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Belgium CV Format 2026: Language, Photo, Permits, Pay and Labour Law

The safest Belgian CV is a clear, vacancy-specific document of one or two A4 pages, with your most recent experience first, written in the language of the vacancy and sent as a PDF unless the employer or portal asks for something else.[^1][^2] No law prescribes a Belgian CV template. Belgium has fou

Belgium CV Format 2026: Language, Photo, Permits, Pay and Labour Law

By AIResume Editorial Team

Last updated: 24 October 2026

The safest Belgian CV is a clear, vacancy-specific document of one or two A4 pages, with your most recent experience first, written in the language of the vacancy and sent as a PDF unless the employer or portal asks for something else.[^1][^2] No law prescribes a Belgian CV template. Belgium has four public employment services (VDAB in Flanders, Actiris in Brussels, Le Forem in Wallonia and the Arbeitsamt of the German-speaking Community), and they give slightly different advice, especially about photos and personal details. The World Bank counts about 2.35 million international migrants in Belgium (2024) and a 2025 unemployment rate of 5.9%, so the market is open but competitive.[^3]

This guide covers the Belgian CV and application, personal data and fair hiring, language, foreign qualifications and permit lines, a fictional annotated CV, pay and the minimum wage, the economy, work permits, labour law, social security, taxes and job scams. For where to find vacancies, see our Belgium job-board guide.

Editorial boundary: This is practical job-search guidance, not legal, immigration or tax advice. We only list figures we could read in an official or primary source, and we mark figures from press reports or a single secondary summary as "reported" or "likely". Confirm details with the FPS Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue, Statbel, the National Bank of Belgium (NBB), the National Social Security Office (ONSS), the FPS Finance, the regional employment services VDAB, Actiris, Le Forem and the Arbeitsamt of the German-speaking Community (ADG), and the Belgian Official Gazette before you sign anything. Rules on work permits and salary thresholds differ by region.

We convert euros (EUR) at the European Central Bank (ECB) reference rate of 23 October 2026: EUR 1 = USD 1.1193 = JPY 175.51.[^4] We write "about" because rates move daily.

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Belgium CV format at a glance

Belgium CV format at a glance: length, language, photo, personal data, permit line and references
Belgium CV format at a glance: length, language, photo, personal data, permit line and references
TopicBelgian practice in 2026Law or official guidance
Length1 to 2 A4 pagesVDAB: try 1 to 2 pages; Actiris: at most 2 A4 pages (guidance, not law)[^1][^2]
OrderLatest job firstVDAB and Actiris recommend this order[^1][^2]
LanguageThe language of the advert or portalNo statutory rule for private employers; follow the vacancy
PhotoOptional; add it if the employer asks or you choose toVDAB: if the employer asks or you want to; Actiris: if the employer requires it; Le Forem: if the employer asks or you wish[^1][^2][^5]
Date of birth, nationality, marital statusYour choice; data minimisation is the safer defaultThe Data Protection Authority (APD/GBA): only data strictly necessary for selection[^6]
Permit statusA short true line only when it helps; never a permit numberEmployer checks work authorisation separately
LanguagesHonest CEFR levels (A1 to C2)Europass grid[^7]
References"Available on request"; ask the person firstAPD: third-party data needs the candidate's information and consent[^6]
Certificates, criminal-record extractNot a routine attachmentAPD: a criminal-record question is in principle prohibited and consent is not a legal basis[^6]
Salary expectationPrepare it; state it only if the advert asksPractice, not law
FilePDF with selectable text; obey the portalVDAB and Actiris: save as PDF[^1][^2]

Why official Belgian advice appears to conflict

The regional services are career-guidance bodies, not four versions of one national CV law. Their wording reflects different audiences. The pattern we can read from the pages is this:

