Prior Limosa declaration of employment

Attention must be paid to the Limosa registration obligation when employing a foreign national or developing self-employed activities in Belgium.

To simplify the administrative formalities related to the employment of foreign nationals, the Belgian government has adopted a number of measures jointly referred to as "Limosa" (Dutch abbreviation for cross-country information system).

The Limosa project is an electronic platform through which one can apply for various permits. The first step of the Limosa project places an obligation on employers that employ foreign nationals in Belgian territory and self-employed individuals that perform their activities on Belgian territory to communicate information regarding the professional activities to the Belgian government (i.e., through a mandatory prior electronic notification of employment/self-employed activities).

The mandatory Limosa notification applies to all employees and self-employed individuals who temporarily or partially work in Belgium and usually work in another country or are hired abroad. There are various exemptions from the mandatory notification including (subject to certain conditions) short-term business travel, scientific congresses, foreign government personnel and the assembly and installation of goods.

The Limosa declaration should be made online at www.limosa.be, prior to the start of employment in Belgium. A declaration certificate (Limosa-1) is immediately available and can be downloaded or printed.

A company with operations in Belgium that uses the services of the foreign nationals or self-employed individuals, directly or indirectly, must verify whether the Limosa obligation has been complied with prior to the start of the professional activities in Belgium by delivering the Limosa-1 declaration.

Noncompliance with the Limosa registration can result in substantial criminal and administrative sanctions and monetary penalties for both the foreign employer and the Belgian user of the services.

Identity card for foreign nationals

After legally residing in Belgium for an uninterrupted period of three to five consecutive years and subject to certain conditions, non-EEA nationals can obtain an "identity card for foreign nationals" or a residence permit for an indefinite term at their local commune of residence. Foreign nationals can work in Belgium with a residence permit for an indefinite term or with an identity card for foreign nationals without obtaining a work permit.

Unlimited work authorization

The unlimited work authorizations must be applied for via the new single permit procedure. The previous applicable conditions and requirements remain more or less the same in each region. Foreign nationals that have obtained the status of long-term resident in another member state, are in possession of a legal residence permit in Belgium and can demonstrate 12 uninterrupted months of work are also eligible under certain conditions, which can vary from one region to another.

Planned legislative change

Near future changes are expected as Belgium implements the EU Migration & Asylum Pact from mid‑2026 onward and implementation from the Directive 2024/1233.