at least a year听
• Single permit for highly skilled workers and executives for up to 3 years听

EU Blue Card听

To qualify for an EU Blue Card you must:听

• have an offer of employment from a Belgian company for at least 1 year听
• be on Belgian payroll听
• meet minimum salary requirements听
• have at least 3 years鈥� education at bachelor鈥檚 degree level听

The EU Blue Card can take 2 to 3 months to get. It鈥檚 valid for up to 3 years and you can extend it. It may lead to permanent residence after 5 years鈥� continuous residency if you meet the criteria.听

If you have a family they can join you with this permit type. Check with Belgium鈥檚 authorities on the exact process.听

How it works听

You鈥檒l need to with the authority in the region as they vary. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.听

1. Your employer .听

2. You apply for a long-term visa at the Belgian consulate.听

3. You register your residence at the local commune when you get to Belgium.听

4. You collect your foreigner identity card from the local commune.听

Application documents听

Belgian authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:听

• completed application forms听
• UK passport for you and any dependants, valid for 3 months after you intend to leave Belgium听
• employment contract or job offer from a Belgian company听
• marriage certificate, if applying with family听
• birth certificate for any children, if applying with family听
• bachelor鈥檚 degree certificate from an accredited university听
• , dated less than 6 months鈥� before the date of applying (legalised with an apostille)听
• medical certificate, dated less than 6 months鈥� before the date of applying听
• proof that you can support yourself during your stay, provided by the employment contract听
• proof of accommodation听
• comprehensive health insurance cover for Belgium听

Single permit for highly skilled workers and executives hired locally听

To qualify for a single permit you must:听

• have an offer of employment from a Belgian company听
• have at least 3 years鈥� education at bachelor鈥檚 degree level, unless you will work as an executive听
• be on Belgian payroll听
• meet minimum salary requirements听

It can take 3 to 4 months to get. It鈥檚 valid for up to 3 years and you can extend it. This permit may lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.听

If you have a family, they can join you with this permit type. Check with Belgium鈥檚 authorities on the exact process.听

How it works听

You鈥檒l need to with the authority in the region as they vary. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.听

1. Your employer .听

2. You apply for a long stay visa at the Belgian consulate.听

3. You register your residence at the local commune (local authority) when you get to Belgium.听

4. You collect your foreigner identity card from the local commune.听

Application documents听

Belgian authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:听

• completed application form听
• UK passport for you and any dependants, valid for 3 months after you intend to leave Belgium听
• employment contract or job offer from the Belgian employer听
• marriage certificate, if applying with family听
• birth certificate for any children, if applying with family听
• bachelor鈥檚 degree certificate from an accredited university听
• , dated less than 6 months鈥� before the date of applying (legalised with an apostille)听
• medical certificate, dated less than 6 months鈥� before the date of applying听
• proof that you can support yourself during your stay, provided by the employment contract听
• proof of accommodation听

Providing long-term services to a client in Belgium听

You need a single permit to provide services if your UK employer has a long-term contract or work order with a Belgian company. This is available to both individuals with specialist technical knowledge and highly skilled workers.听

To qualify you must:听

• have relevant work experience听
• keep your employment contract with your UK employer听
• stay on UK payroll听

This permit can take 3 to 4 months to get. It鈥檚 valid for up to 6 months (for those with specialist technical knowledge) and for up to 3 years (for highly skilled workers). You can extend it, although extensions will only be granted in limited situations.听

If you have a family, they can join you with this permit type. Check with Belgium鈥檚 authorities on the exact process.听

How it works听

You鈥檒l need to with the authority in the region as they vary. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.听

1. Your employer submits your work permit application to the local immigration office.听

2. You apply for a residency visa at the Belgian consulate.听

3. Your employer submits a to the Belgian authorities.听

Application documents听

Belgian authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:听

• completed application form听
• Limosa declaration听
• UK passport, valid for 3 months after you intend to leave Belgium听
• signed employment contract with your UK employer听
• signed assignment agreement with your UK employer听
• after-sales agreement between the UK employer and the Belgian company听
• , less than 6 months鈥� old (legalised with an apostille)听
• medical certificate, dated less than 6 months鈥� before the date of applying听
• social security cover certificate听
• comprehensive health insurance cover for Belgium听

