Belgium · Skilled Worker Visa

EU Blue Card (Carte Bleue européenne)

By António Mira, Founder · Member, Arab-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCIAP) & Portuguese-Saudi Business Council (PSBC)
✓ Verified against the official government source · Last verified 2026-06-24 · Our methodology
7/10 diff
Difficult

Belgian EU Blue Card under Loi 15/12/1980 Art. 61/26-61/27 for highly-qualified third-country nationals with university …

Min income
Processing
Path to PR
No
Job offer
Required
Direct answer

Belgian EU Blue Card under Loi 15/12/1980 Art. 61/26-61/27 for highly-qualified third-country nationals with university qualification (or equivalent professional experience for ICT sector). Single application via the competent Region with simultaneous federal residence authorisation. Salary threshold set by the Cooperation Agreement of 6 December 2018 between Federal State + Regions, typically 1.5× average gross annual salary in the relevant Region (varies among Brussels, Wallonia, Flanders). Transposes Directive 2009/50/EC as amended by Directive (EU) 2021/1883.

At a Glance

Visa Duration
24 months
Processing Time
Min Income
Path to PR
No
Difficulty
7/10 — Difficult

Eligibility Requirements

RequirementDetails
Job Offer RequiredYes
Sponsorship RequiredYes
Health Insurance RequiredNo

Financial Requirements

ItemAmount
Minimum Salary€60,998/yr

Family & Rights

RightDetails
Spouse Can WorkYes
Path to Permanent ResidencyNo

Related Pathways

Cost of Living

Brussels
Single (monthly)€1,600
Family (monthly)€3,300
Rent 1BR (center)€900
Groceries€400
Transport pass€96
Antwerp
Single (monthly)€1,400
Family (monthly)€2,900
Rent 1BR (center)€800
Groceries€350
Transport pass€84
Ghent
Single (monthly)€1,300
Family (monthly)€2,700
Rent 1BR (center)€750
Groceries€325
Transport pass€78

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the EU Blue Card (Carte Bleue européenne)?

Belgian EU Blue Card under Loi 15/12/1980 Art. 61/26-61/27 for highly-qualified third-country nationals with university qualification (or equivalent professional experience for ICT sector). Single application via the competent Region with simultaneous federal residence authorisation. Salary threshold set by the Cooperation Agreement of 6 December 2018 between Federal State + Regions, typically 1.5× average gross annual salary in the relevant Region (varies among Brussels, Wallonia, Flanders). Transposes Directive 2009/50/EC as amended by Directive (EU) 2021/1883.

What are the financial requirements for the EU Blue Card (Carte Bleue européenne)?

Applicants need minimum salary of €60,998/yr. Additional costs may include relocation expenses, insurance, and document attestation.

Can the EU Blue Card (Carte Bleue européenne) lead to permanent residency?

No — this is a temporary pathway and does not itself lead to permanent residence. Holders often switch to a different route to pursue settlement.

Are there alternative pathways to Belgium?

Yes. Belgium offers 10 other immigration pathways. Compare all options on our Belgium country page.

What is the cost of living in Belgium?

Monthly costs for a single person in city center: Brussels: €1,600/mo; Antwerp: €1,400/mo; Ghent: €1,300/mo. These include rent, groceries, transport, and utilities.

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Official source

Requirements on this page are based on this official/primary source:

Data last verified: 2026-06-24 · See our methodology

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