SourceLengthPhotoPersonal details
VDAB, FlandersTry to fit everything on 1 to 2 pagesOptional: "if the employer asks or you want to"Its guidance lists name, date of birth, residence, phone and email[^1]
Actiris, BrusselsMaximum 2 A4 pages, antichronologicalProfessional photo if the employer requires itMake the professional objective visible at first glance[^2]
Le Forem, WalloniaConcise, targeted tools (April 2026 document)Add it if the employer asks or you wish to personaliseIts sample shows an address[^5]
ADG, German-speaking CommunityWe could not load this site, so we do not quote its guidancen/an/a

The useful rule is therefore neither "Belgian CVs always have a photo" nor "photos are forbidden". A photo is not a general requirement. If the vacancy does not ask for one, leaving it out is the lower-data, lower-bias default. If you include one, use a recent professional image. Treat each date of birth or address field as a decision, not as a template box: the APD guidance is addressed to employers, so it does not make a voluntary CV field illegal.[^6]

Personal data, photo and fair hiring

Data protection. Recruitment is governed by the GDPR (Regulation 2016/679) and the Belgian Data Protection Act of 30 July 2018.[^8] The APD/GBA, Belgium's data protection authority, says an employer may collect only data strictly necessary for the selection. It treats sensitive categories (for example health, religious or philosophical belief, trade-union membership) as generally prohibited, says only a current address is relevant, and says health questions are not allowed unless the job requires them. Data about a candidate from third parties needs the candidate's information and free consent each time.[^6]

Anti-discrimination law. The federal General Anti-Discrimination Act and the Gender Act are both dated 10 May 2007, and the Anti-Racism Act is of 30 July 1981 (amended in 2007).[^9] Unia, the equality body, lists the protected grounds as age, sexual orientation, civil status, birth, wealth, religious or philosophical belief, political belief, trade-union membership, language, current or future health, disability, physical or genetic features and social origin, plus nationality, so-called race, skin colour, descent and national or ethnic origin, plus sex and gender-related grounds such as pregnancy and gender identity.[^10] Unia's competence also covers regional decrees (Flanders, Brussels, Wallonia and the German-speaking Community have their own), except language and Flemish competences; the Institute for the Equality of Women and Men handles gender.[^10]

Testing. Belgian law allows "situation testing" (mystery calls) with the prior agreement of the labour auditor or public prosecutor. The Act of 15 January 2018 introduced it and a 2022 reform relaxed the conditions (reported by Unisoc).[^11] Anonymous CVs exist as an employer practice in some places, but we could not confirm a general rule, so we do not rely on one.

Practice versus law. Law limits what an employer may ask. It does not tell you what is on every template. VDAB itself lists date of birth in its guidance.[^1] Your safest course is to give contact details and relevant evidence and to leave out health, religion, politics, union membership and similar items.

References are a consent decision

Candidate data should normally come from the candidate. If an employer wants to ask third parties, the APD says it must inform you and obtain your free consent each time.[^6] Naming a referee on your CV is a decision to let the employer contact that person, so ask the person first. Otherwise write "References available on request".

Criminal-record extracts

Belgian extracts exist in three models: 595 (general), 596-1 (activities such as security, transport or fiscal professions) and 596-2 (activities with minors, with employer involvement).[^6] The APD says an employer may ask for one only where a law requires it, and that the candidate's consent is not a legal basis. Do not volunteer one with your CV.

Which language should your CV use?

Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French and German. That does not tell you which language a private employer wants. Use this order of evidence:

  1. the language required in the vacancy or portal;
  2. the language of the vacancy and of recruiter communication;
  3. the employer's answer, if the first two are unclear;
  4. only then, regional context.

An English vacancy from an international employer can justify an English CV. A Dutch or French vacancy that asks for that language should receive it. "A French advert means a French reply" in Brussels is practice, not a rule of law for private employers. Do not send two language versions unless asked; duplicates can create inconsistent dates or levels.

Federal selection is procedural. The federal recruitment brand is werkenvoor.be (the old Selor addresses now redirect there), and each vacancy states its own language rules. Language certificates for federal posts come from the language-law framework of 1966 and the Royal Decree of 8 March 2001, and a certificate is a condition of recruitment, not of registering for a selection. Read the vacancy.

