Beyond the Waffles: A Look at the Job Market in Belgium
Belgium is known for its tasty waffles, fine chocolates, and lively cultural scene, but it is also a busy centre in the heart of Europe for professionals looking for fresh job chances. Belgium is a great place for both local and international job searchers because of its good economy, excellent standard of living, and good location. But what is the real state of the employment market in Belgium, and what can you anticipate if you’re thinking about moving there? Let’s get started.
A Look at the Economy of Belgium
Belgium has a strong and diverse economy, including important areas like chemicals, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, logistics, and technology. As of the middle of 2025, the job market is “soft landing,” which means that the unemployment rate is staying rather consistent at roughly 5.8%. Some industries, like manufacturing, have lost jobs, but others are actively growing, making the job market more complicated.
Because of the country’s unique federal system, most employment services are run at the regional level:
VDAB in Flanders (Dutch-speaking)
Le FOREM in Wallonia (French-speaking) and Actiris in Brussels-Capital Region (bilingual—French and Dutch) are both in German-speaking areas. Community: ADG
This regional strategy has an effect on the number of jobs available and the language skills needed.
Jobs That Are in Demand: Where the Chances Are
There are a lot of competent workers needed in several fields in Belgium. If you want to build a name for yourself, think about these areas:
Technology and Cybersecurity: The digital transition is still making IT jobs in high demand. Companies are spending a lot of money on AI, big data, and IT security solutions, therefore they are looking for software developers, data scientists, and cybersecurity professionals. IT Director and IT Architect are two other jobs that pay well.
Engineering and Construction: Belgium’s continual infrastructure projects and industrial growth mean that there is always a need for engineers in many fields, such as civil, electrical, and mechanical. There aren’t enough architects, technologists, electricians, and other construction workers, like roofers, bricklayers, and masons.
Healthcare and Social Services: Because the population is becoming older and healthcare demands are changing, there is always a need for nurses, midwives, doctors, and other healthcare workers. Administrative healthcare jobs are equally vital for the smooth running of the business.
Finance and Accounting: Accountants and financial analysts are two examples of skilled individuals in finance and accounting that are always in demand since they can help businesses follow complicated rules and expand their money.
Logistics and transportation: Belgium is a key commerce hub in Europe, thus it needs a lot of people who work in logistics and transportation. For global trade and e-commerce to work well, drivers and supply chain managers are very important.
Sales and Customer Service: As businesses grow, there are more jobs in sales, business development, customer service, and hospitality, especially since Belgium’s tourism industry is doing so well.
Education and Training: Teachers, especially those who teach STEM subjects and technical skills, are still in high demand as Belgium works to improve lifelong learning.
Specialised Technical positions: There is a rising need for specialised technical positions in construction, automotive, and high-tech manufacturing. Some examples are Maintenance Technicians, Electromechanics, Auto/Truck Mechanics, and HVAC/Cooling Technicians.
Managing and running projects: Project managers and administrative specialists are needed in all fields to keep things running smoothly and make processes more efficient.
The shortage occupation list for Wallonia between 2024 and 2025 has grown to include jobs like buyer, driving teacher, social worker, automotive technician, chef/cook and building manager. This shows that there are specific demands in the region.
How to Find a Job as an Expat
Belgium is a great place for people from other countries to look for work. This is especially true in places like Brussels, which is home to many European Union institutions and multinational firms. This is how to get started with your job search:
Language Skills: English is the most common language spoken in international companies, especially in Brussels. However, knowing Dutch or French (or even German in some places) can greatly improve your chances of getting a job. It’s very important to adapt your language skills to the area you want to work in.
Online job boards: Actiris (Brussels), VDAB (Flanders), Le FOREm (Wallonia), and ADG (the German-speaking community) are all great places to start.
Popular international job boards include StepStone, Xpatjobs, EuroBrussels (for EU issues), ICTJob, and Creative Skills.
