Talent Wiki - Belgium
Your quick guide on talent and labor compliance norms in Belgium
Capital
Brussels
Currency
Euro
Languages
Dutch, German, French
Payroll Frequency
Monthly
GDP per Capita
$50,597
Employer Tax
27%
Talent Overview
Belgium, located almost at the center of Europe, has a highly developed and urbanized economy with a core focus on the service sector. The high-end service industries are located in the northern part of the country, while coal and manufacturing sectors are primarily found in the south. Belgium offers diverse and competitive candidates, most proficient in more than one language.
Major economic hubs:
Antwerp, Brussels, Bruges, Ghent
Skills in demand:
Accountants, Architects, Administrative staff, IT professionals, Engineers
Local Universities
The top local universities in Belgium include the following:
KU Leuven
Ranking
Local: 1
World: 53
Ghent University
Ranking
Local: 2
World: 142
Université de Liège
Ranking
Local: 3
World: 236
UC Louvain
Ranking
Local: 4
World: 272
University of Antwerp
Ranking
Local: 5
World: 378
Salary Data
The salaries of some of the popular jobs in Belgium are listed below:
| Job Title | Average Monthly Salary (EUR) | Average Monthly Salary (USD) |
| Financial Manager | 12,000 | 12,715 |
| Accountant | 4,510 | 4,778 |
| Graphic Designer | 4,060 | 4,302 |
| Business Analyst | 7,720 | 8,180 |
| Project Manager | 6,980 | 7,396 |
| Sales Manager | 10,500 | 11,126 |
| Developer/Programmer | 6,100 | 6,463 |
Employing in Belgium
Belgian labor laws are focused on the well-being of the employees and protect them from discrimination. Collective bargaining agreements are usually between the trade union and the employer (a company or an individual).
Employee Contract
As for the language of the employment contract, either Dutch, French, or German is mandatory, depending on the employee’s place of work or the registered office of the business firm.
Probation period
There is no statutory law for probation period in Belgium.
Public and Provincial Holidays 2023
| Date | Name | Type |
| 1 Jan | New Year’s Day | National Holiday |
| 10 Apr | Easter Monday | National Holiday |
| 1 May | Labour Day | National Holiday |
| 18 May | Ascension Day | National Holiday |
| 29 May | Whit Monday | National Holiday |
| 21 Jul | National Day | National Holiday |
| 15 Aug | Assumption Day | National Holiday |
| 1 Nov | All Saints’ Day | National Holiday |
| 11 Nov | Armistice Day | National Holiday |
| 25 Dec | Christmas Day | National Holiday |
Employee Leaves
| Type of leave | Time Period | Mandatory |
| Annual leave/Earned Leave | 24 days | Yes |
| Sick Leave | 30 days | Yes |
| Maternity Leave | 20 weeks | Yes |
Payroll
Payroll Cycle
The payroll cycle is set once a month, and salaries are usually paid at the end of the month.
Minimum Wage
As of 2023, the minimum wage set by law in Belgium is €1,955 per month.
Overtime Pay
Any hours exceeding the regular 38 working hours a week are considered overtime and should be paid at 150% of their regular rate. Overtime is paid at 200% of their regular wage rates on Sundays and public holidays.
Bonus
13th Month Pay
Most companies pay the 13th-month salary as a bonus to their employees, at the end of the year, before Christmas.
Employee Benefits
- Social Security
- Pension Insurance
- 13th Month Salary
- Maternity Leave
- Paternity Leave
- Holiday Bonus
- Annual and other leaves
- Healthcare and Insurance
Taxes
Employer Payroll Tax
The employer’s payroll tax is at 27% for social security.
Employee Payroll Tax
Employees pay 13.07% of their total gross compensation as social security contributions.
Additionally, a special social security contribution ranging between EUR 9.30 to EUR 60.94 is also collected from the monthly net salary and is not tax deductible.
Employee Income Tax
| Income Group | Tax Rate |
| 0 – 13,870 | 25% |
| 13,870 – 24,480 | 40% |
| 24,480 – 42,370 | 45% |
| Above 42,370 | 50% |
VAT
Belgium follows a standard VAT of 21%.
Offboarding & Termination
An employment contract can be terminated depending on the employment agreement between the parties by serving a notice period, payment of indemnity, or a combination of both. Employees with service over six months have the right to be informed of the reason for termination.
Notice period varies depending on the length of employment. During the probationary period, it is up to 3 weeks, and for permanent employees, it ranges from two to thirteen weeks.
In the absence of a notice period on termination, employees are entitled to severance pay which would equal the amount they would earn during the notice period.
Visa and Immigration
Belgium allows the citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland to work freely in the country. A work and/or residence permit is needed for other citizens to work in the country.
