Global immigration law firm Fragomen has published its annual salary-threshold update, formally confirming the figures that Belgian regional authorities will apply from 1 January 2025. For employers of non-EU nationals – from highly-skilled permit holders to ICT transferees – salary compliance remains the single biggest risk factor in Belgian audits.
Key changes include:
• Flanders – Highly-skilled threshold rises to €48,912 (+4.9 %); EU Blue Card to €63,586. Executives now require €78,259.
• Wallonia – Highly-skilled threshold increases to €51,613; EU Blue Card to €66,738. Young-graduate permits go to €41,290.
• Brussels-Capital Region – Monthly minimums move to €3,703.44 for highly-skilled and €4,748 for EU Blue Card holders; managers under the ICT permit must earn at least €5,460.20 per month.
Although the update was widely expected, the timing matters. Applications filed in November or December 2025 but issued after 1 January must meet the new figures or risk refusal. Employers should therefore audit pending cases, issue salary-increase letters where necessary and update posted-worker notifications. Benefits in kind remain excluded from the calculation except where expressly guaranteed and taxable.
The regional differences reflect Belgium’s federal structure: payroll for an executive posted to Brussels can be nearly €8,000 less per year than in Wallonia. Multinationals relocating staff between Belgian entities must ensure the host region’s rules are applied or face fines of up to €48,000 per infringement.
Practical take-aways:
• Start budgeting now for January payroll uplifts.
• Brief HR business partners about the pro-rata rule introduced this year, which allows part-time schedules but still demands the statutory minimum on an annual basis.
• Expect the Immigration Office (DVZ/IBZ) to step up spot-checks in Q1 2026, focusing on salary-compliance and working-time records.
Key changes include:
• Flanders – Highly-skilled threshold rises to €48,912 (+4.9 %); EU Blue Card to €63,586. Executives now require €78,259.
• Wallonia – Highly-skilled threshold increases to €51,613; EU Blue Card to €66,738. Young-graduate permits go to €41,290.
• Brussels-Capital Region – Monthly minimums move to €3,703.44 for highly-skilled and €4,748 for EU Blue Card holders; managers under the ICT permit must earn at least €5,460.20 per month.
Although the update was widely expected, the timing matters. Applications filed in November or December 2025 but issued after 1 January must meet the new figures or risk refusal. Employers should therefore audit pending cases, issue salary-increase letters where necessary and update posted-worker notifications. Benefits in kind remain excluded from the calculation except where expressly guaranteed and taxable.
The regional differences reflect Belgium’s federal structure: payroll for an executive posted to Brussels can be nearly €8,000 less per year than in Wallonia. Multinationals relocating staff between Belgian entities must ensure the host region’s rules are applied or face fines of up to €48,000 per infringement.
Practical take-aways:
• Start budgeting now for January payroll uplifts.
• Brief HR business partners about the pro-rata rule introduced this year, which allows part-time schedules but still demands the statutory minimum on an annual basis.
• Expect the Immigration Office (DVZ/IBZ) to step up spot-checks in Q1 2026, focusing on salary-compliance and working-time records.
Fonte: Fragomen Immigration Alert