Freelance Platforms: UpWork is a good place to find freelance work in IT, design, and other disciplines.
Networking: Use LinkedIn to make changes to your profile and meet people who work in the fields you want to work in. Professional groups and networking activities can also be helpful.
Direct Applications: Don’t be afraid to send speculative applications to organisations you’re interested in, even if they don’t have a job opening. People often like this proactive attitude.
Recruitment Agencies: Sign up with Belgian recruitment agencies. Many of them focus on certain fields, such as Adecco, Hudson, Manpower, and Michael Page.
CV and Cover Letter: Customise your CV and cover letter for each job you apply for by using keywords from the job description. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are used by many big companies to sort through resumes.
Visa and Work Permit: Citizens of the EU and EEA do not need a visa or work permit. Non-EU/EEA citizens who want to work for more than 90 days will need to have an admission visa and a single permit, which combines a work and residence permit. Employers usually have to do a labour market test to show that there aren’t any good EU applicants available.
What to Expect from the Work Culture in Belgium
Most Belgian workplaces are pleasant, but they also keep things formal. Knowing the subtleties of Belgian business etiquette will help you fit in better:
Balance between work and life: Belgians place a high emphasis on their work-life balance. People usually don’t work overtime, and they keep their job and personal lives apart. The usual work week is Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with an hour-long lunch break.
Being on time and getting things done: Being on time is really important. Be on time for meetings and appointments, and be ready to meet deadlines and timelines. People really value efficiency and productivity.
Hierarchy and Consensus: In Belgian organisations, people respect authority and follow clear instructions from their bosses, but they also like a management style that involves everyone and asks for their input. Instead of open confrontation, people often come at decisions by agreeing and compromising.
How Belgians Talk: Belgians are usually courteous and restrained when they talk. Stay away from being too passionate or aggressive. People appreciate diplomacy and logical reasoning, especially when talking and making deals.
Professionalism: Wear nice clothes to job interviews and meetings. Men usually wear suits, and women usually wear dresses or skirts with jackets or blouses. Smart casual clothes are fine in most modern businesses.
Multilingual Environment: Be ready for a place where many languages are spoken, especially in Brussels. Learning some basic Dutch or French phrases will help you get along with people.
Cost of Living and Pay
Salaries in Belgium are good, especially in big cities and fields where there is a lot of demand. As of 2024, the average gross monthly pay in Belgium is about €3,832. After taxes, this comes out to about €2,463. However, incomes might be very different depending on the job, the person, the education level, and the area.
Industries with the highest pay (average gross monthly salary in 2023):
€6,310 for the petrochemical industry
€4,485 for computer programming and consulting
Money: €4,857
€4,380 for Energy and the Environment
€5,696 for the main office and business management
Medicines: €5,331
Jobs that pay the most (average gross monthly pay):
Director of the Company: €11,772
IT Manager: €8,787
€8,589 for the business manager
Doctor: €8,081
The Sales Manager makes €7,944.
Differences in Average Gross Monthly Salary by Region:
Brussels Capital Region: €4,507
€3,760 for the Flemish Region
€3,562 for Wallonia
The cost of living in Belgium is greater than the world average, however this is offset by high wages and a good quality of life. Rent, utilities, and daily expenditures might add up to between €1,000 and €2,000 a month for a single individual. Brussels is usually the most expensive city.
Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre is between €800 and €1,200.
Utilities (monthly): €150 to €250 for things like power, heating, water, trash, and the internet
Monthly groceries cost from €250 to €300.
Monthly pass for public transport: around €49
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of employment openings in Belgium, especially for qualified workers in technology, healthcare, engineering, and finance. As an expat, you need to pay attention to regional language differences and visa requirements when looking for a job. However, Belgium is a great place to expand your career because of its robust economy, competitive salary, and high quality of life. You can have a rewarding career path in the heart of Europe if you learn about the in-demand fields, get used to the local work culture, and use the tools that are accessible.
