Belgium’s Federal Migration Centre (Myria) has released its annual report on migration and integration, confirming that Moroccan nationals continue to constitute the largest non-EU community in the country. According to the 2026 edition, published on 9 July 2026, some 7,404 Moroccans settled in Belgium in 2024, up from 6,696 in 2019 and 5,291 in 2014. The community now represents roughly 4 % of all new arrivals and almost 9 % of the foreign workforce. Myria attributes the steady growth to a combination of long-standing family-reunification channels, Belgium’s demand for labour in logistics and hospitality, and the relative ease with which Moroccan diploma-holders obtain recognition for higher-education degrees. Moroccan citizens also topped the nationality ranking for new residence permits linked to work and study last year, trailing only Ukrainian nationals when humanitarian permits are included. The report highlights encouraging integration indicators: naturalisations among Moroccans rose by 11 % year-on-year, and second-generation Moroccans now record tertiary-education completion rates close to the national average. At the same time, Myria warns that discrimination in housing and hiring persists and calls for stronger enforcement of Belgium’s anti-racism legislation. For employers, the data underline the importance of the Moroccan talent pool for sectors facing labour shortages.
![Moroccans Remain Belgium’s Largest Non-EU Community, Myria 2026 Report Shows]()
For those who need hands-on help navigating Belgium’s evolving visa rules, VisaHQ’s Belgium portal provides clear document checklists, online submission tools and real-time status tracking, streamlining applications for Moroccan workers and their sponsors.
Companies are advised to monitor further regulatory tweaks—such as Flanders’ pilot skills-based work-permit route—to remain competitive in attracting North-African professionals. Mobility managers should also note that, since 1 July 2026, the handling fee for Belgian national (D) visas has risen to €250, an added cost for long-term assignees. Looking ahead, Myria recommends streamlining digital appointment systems at consulates in Casablanca and Rabat to cut visa-processing times that now average 46 days—twice the Schengen norm. If the recommendation is adopted, corporate relocation timelines for Moroccan hires could shorten considerably, easing onboarding and project planning.
For those who need hands-on help navigating Belgium’s evolving visa rules, VisaHQ’s Belgium portal provides clear document checklists, online submission tools and real-time status tracking, streamlining applications for Moroccan workers and their sponsors.
Companies are advised to monitor further regulatory tweaks—such as Flanders’ pilot skills-based work-permit route—to remain competitive in attracting North-African professionals. Mobility managers should also note that, since 1 July 2026, the handling fee for Belgian national (D) visas has risen to €250, an added cost for long-term assignees. Looking ahead, Myria recommends streamlining digital appointment systems at consulates in Casablanca and Rabat to cut visa-processing times that now average 46 days—twice the Schengen norm. If the recommendation is adopted, corporate relocation timelines for Moroccan hires could shorten considerably, easing onboarding and project planning.
