Work in Belgium
Jobs in Belgium
Combined permits into Brussels — EU bubble on one side, regional paperwork on the other.
Editorial
Reviewed April 2026 (visa) and August 2026 (salary). Guidance only — not immigration legal advice. Market estimates, not job offers. How we source this
Work permit
Combined permit / EU Blue Card
Mid software engineer · Brussels
€86,940
Studio rent · Brussels
$900/mo
Visa
Combined permit / EU Blue Card
Work and residence are usually a single combined permit, issued by the region (Flanders, Wallonia, or Brussels-Capital) then endorsed federally. EU Blue Card is available if you meet the salary and qualification tests. EU institutions and NATO create a parallel expat labour market that does not always use the same permit as a Belgian private employer. Apply via the region that will actually employ you.
English is common in international organisations. Local companies hire in French and/or Dutch.
Job market
How hiring actually works
Brussels is bilingual (French/Dutch) with a large English-speaking international layer around EU institutions, NGOs, and corporate HQs. Pay is mid-Europe. Your day-to-day language depends heavily on which commune and which employer.
Cities on this page: Brussels. Search on Global Job Scanner is account-gated; create a free account to run a live Belgium query.
Pay
Mid-level salaries, local currency
Same model as the salary checker (2025–2026 market estimates, Q1 2026 FX). Not an offer.
| City | Software Engineer | Product Manager | Data Scientist |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrusselsEUR | €86,940 | €89,240 | €81,420 |
Compare Brussels against another city · Rent and budget in the cost of living calculator
Questions
Before you book a one-way ticket
What visa do I need to work in Belgium?
Combined permit / EU Blue Card. Work and residence are usually a single combined permit, issued by the region (Flanders, Wallonia, or Brussels-Capital) then endorsed federally. EU Blue Card is available if you meet the salary and qualification tests. EU institutions and NATO create a parallel expat labour market that does not always use the same permit as a Belgian private employer. Apply via the region that will actually employ you.
What does a software engineer earn in Belgium?
A mid-level software engineer in Brussels is about €86,940 in our 2026 model (local currency, market estimate — not an offer). Compare other roles in the table on this page or the salary checker.
Can I get by in English?
English is common in international organisations. Local companies hire in French and/or Dutch.
Search
Pull live Belgium listings into one list.
LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor and 20+ other sources. Free Explorer plan — no credit card.
Create a free account