Employment in Belgium for Ukrainians

Belgium work visa for Ukrainians 2026: how to get a work permit

Do Ukrainians need a work visa for Belgium?

Yes, Ukrainians need to obtain a work visa and a work permit to work in Belgium if the planned period of stay exceeds 90 days.

For legal employment, you need to obtain a type D work visa, which allows you to enter the country for the purpose of work and residence.

Types of work visas to Belgium

The following categories of visas are available for Ukrainians planning to work in Belgium:

• Short-term visa (type C) - for seasonal or temporary work for up to 90 days.
  
• Long-term visa (type D) - for official employment for a long period (6 months or more).

Who can get a work visa to Belgium?

Ukrainians can obtain a work permit if:

1. They have found an official employer who is ready to sign an employment contract.

2. They have sufficient qualifications, experience and meet the requirements of the Belgian labor market.

3. The employer has applied for a Work Permit and received approval.

What documents are required for a work visa to Belgium?

To apply for a work visa to Belgium, you need to prepare the following documents:

• A completed application form (issued by the consulate).
  
• A valid passport with a validity period exceeding the planned stay by at least 6 months.
  
• Two recent photographs that meet the requirements of a Schengen visa.
  
• Employment contract signed by the Belgian employer.
  
• A confirmation letter from the employer describing the working conditions, salary and responsibilities.
  
• Proof of academic qualifications (diplomas, certificates, resume).
  
• Proof of language proficiency (French, Dutch or English).
  
• Health insurance covering expenses up to 30,000 euros.
  
• Proof of financial solvency, which confirms that the applicant has sufficient funds for living.
  
• Proof of residence in Belgium (lease agreement or invitation from the employer).
  
• Certificate of no criminal record issued in Ukraine.
  
• Medical certificate confirming the absence of dangerous diseases.

How to obtain a work visa to Belgium for Ukrainians?

The process of obtaining a work visa involves the following steps:

1. Find a job and get a contract from a Belgian employer.

2. The employer applies for a work permit in Belgium (Work Permit).

3. After the permit is approved, apply for a category D visa at the Belgian Embassy in Ukraine.

4. Pass an interview at the consulate and wait for a decision on the visa (the processing time is from 6 to 12 weeks).

5. After obtaining a visa, enter Belgium and register with the local municipality.

Legal support for Ukrainians

Visit Ukraine provides legal assistance to Ukrainians planning to work in Belgium by helping them

- with the preparation of documents

- obtaining a work permit,

- applying for a visa.

Where can Ukrainians apply for a work visa to Belgium?

You can submit documents at:

- Embassy of Belgium in Kyiv,

- Consulates General of Belgium,

- VFS Global accredited visa centers.

How long does it take to get a Belgium work visa?

The standard application processing time is from 6 to 12 weeks, so it is recommended to submit documents in advance - at least 2 months before the planned departure.

What is the duration of a work visa to Belgium?

A work visa is usually issued for a period of 1 to 3 years, with the possibility of further extension.

After 5 years of official employment in Belgium, you can apply for a permanent residence permit (permanent residence).

Can I change my employer with a work visa?

Yes, it is possible to change employers, but you need to obtain a new work permit from the new employer and reissue the documents.

How much does it cost to get a work visa to Belgium?

Approximate costs for registration:

180-250 euros - consular fee for a visa.

50-100 euros - translation and legalization of documents.

200 euros - medical insurance.

The total cost may depend on the type of services chosen and the visa center.

What is the minimum salary in Belgium for Ukrainians?

As of 2026, the minimum wage in Belgium is 2,100-2,300 euros per month, depending on the profession and industry.

The average salary for qualified specialists is from 3,000 to 4,500 euros.

Why should you choose to work in Belgium?

• High level of salaries and social protection.
  
• Possibility of permanent residence after 5 years.
  
• Access to quality healthcare and education.
  
• No discrimination against Ukrainian employees.

There are more than a million self-employed people in Belgium, and most of them, especially in Brussels, are foreigners.

Belgium has an open economy, and the business culture in Belgium is quite formal, like its European neighbors. According to EU statistics, there are over 620,000 active businesses in Belgium. Most of them are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

If you are planning to start a business in Belgium, do some research on the local market. If you think you have a business idea that is worth developing, you can get support from the European Enterprise Network. There are many sectors in which expats can start a business in Belgium. The largest sector in the country is the service sector, with travel, financial and IT services showing strong positions. Manufacturing is also a key sector, accounting for about one-sixth of GDP. Petrochemicals, food and beverages, and scientific equipment are the leading sectors of Belgian manufacturing.