Self-employed work听

If you鈥檙e self-employed and want to work in Belgium you can apply for a professional card.听

To qualify you must:听

• comply with all regulatory obligations听
• show that your work is relevant to Belgium 鈥� this is measured in terms of 鈥榚conomic utility鈥櫶�
• show how many jobs you鈥檒l create听
• provide proof of the economic benefits听
• show the benefits for Belgian companies听
• outline the opportunities for exports, if applicable听
• show that your business is innovative听
• show that your work has social and cultural benefits听
• show that your professional activities in Belgium will provide you with sufficient income听
• be 鈥榮ocially insured鈥� (with healthcare insurance)听

A professional card can take 3 to 6 months to get. It鈥檚 valid for between 2 to 3 years and you can extend it.听

If you have a family, they can join you with this permit type. Check with Belgium鈥檚 authorities on the exact process.听

How it works听

You鈥檒l need to with the authority in the region as they vary. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.听

You:听

• submit a professional card application to the Belgian embassy听
• submit a visa application听
• register your residence at your local commune (local authority) when you get to Belgium听
• apply for a foreigner identity card听

Application documents听

Belgian authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:听

• UK passport for you and any dependants, valid for 3 months after you intend to leave Belgium听
• evidence that you鈥檝e met all the criteria, such as a business plan听
• , dated less than 6 months鈥� before the date of applying (legalised with an apostille)听
• medical certificate, dated less than 6 months鈥� before the date of applying听
• some professions require specific proof that you鈥檙e already established in your field 鈥� check with the Belgian embassy what you need to provide听
• proof that you can support yourself during your stay听
• proof of accommodation听
• marriage certificate, if applying with family听
• birth certificate for any children, if applying with family听
• comprehensive health insurance cover for Belgium听

Research work听

Researchers coming to Belgium under a hosting agreement may be able to travel under the Schengen visa waiver. However, for most research activities exceeding 90 days, you will need a to work in Belgium.听

To qualify you must:听

• have the required qualification certificate or degree听
• have an offer of employment with a Belgian research institute, that鈥檚 recognised by the Belgium Federal Science Policy Office听
• have a hosting agreement with the recognised research organisation听

This visa can take 4 to 8 weeks to get. If the research institute needs to apply for recognition from the Federal Science Policy Office, this can take longer.听

This visa is valid for up to 3 years and you can extend it.听

If you have a family, they can join you with this permit type. Check with Belgium鈥檚 authorities on the exact process.听

How it works听

You鈥檒l need to with the authority in the region as they vary. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.听

You:听

• submit a visa application to the Belgian consular authorities in the UK听
• register your residence at the local commune (local authority) when you get to Belgium听
• collect your foreigner identity card from the local commune听

Application documents听

Belgian authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:听

• UK passport for you and any dependants, valid for 3 months after you intend to leave Belgium听
• employment agreement between you (the researcher) and the recognised research institution听
• evidence of all relevant information (including how you meet the required criteria)听
• marriage certificate, if applying with family听
• birth certificate for any children, if applying with family听
• , dated less than 6 months鈥� before the date of applying (legalised with an apostille)听
• medical certificate, dated less than 6 months鈥� before the date of applying听
• proof that you can support yourself during your stay听
• proof of accommodation听
• comprehensive health insurance cover for Belgium听

Belgian government guidance听

Read official guidance on .听

Make sure you always check the rules for the region where you鈥檒l be staying:听

• 听
• 听
• 听

Check for travel changes听

European governments may update or change their rules without notice.听

You should always check general travel advice for Belgium, for updates on issues, such as safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings before travelling, or planning to travel.听