Report language ability so it can be tested

Avoid bars, stars and an unexplained "fluent". Use CEFR levels where you can assess yourself honestly, for example:

Dutch: B2 speaking, B2 reading, B1 writing (self-assessed)

The Europass grid covers listening, reading, spoken interaction, spoken production and writing. A single level can hide a difference between skills, so split them when the job depends on them. Keep certificates separate and never present self-assessment as a certificate.[^7]

Structure: make every section answer a hiring question

1. Header and target

Give your contact details, then name the role or direction. Actiris recommends a professional objective visible at first glance; VDAB suggests putting your strongest relevant asset right after contact details.[^2][^1]

2. Profile: three to five lines

Connect your evidence to the target, not to adjectives. Weak: "Dynamic team player looking for a challenging opportunity." Stronger: "Customer-operations coordinator with four years in B2B software onboarding. Handles Dutch, French and English cases and turns repeated support issues into documented workflows."

3. Experience in reverse chronology

For each relevant role give title, employer, location, dates and two to five bullets. VDAB asks for function, tasks, employer and period, starting with the latest job.[^1] Build each bullet from four parts: action + object + operating context + verifiable result or scope. "Resolved onboarding cases" is a duty. "Resolved an average of 38 weekly onboarding cases across email and chat" is assessable, provided the number is true.

4. Education and qualifications

List the most relevant qualification, institution, country and year. Do not translate a foreign award into a Belgian title unless an authority granted the equivalence (see the next section).

5. Skills and languages with evidence

Group tools, methods and languages so they scan well. Replace "Excel: expert" with the work you actually did: "Excel: monthly reconciliation using pivot tables and lookups."

Foreign qualifications, regulated professions and permits on your CV

Recognition is not required for most private-sector jobs. It matters for regulated professions and for some public posts. Education is a Community competence, so there are three routes:

  • Flanders: NARIC-Vlaanderen, run by the Flemish agency AHOVOKS. You start with its guidance tool and follow your file in its e-counter.[^12]
  • French Community: equivalences.cfwb.be handles secondary-level studies and equisup.cfwb.be handles higher-education diplomas.[^13]
  • German-speaking Community: NARIC-DG, at the Ministry of the Community in Eupen (likely; we could not load the page).[^14]

For regulated healthcare professions, the FPS Public Health issues the licence and visa (likely; the page did not load for us). Give the original award name and add the recognition decision as a separate line.

Permit line. The CV is not the permit application. EU, EEA and Swiss nationals have free movement and need no work permit. A third-country national usually holds a single permit, which is tied to an employer. Write a true line such as "Authorised to work in Belgium" or "Single permit, employer: X (change requires notification)". Do not write "unlimited access" unless your card says so, and never write a permit number.

Cross-border workers. Whether a commuter from France, the Netherlands, Germany or Luxembourg needs a permit depends on nationality and residence status, not on the country of residence. An EU citizen living in Lille needs none. A non-EU national living in France is not exempt just because of the address.

Annotated fictional Belgian CV

The sample is entirely fictional: person, employers, contacts and numbers.

Noor Janssens

Brussels · +32 470 00 00 00 · [email protected] · linkedin.com/in/noor-janssens-example

Customer Operations Coordinator · B2B software onboarding

Profile

Customer-operations coordinator with four years of experience in B2B onboarding and support workflows. Works across Dutch, French and English and turns recurring customer issues into product-ready documentation.

Experience

Customer Support Specialist, ExampleCloud SRL, Brussels · 2023 to 2026

  • Resolved an average of 38 weekly onboarding cases across email and chat; categorised recurring issues for monthly product review.
  • Rewrote 12 help-centre articles with product and sales colleagues.
  • Prepared escalation notes with reproduction steps, account context and customer impact.