Who can start a business in Belgium?

Starting a business in Belgium is quite easy for anyone who is a resident and over 18 years old (16 years old for artisans and craftsmen). Foreigners can set up a business in Belgium, although non-EU/EFTA nationals may need a visa to enter Belgium as well as a Belgian residence permit.

Depending on the industry in which you are starting a business, you may need to provide evidence that you have certain skills (e.g., a degree), including entrepreneurial and management skills. Some professions in Belgium are regulated and subject to licensing, which means that you must meet certain conditions before you can start working. More information about regulated professions can be found on the website Business Belgium. If you start your own business, you must also register with the social security fund and pay contributions;

How to start a business in Belgium if you are an expat?

Obtaining a professional card (Belgian permit) to start a business

EU/EFTA citizens do not need a permit

If you are an EU/EFTA citizen, you can open a business in Belgium without any restrictions and do not need a permit.

Citizens of non-EU/EFTA countries need a professional card

If you are a non-EU/EFTA citizen, if you do not already have a residence permit in Belgium, you must apply for a professional card (carte professionelle/ beroepskaart) to start a business in Belgium. The professional card acts as your work permit. You can apply for the card when you apply for your Belgian visa by contacting the Belgian embassy or consulate in your home country before you arrive in Belgium. They will forward your application to the authorization service of the Federal Public Service (FPS) for a fee of 140 euros. You will also be advised on the required documents, which may include information about your proposed business, finances, qualifications and experience.

If your application is successful, the FPS will issue you a card that will initially be valid for 1-5 years. You can then renew the card for 90 euros per year. More information on the Belgian Professional Card and how to apply in the different regions can be found on the Business Belgium website.

Registration of your business

It involves several steps:

1. Choosing a company name - This is the first step after deciding on the legal structure of your business. This is the name under which you register and brand your business. The choice of a company name in Belgium is free and has no restrictions, provided that no other company has an identical name. More information, as well as a link to search for existing companies, can be found on the FPS website.

2. Preparation of company documents - If you are setting up a limited liability company and registering a business in Belgium, you will need to draw up a memorandum of association and have it notarized.

3. Registering with Crossroads Bank for Enterprises - Before you can carry out business activities, you need to register for trade. After that, you will receive a company number, which also serves as a VAT and social security number. This can be done at any authorized office. For a list of offices in Belgium, see here.

4. Registration with the VAT authorities - Companies providing goods or services subject to the Belgian VAT code must register for VAT.

5. Registration with the social security fund - All self-employed workers in Belgium are responsible for their own social security and must register with the social security fund through which social security contributions are made. Also make sure that you are registered with a health insurance fund in Belgium.

The authorized offices where you register your business in Belgium work as one-stop centers where you can also deal with VAT and social security issues. You can find the nearest office on the FPS website.

Setting up an offshore company

If you are considering setting up an offshore company, i.e. a company that is registered, incorporated or established outside your country of residence, there are a few key pros and cons to keep in mind.

Offshore incorporation is a simple process in all popular offshore financial centers and tax havens around the world. They can provide a wide range of benefits for the company and its executives.

Starting an online business in Belgium

In 2018, the e-commerce market in Belgium was worth 10.67 billion euros, and the number of online-only companies is growing every year. The process of setting up an online business in Belgium is much the same as setting up a standard business. You still need the necessary business permit, you must register the business and follow the same tax and administrative procedures.

Business visa is a permit of the specified destination country/countries within the Schengen area issued to citizens of countries with mandatory visa requirements from the Schengen area for the sole purpose of doing business in Belgium.

The visa holder is not required to be a citizen of the country in question to engage in his or her business program, but such a permit also has its limitations.

The following documents are required to apply for a Schengen business visa:

1) Application for a visa. Fully completed and signed.

2) Two recent photographs must be attached. Both photos must be taken within the last three months in accordance with the photo requirements for a Schengen visa.

3) A valid passport. It must be valid for at least three months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen area. Old passports with visas (if available).

4) Reservation or round-trip itinerary. It should include dates and flight numbers indicating entry and exit from the Schengen area. You can use visa consulting services like this one. The representatives of the consulting agencies can fulfill most of the mandatory requirements for your business visas, such as flight itineraries and hotel reservations, as well as free consultations by email.

