New rules for non-EU workers in Flanders

From May, new rules around labour migration come into force. Controls will be tightened, although procedures will also become more relaxed for some positions.

The new rules apply to workers from outside the European Union who want to work in Flanders. Employers will be able to employ certain profiles more easily, but at the same time Flanders is tightening controls on labour migration.

As of 1 May, the rules should make it easier to attract talent from abroad in the face of structural labour market shortages. At the same time, the aim is to tighten economic migration policies to reduce abuses and improper economic migration. For example, for certain IT profiles, diplomas will no longer be taken into account but only relevant experience. Simultaneously, inspectorates will also be given a legal basis with reasons for refusing an application, such as companies without staff or with too little turnover to justify additional staff.

Flemish Employment minister Jo Brouns said the new regulations would also strengthen the incentive to look at the Flemish or European labour market first before looking for suitable candidates outside the EU.

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