Support Assistant, Northstar Services SA, Brussels · 2022 to 2023

  • Maintained the knowledge-base change log and summarised weekly case themes.

Education

Professional Bachelor in Office Management, Example Institute, Belgium · 2022

Languages

Dutch B2 · French B2 · English C1 *(self-assessed, fictional)*

Work authorisation

EU citizen, no permit needed *(fictional)*

AnnotationWhy it matters
Role-specific headingMakes the target clear without inventing a title
Profile grounded in workReplaces adjectives with experience and languages
Reverse chronologyMatches VDAB and Actiris guidance
Evidence bulletsShow action and scope; replace every fictional figure with a verifiable one
CEFR languages, "self-assessed"More precise than bars; does not imply a certificate
Minimal personal dataContactable without age, marital status, nationality or photo

Private-sector CV versus federal online CV

Application routeWhat is screenedCandidate action
Private employer by emailThe files requested in the advertSend the requested CV and letter; keep the CV concise
Private employer portalThe upload plus any required fieldsComplete both; keep dates and language levels consistent
VDAB, Actiris or Le Forem profileStructured profile data for matching and trackingKeep the profile current and consistent with your CV
Federal vacancy (werkenvoor.be)The online CV and documents as the notice defines themFill the fields as required; read the admissibility conditions and deadline literally

A federal-style online CV is a separate selection contract. It does not show that all Belgian employers prefer one.

PDF, DOCX and ATS

For an emailed application, VDAB and Actiris both advise saving the CV as PDF so the layout does not change.[^1][^2] As general advice, not an Actiris rule, keep the layout simple (single column, real text, standard headings) because applicant tracking systems read text, not pictures. Use this rule:

  • Email with no format given: a searchable PDF named like `Noor_Janssens_CV.pdf`.
  • Portal specifies DOCX, PDF or a size limit: obey it exactly.
  • Portal asks you to type your work history: fill the fields; an upload does not replace them.

Before sending, copy the text of the PDF into a plain-text window. If headings, dates or bullets come out in the wrong order, a tracking system may struggle too. See our ATS-friendly CV guide.

For a cover letter, regional services publish guidance but no law requires one. Send one when the advert asks or when it adds evidence the CV cannot show. When you leave a job, you are entitled to an end-of-employment certificate that states only the start and end dates and the nature of the work (Art. 21 of the Employment Contracts Act of 3 July 1978).[^15]

Pay: minimum wage, joint committees and the salary package

Belgian pay in 2026: national minimum wage EUR 2,233.61 a month, joint committees and salary package items
Belgian pay in 2026: national minimum wage EUR 2,233.61 a month, joint committees and salary package items

National minimum wage. The guaranteed average minimum monthly income (GGMMI in Dutch, RMMMG in French) is set by collective labour agreement (CBA/CCT) No. 43, amended by No. 43/18 of 24 March 2026. It was EUR 2,154.11 gross a month from 1 January 2026 (about USD 2,410 / JPY 378,000) and EUR 2,189.81 from 1 April 2026 (about USD 2,450 / JPY 384,000); the April step is the third phase of the 2021 social agreement, not an index step.[^16] The current amount is EUR 2,233.61 (about USD 2,500 / JPY 392,000) after a 2% index step in summer 2026 (from July 2026; some sources say 1 August).[^17][^18] So there were two index steps in 2026, in January and July or August, plus the April increase. The same minimum applies to employees aged 18 and over. Reduced percentages of CBA No. 50 (90% at age 20, 85% at 19, 79% at 18) apply only to student contracts and to workers under 18.[^19] A programme law of 1 June 2026 limits the 2% index to the part of wages up to EUR 4,000 a month ("indexation in cents"), so it affects higher salaries, not the minimum wage (reported).[^19]

Joint committees. Pay scales are set by sector. On 1 January 2026 there were 98 joint committees and 66 joint subcommittees.[^20] The auxiliary joint committee for white-collar workers (PC 200) indexed its scales by 2.21% on 1 January 2026; its class A starting minimum at year 0 is EUR 2,242.80 (about USD 2,510 / JPY 394,000), and class D EUR 2,555.72 (reported by the FPS Employment posting sheet).[^21] Look up the committee of the job you want.

