Belgium has introduced significant updates to its Blue Card Directive, making it easier for non-European nationals to qualify for an EU Blue Card. Starting from October 1, internationals with at least five years of professional experience in a specific field will now be eligible for the Blue Card, eliminating the previous requirement of having relevant academic qualifications.
Additionally, professionals in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector with at least three years of work experience within the past seven years can now qualify for the EU Blue Card, regardless of higher education credentials.
Holders of the EU Blue Card will also benefit from more flexibility, as they will be allowed to change employers within the first 12 months of employment, according to the National Law Review.
The Belgian government is also renaming the work permit B, which will now be referred to as either a short-term or long-term work authorisation. For employees granted a work authorisation exceeding one year, employers will no longer be required to submit documents for annual compliance notifications.
Furthermore, employees who have lived in Belgium for at least 30 months without interruption and can prove continuous employment through a single work permit or authorisation will be eligible for an unlimited work authorisation. These changes will apply specifically to non-European nationals working in the Brussels Capital Region.