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BELGIUM: Increased Minimum Salary Thresholds for 2020
December 3, 2019
Effective 1 January 2020, minimum gross annual salary levels for foreign employees will be increased in the three Belgian regions.
The increases are as follows:
Brussels & Wallonia
- Highly-skilled workers: EUR 42,869, (up from EUR 41,739)
- Management staff: EUR 71,521, (up from EUR 69,637)
- EU Blue Card applicants: EUR 55,431 (up from EUR 53,971)
Flanders
- Highly-skilled workers: EUR 42,696, (up from EUR 41,739)
- Aged <30 years/nurses: EUR 34,156.80 (up from EUR 33,494.40)
- Management staff: EUR 68,314, (up from EUR 66,989)
- EU Blue Card applicants: EUR 51,235 (up from EUR 50,242)
Note
- Employers applying for new or renewal work authorisations on or after 1 January 2020 must increase the salary to comply with the new threshold. Immigration applications that do not meet the minimum salary requirement will be rejected.
- Employers with pending applications as of 1 January 2020 must increase the salary to comply with the new threshold and must inform the regional authorities.
- Employers must also ensure that the salary of existing employees already working in Belgium complies with the new thresholds as of 1 January 2020.
- Salary must be either subject to tax if paid in the home country, or social security if paid in Belgium.
- The salary amount must be certain/fixed prior to the start of the employment in Belgium. Discretionary bonuses and Cost of Living Allowances (CoLA) as well as most other allowances (e.g. travel, board, lodging) cannot be taken into account.
Our Advice
Employers who may be affected are encouraged to contact a Newland Chase immigration specialist for case-specific advice.
For general advice and information on immigration and business travel to Belgium, please email us at [email protected].