Salary package. Check these items in the offer:

ItemWhat to know
13th month / year-end premiumNot statutory; set by sector agreement. In PC 200 it equals the monthly salary, paid by the end of the year if conditions are met[^21]
Double holiday payWhite-collar employees commonly get about 92% of monthly gross in addition to normal pay (reported by social secretariats); workers are paid through the national holiday fund on a different basis
Meal vouchersFrom 1 January 2026: face value at most EUR 10, employer share at most EUR 8.91, employee at least EUR 1.09[^22]
Eco-vouchersUp to EUR 250 a year are currently available; a phase-out was announced but is not yet law
Mobility budgetPillar 1 car, pillar 2 sustainable mobility, pillar 3 the remainder in cash
Company car, hospitalisation insuranceCommon extras; ask for the cost to you and the taxable benefit

What this means: compare an offer with the minimum of the right joint committee, ask for the gross monthly amount and the number of payments a year, and ask which extras are statutory and which are only in the sector agreement.

Belgium's economy in numbers

Belgium real GDP growth and consumer price inflation, 2020 to 2025 (World Bank data)
Belgium real GDP growth and consumer price inflation, 2020 to 2025 (World Bank data)
Indicator202020212022202320242025
GDP (USD billion)529.7598.5591.5650.8671.0725.5
GDP per person (USD)45,90651,65850,63955,24556,58260,750
Real GDP growth (%)-4.86.34.01.61.11.0
Inflation (%)0.72.49.64.03.12.5
Population (million)11.5411.5911.6811.7811.8611.94

*Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (accessed 24 October 2026).*[^3]

The World Bank also lists unemployment at 5.9% and youth unemployment (ages 15 to 24) at 17.8% for 2025, and an international migrant stock of 2,349,032 for 2024.[^3]

2026 outlook (forecasts, not outcomes). The European Commission's Spring 2026 forecast of 21 May 2026 expects real growth of 1.0% in 2025, 0.7% in 2026 and 0.9% in 2027, inflation of 3.4% in 2026 and unemployment of 6.6% in 2026.[^23] The NBB's June 2026 projection is 0.6% growth in 2026 and 1.1% in 2027 (as reported by VRT).[^24] Statbel's figures, as reported by VRT, give a population of about 11.87 million at 1 January 2026 (11,867,634 per the release), of whom about 1.64 million (13.8%) are foreign nationals.[^25] The World Bank and Commission series differ in definitions, so compare like with like.

What this means: growth is slow and inflation is back above 3% in forecasts, so wage indexation matters. Check whether a sector scale is indexed.

Work permits and rules for foreign workers

Belgian work permits in 2026: free movement, single permit, Blue Card and regional salary thresholds
Belgian work permits in 2026: free movement, single permit, Blue Card and regional salary thresholds

Work authorisation is a regional competence, while residence is federal. The combined single permit joins both. From 1 September 2026 Flemish work-authorisation applications go through the Uniek Loket, with a Flemish fee of EUR 180.[^26]

