EEA nationals

Students who are nationals of one of the member states of the European Economic Area (EEA) may be employed in Belgium under the same conditions as Belgians. There is no need to apply for a work permit.

The EEA includes all members of the European Union (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom), plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

Please note that for nationals of Bulgaria and Romania, there is a transition period during which students still require a “category C work permit” in order to work in Belgium.
Students from Switzerland may work in Belgium without a work permit.

Students from countries bordering Belgium (the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany and France) should also register at the local authority. Should they stay in Belgium with a so-called “annex 33” (Bijlage 33), they have not obtained a national number and therefore will not be entitled to repayment of taxes withheld by the employer. They will have to pay at least 25% non-refundable taxes on their income in Belgium.

Anyone who lives in Belgium for longer than three months must register at the local authority. They will receive a national registration number and will be entitled to repayment of taxes if they fall below the income cut-off.

The spouse and children of an EEA student may also work in Belgium, even if they are not EEA nationals. They do need to be married and to be living together.