{"id":4549,"date":"2024-05-21T15:32:17","date_gmt":"2024-05-21T14:32:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pkfbofidi.com\/economische-arbeidsmigratie-in-vlaanderen-wordt-versoepeld-en-verstrengd\/"},"modified":"2025-02-04T03:56:32","modified_gmt":"2025-02-04T02:56:32","slug":"economic-labour-migration-to-be-both-relaxed-and-tightened-in-flanders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pkfbofidi.com\/en\/economic-labour-migration-to-be-both-relaxed-and-tightened-in-flanders\/","title":{"rendered":"Economic labour migration to be both relaxed and tightened in Flanders"},"content":{"rendered":"

On 1 May 2024, Flanders changed the rules regarding labour cards and single permits. To work in the region, non-EEA nationals need a single permit or labour card B. Labour card B is for employment for less than 90 days, the single permit for longer periods.<\/p>\n

The changes have two objectives<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. To attract foreign workers for bottleneck occupations and the knowledge economy.<\/li>\n
  2. To tighten the rules to prevent fraud and abuse.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    One important relaxation of the rules is that blue card holders can change employers after 12 months without requiring a new permit. Another is that the minimum annual salary for highly skilled workers has risen from EUR 55,958 to EUR 60,622.<\/p>\n

    Previous regulations<\/h3>\n

    Since 1 January 2019, Flemish employers have been able to employ highly and medium skilled workers without consulting the local labour market.<\/p>\n

    Four types of vacancies<\/h3>\n
      \n
    1. Highly skilled profiles: Require a certain level of qualification and minimum annual salary. Employers do not have to prove that they cannot find suitable candidates on the local labour market.<\/li>\n
    2. Medium skilled positions (limited list of bottleneck occupations): 29 occupations, again employers do not have to prove that they cannot find local candidates.<\/li>\n
    3. Broad VDAB (Flemish Department of Employment Agency) list: 241 occupations, vacancy requires a minimum qualification level and must have been published for 9 weeks.<\/li>\n
    4. Other vacancies: Sufficient labour available, permits are refused.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Additional requirements<\/h3>\n

      When applying for permits for labour categories 1 and 2 \u2013 vacancies for highly and medium skilled profiles \u2013 the employer must be able to provide additional proof:<\/p>\n