Search Q&A
Expat work status
We moved to Brussels from the States (we are American) a few months ago because of my husband's job, and while I reside here legally (of course) I am still not sure of my ability to work in Belgium. I am not even sure where to find this information. Do I start at my commune? Any information or advice would be welcome.
Read through these:
www.investinflanders.be/appl/...nsf/.../Foreign%20Employees_1209.pdf
vdab.be/english/Working%20and%20living%20in%20Belgium.pdf
If you are a US citizen with no other citizenship, you will need a work permit to work in Belgium. It is possible but not always easy. You will need to find an employer willing to apply for a work permit on your behalf--and it is a hassle. You'd have to have very special skills and quals for an employer to go to this trouble when the same talent may be found here with working papers in order already. There are other ways around this but that too is not always straight forward and it can be complicated to be sure you are totally legal.
I think going to your commune is the best place to start. If they can't answer, at least they will probably know who to ask. The trouble with getting information like this here is there are so many factors that impact the correct answer.
You could also consider working as a freelance. For that purpose you need to get an authorization delivered to non European citizens. Those procedure are usually carried on by a 'guichet d'entreprise', e.g Partena,...
You can get more information about it by asking at the town hall, or at the US Ambassy.
Based on your residency permit you can get a work permit.
VDAB in my case a number of years ago got me a "Work Permit B" based upon my residency permit still being in order.
Make sure to keep both up to date at all times.
To renew you residency permit you will need to show a valid upto date work permit.
It's a chicken and egg thing.