RouteWhat to know in 2026
EU, EEA and Swiss nationalsFree movement; no work permit
Single permit (third-country nationals)Applied for by the employer; tied to that employer; changes must be notified
Highly qualified, FlandersAge 30 and over, Belgian contract: EUR 48,912 gross a year (about USD 54,750 / JPY 8,585,000); under 30: EUR 39,129.60[^26]
Highly qualified, BrusselsEUR 3,703.44 gross a month (reported; check the regional site)[^27]
Highly qualified, WalloniaEUR 53,220 a year (reported; check the regional site)[^27]
EU Blue CardFlanders EUR 63,586 (about USD 71,170 / JPY 11,160,000)[^26]; Brussels EUR 4,748 a month and Wallonia EUR 68,815 a year (reported)[^27]
ExecutivesFlanders EUR 78,259; Wallonia EUR 88,790; Brussels EUR 6,647.20 a month (Brussels and Wallonia reported)[^26][^27]
Shortage and medium-skilledFlanders since 1 January 2026 admits only highly qualified functions; low-skilled jobs are excluded and the shortage list was shortened (heavy goods vehicle drivers are no longer on it); vacancies must be on VDAB for at least 9 weeks[^28]
StudentsMay work 650 hours a calendar year on a student contract (Act of 10 April 2025)[^29]
After studiesNon-EU graduates may stay 12 months to search ("zoekjaar") with unrestricted access, then the employer applies for a permit[^30]

The Flemish thresholds stay in force for 2026 applications until new Statbel wage figures are published (reported). In 2024 the Myria report counts positive decisions on fixed-term combined permits (first applications and renewals): Flanders 13,122, Brussels 6,539, Wallonia 2,736.[^31]

Arizona reforms. The federal government's reform agenda has produced adopted measures (the unemployment time limit, voluntary overtime and the pension law, described below) and announcements. We list only what we could confirm as adopted. A planned employer share of sick benefit and a tightening of family reunification were reported in the press, and we could not confirm that they are in force.

Japanese nationals

Japanese nationals can enter Belgium visa-free for a short stay of up to 90 days in any 180-day period under the general Schengen rule; that stay does not give a right to work. A working holiday is not an option: Belgium is not among the 32 partner countries and regions on Japan's list as of 1 April 2026.[^32] To work, a Japanese national normally needs an employer who applies for a single permit, and the combined permit is normally requested from abroad, although exceptions exist, so check with the employer and the regional authority.

The Japan-Belgium social security agreement has been in force since 1 January 2007. A posted employee normally stays in the sending country's scheme for up to five years with a certificate of coverage, and contribution periods can be added together.[^33] The new income tax convention was signed on 12 October 2016 and entered into force on 19 January 2019, and applies in Japan from taxable periods beginning on 1 January 2020 (as announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan).

Foreign workers in numbers

The foreign population is about 1.64 million people, 13.8% of residents, and about 2.71 million Belgians (22.8%) have a foreign background (Statbel, reported by VRT).[^25] In 2024 there were 27,087 single-permit applications nationally, 11,820 first and 15,267 renewals, and first permits fell 7% from 2023.[^31]

Labour law: hours, leave, notice and dismissal

The figures below are legal minimums or standards; your contract or sector agreement may be better.

TopicRule
Weekly hours38 hours since 1 January 2003 (law of 10 August 2001); 8 hours a day; absolute maxima 11 hours a day and 50 hours a week[^34]
OvertimePaid beyond 9 hours a day or 40 hours a week (or a lower sector limit) at +50%; +100% on Sundays and public holidays[^34]
Voluntary overtimeLaw of May 2026, retroactive to 1 April 2026: up to 360 hours a year (450 in hospitality), of which 240 hours (360 in hospitality) without surcharge and free of ONSS and withholding tax; written agreement valid one year[^35]
Annual leave20 days on a five-day week, plus double holiday pay (see above); standard rules (likely)
Sick payEmployers pay guaranteed salary for up to 30 days for employees, then health-insurance benefit of 60% of gross daily wage up to a ceiling; since 1 January 2026 guaranteed salary is due again for the same illness only if the new incapacity starts more than 8 weeks after the previous one[^36]
Maternity and birthMaternity leave 15 weeks (19 for multiple births, reported); birth leave 20 days within 4 months of birth, first 3 days paid by the employer[^37]
Dismissal reasonsCCT 109: employees with at least 6 months' service may ask for the reasons; a manifestly unreasonable dismissal carries compensation of 3 to 17 weeks' pay[^38]
ProbationThe probation period was abolished on 1 January 2014 (Act of 26 December 2013)[^39]

