Belgium tightens residence checks on EU job-seekers

Belgium’s Council of Ministers has approved a draft royal decree that will make it considerably harder for job-seekers from other EU Member States to stay in the country beyond the initial three-month grace period. Under the proposal, EU nationals applying for a residence card will have to present both proof of active job hunting—such as registered vacancies and applications with a regional employment service like Actiris—and evidence that they can realistically find work. Six months after arrival a second inspection will verify continued effort and prospects; failure to convince officials could see the right of residence withdrawn. Asylum and Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt said the measure responds to municipalities’ complaints that some recipients of EU residence cards stop looking for work and move straight onto Belgium’s social-assistance system. The new rules explicitly bar this category from social benefits until they obtain permanent residence. They also tighten the family-reunification procedure by declaring incomplete files inadmissible and place a heavier burden of proof on applicants.

If you’re unsure how these evolving regulations might affect your own plans, VisaHQ can help navigate Belgium’s visa and residence requirements. Their dedicated portal (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/) explains the latest rules, offers document checklists, and allows you to start applications online with expert support.

For multinationals recruiting intra-EU talent, the change means foreign hires who arrive without a contract will need to document their search far more thoroughly and may lose legal stay after six months if prospects are slim. HR teams should advise candidates to retain copies of interview invitations, rejection letters and any training undertaken in Belgium to demonstrate continued effort. Municipal offices are expected to introduce new checklists and may call in employers to verify job offers, adding an administrative layer that could delay onboarding. The reform is part of a wider migration package that also pilots a three-month “fast-track” asylum procedure for applicants with low protection chances—a nod to the EU Migration Pact that entered into force on 12 June 2026. Taken together, the measures signal Belgium’s intention to align national practice with the Pact’s emphasis on accelerated processing and tighter benefit access, while reassuring voters that free movement is not a “free pass”.