5) Travel insurance policy. A document that confirms that you have medical insurance for traveling throughout the Schengen area with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros in case of any medical emergency, such as illness, accidents, and even repatriation in case of death. An insurance policy accepted by the EU authorities when applying for a business visa.

6) Proof of residence. A document stating where you will live during your stay in the Schengen area. It can be a hotel reservation, a lease agreement or an invitation letter from the host where you will live.

7) Proof of financial means. Proof that you have enough money to support yourself financially during your business trip to Belgium. It can be one of the following:

а) A bank account statement showing that you have enough money in your account for the trip. The statement must be no older than 3 months.

b) Sponsorship letter - from another person confirming that he/she will financially support your trip to the Schengen area. For this letter to be valid, it must be accompanied by a bank statement from the sponsor not older than three months.

в) A combination of your bank statement and a sponsorship letter.

8) Confirmation of payment of the visa fee.

9) Cover letter. Explanation of the purpose of the visit to the Schengen country.

10) A brief description of the applicant's work.

11) Letter from the employer. A detailed description of the purpose of the trip and the route of the days spent in the Schengen area.

12) Invitation letter. Written by a partner company in the Schengen area, also sent by fax to the relevant consulate. This letter should look like an invitation to attend meetings or other relevant events related to trade, industry or work.

13) Proof of financial means. The employer's letter or invitation from the partner company must state that one of the parties will cover the applicant's travel expenses during his/her stay in the Schengen area.

For employees:

а) Employment contract.

б) A current bank statement within the last 6 months.

c) Permission for vacation from the employer.

d) Income tax return (ITR) form or certificate of withholding tax collection.

For the self-employed:

а) A copy of your commercial license.

b) a bank statement of the company within the last 6 months.

c) Income tax return (ITR).

You must apply for a Schengen business visa at the consulate or embassy of the country you will most often enter or stay in during your business trip.

1) If you are planning to visit only one country, then you need to contact the embassy/consulate/visa center of the country you are going to visit.

2) If you are planning to visit more than one country, where you need to apply depends on the number of days you will spend in each of the countries you will be traveling to.

а) If you stay an equal number of days in each country, then you need to contact the embassy/consulate/visa center of the country where you arrive first.

б) If you stay unequal number of days in each country, then you will need to contact the embassy/consulate/visa center of the country where you will spend more time.

When applying for a business Schengen visa, you need to follow a few simple steps:

- Check which embassy/consulate you need to apply to. In order to apply for a business visa in the right place, you need to know which country should issue you a business visa (if you plan to visit more than one Schengen state).

- Make an appointment at the embassy/consulate/visa center

- Attend the visa interview. Take all the necessary documents for a business visa.

- Wait for a response. In the meantime, the embassy will process your visa, which will pass through EU security systems such as the Visa Information System and the Schengen Information System.

When to apply for a business visa?

The earliest deadline for applying for a business visa is three months before the planned trip, and the latest deadline is no later than 15 business days before you are going to travel to Europe for business purposes.

The best time to apply for a business Schengen visa is at least three weeks before your business trip to Belgium.

How long is a business Schengen visa valid for?

A business visa is usually valid for a stay of no more than 90 days. If you will be traveling a lot and not only in one Schengen country, it is recommended to fill in the "multiple entry" box in the application form. This way, you will be able to enter and leave the Schengen area at your own discretion during the time allowed by your visa.

Please carefully read the labels attached to the business visa sticker, including the period that allows you to stay in Belgium, otherwise there may be consequences for an overstayed Schengen visa.

How long does it take to get a Schengen work visa?

On average, the processing time for a business Schengen visa is 10 working days. During this period, the applicant will be informed whether the business Schengen visa has been granted or rejected.

However, depending on the situation, the processing time for a business visa to Europe may take longer if there is something extraordinary in a particular case or if a political situation is developing.

Please note that Belgium has legalized the four-day work week. Belgians are offered to work four days a week, provided that the working day lasts 9.5 hours. This means that their working week will be slightly shorter than the traditional one - 38 hours instead of 40.

Usable resources

The Federal Public Service for the Economy of SMEs, the Self-Employed and Energy (FPS)  provides information on self-employment in Belgium, most of it in English.

Business Belgium - also part of the FPS, contains detailed official information in English on starting a business in Belgium.

Belgian Social Security (Service Public Federal Securite Sociale)  - the website of the FPS social security.