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Expand your global workforce in Belgium

Your guide to the employment landscape, working customs and local labor laws in Belgium.

Capital

Brussels

Currency

Euro

Languages

Dutch, German, French

GDP per Capita

$54,770.02

Employer Tax

27%

Payroll Frequency

Monthly

Talent overview

Belgium, located almost at the center of Europe, has a highly developed and urbanized economy with a core focus on the service sector. The high-end service industries are located in the northern part of the country, while coal and manufacturing sectors are primarily found in the south. Belgium offers diverse and competitive candidates, most proficient in more than one language.

Major economic hubs:

Antwerp, Brussels, Bruges, Ghent

Skills in demand:

Accountants, Architects, Administrative staff, IT professionals, Engineers

Top local universities in Belgium

Uni1 17

KU Leuven

Ranking

Local: 1

World: 81

Uni2 16

Ghent University

Ranking

Local: 2

World: 167

Belgium Uni3

Université de Liège

Ranking

Local: 3

World: 231

Belgium Uni4

UC Louvain

Ranking

Local: 4

World: 258

Belgium Uni5

University of Antwerp

Ranking

Local: 5

World: 407

Top Local Job Boards

Vdab, Jobat, Le Forem

Number of LinkedIn users

4,860,000

Multiplier Recruitment Partner

iXceed

Where to find talent

Top Local Job Boards:

Number of LinkedIn users:

Top Recruitment Agencies:

Salary Data

The salaries of some of the popular jobs in Belgium are listed below:

Job Title Average Monthly Salary (EUR) Average Monthly Salary (USD)
Financial Manager 12,000 13,142
Accountant 4,510 4,939
Graphic Designer 4,060 4,446
Business Analyst 7,720 8,455
Project Manager 6,980 7,644
Sales Manager 10,500 11,499
Developer/Programmer 6,100 6,680

Employ in Belgium

Employing in Belgium

Belgian labor laws are focused on the well-being of the employees and protect them from discrimination. Collective bargaining agreements are usually between the trade union and the employer (a company or an individual).

Employee Contract

As for the language of the employment contract, either Dutch, French, or German is mandatory, depending on the employee’s place of work or the registered office of the business firm.

Probation period

There is no statutory law for probation periods in Belgium.

Public and Provincial Holidays 2024

Date Name Type
1 Jan New Year’s Day National Holiday
1 Apr Easter Monday National Holiday
1 May Labour Day National Holiday
9 May Ascension Day National Holiday
20 May Whit Monday National Holiday
21 Jul National Day National Holiday
15 Aug Assumption Day National Holiday
1 Nov All Saints’ Day National Holiday
11 Nov Armistice Day National Holiday
25 Dec Christmas Day National Holiday

Employee Leaves

Type of leave Time Period Mandatory
Annual leave/Earned Leave 24 days Yes
Sick Leave 30 days Yes
Maternity Leave 20 weeks Yes

Leave Compliance

Payroll in Belgium

Tw Payroll Img1

Payroll cycle

The payroll cycle is set once a month, and salaries are usually paid at the end of the month.

Tw Payroll Img2

Minimum wage

As of 2023, the minimum wage set by law in Belgium is €1,955 per month.

Tw Payroll Img3

Overtime pay

Any hours exceeding the regular 38 working hours a week are considered overtime and should be paid at 150% of their regular rate. Overtime is paid at 200% of their regular wage rates on Sundays and public holidays.

How taxes work

Employer Payroll Tax

The employer’s payroll tax is at 27% for social security.

Employee Payroll Tax

Employees pay 13.07% of their total gross compensation as social security contributions.

Additionally, a special social security contribution ranging between EUR 9.30 to EUR 60.94 is also collected from the monthly net salary and is not tax deductible.

Employee Income Tax

Income Group Tax Rate
0 – 15,200 25%
15,200 – 26,830 40%
26,830 – 46,440 45%
Above 46,440 50%

VAT

Belgium follows a standard VAT of 21%.

Bonus

13th Month Pay

Most companies pay the 13th month salary as a bonus to their employees, at the end of the year, before Christmas.

Employee Benefits

  • Social Security
  • Pension Insurance
  • 13th Month Salary
  • Maternity Leave
  • Paternity Leave
  • Holiday Bonus
  • Annual and other leaves
  • Healthcare and Insurance

Employee offboarding

An employment contract can be terminated depending on the employment agreement between the parties by serving a notice period, payment of indemnity, or a combination of both. Employees with service over six months have the right to be informed of the reason for termination.

Notice period varies depending on the length of employment. During the probationary period, it is up to 3 weeks, and for permanent employees, it ranges from two to thirteen weeks.

In the absence of a notice period on termination, employees are entitled to severance pay which would equal the amount they would earn during the notice period.

Tw Visa Img

Visa and
immigration

Belgium allows the citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland to work freely in the country. A work and/or residence permit is needed for other citizens to work in the country.

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