Notice periods

Notice is counted in weeks and rises with seniority. For employer notice under contracts starting from 1 January 2014, the FPS Employment tables give, for example: 1 week (under 3 months), 6 weeks (6 to under 9 months), 12 weeks (2 to under 3 years), 13 (3 years), 15 (4 years), 18 (5 years), 30 (9 years), 33 (10 years), 60 (19 years) and 62 (20 years).[^40] Two 2026 changes matter. For contracts whose execution starts on or after 1 August 2026, notice during the first six months is one week for both sides (Act of 3 June 2026),[^39][^41] and for contracts starting from 1 June 2026 employer notice is capped at 52 weeks from 17 years of seniority.[^42] Older contracts keep the old tables. An employee who resigns gives at most 13 weeks' notice, whatever the seniority.[^43]

2026 public holidays

Belgium has ten public holidays in 2026:[^44]

DateHoliday
Thursday 1 JanuaryNew Year's Day
Monday 6 AprilEaster Monday
Friday 1 MayLabour Day
Thursday 14 MayAscension Day
Monday 25 MayWhit Monday
Tuesday 21 JulyNational Day
Saturday 15 AugustAssumption
Sunday 1 NovemberAll Saints' Day
Wednesday 11 NovemberArmistice Day
Friday 25 DecemberChristmas Day

Assumption (a Saturday) and All Saints (a Sunday) need replacement days. The replacement day is fixed by the joint committee; failing that by agreement with the union delegation; failing that by a collective agreement between the employer and all staff; failing that by individual agreement. Otherwise it is the first normal working day after the holiday.[^44] Community holidays are not private-sector public holidays.

Social security: what you pay and what you get

Belgian social security in 2026: employee contribution 13.07%, unemployment insurance, health insurance and pensions
Belgian social security in 2026: employee contribution 13.07%, unemployment insurance, health insurance and pensions

Contributions. Employees pay 13.07% of gross pay to the ONSS, with no ceiling (the work bonus reduces it for low wages).[^45] Employers in the profit sector pay a basic rate of about 25%, plus sector and other levies that vary (likely). A programme act of 18 July 2025 removes employer basic contributions on the part of ordinary wage above a quarterly ceiling (EUR 88,434 a quarter from 1 July 2026) (likely).[^46]

Unemployment benefit. Belgium has unemployment insurance, and an insured foreign worker has the same rights as a Belgian once the conditions are met. Under the programme act of 18 July 2025, full unemployment benefit is limited to a maximum of 24 months (12 base months plus up to 12 depending on work history) for claims from 1 March 2026, with transition waves in 2026.[^47] On 10 September 2026 the Constitutional Court partly annulled the transition rules, and a further appeal on the rules in force since 1 March 2026 is reported to be pending.[^48]

Health insurance and sick pay. See the labour-law table for guaranteed salary and the benefit of the health-insurance fund.[^36]

Pensions. The statutory pension age is 66 for pensions starting between 1 February 2025 and 31 January 2030 and 67 from 1 February 2030.[^49] A pension reform with a bonus and malus linked to a 35-year career condition was adopted by parliament and applies mostly from 1 January 2027 (reported; check mypension.be).[^50]

Japan-Belgium agreement. See the Japanese nationals section: it covers pension and health on the Japanese side and pension, health, work accident and unemployment on the Belgian side, with totalisation of periods.[^33]

Taxes on employees

  • Federal brackets. For income 2026 (assessment year 2027) the reported rates are 25% up to EUR 16,720, 40% up to EUR 29,510, 45% up to EUR 51,070 and 50% above (likely; we could not read the FPS Finance tariff page).[^51]
  • Tax-free allowance. Reported at EUR 11,550 for income 2026 (about USD 12,930 / JPY 2,027,000) under the law of 15 July 2026; it works as a tax reduction, not a deduction from income (likely).[^52]
  • Municipal surcharge (gemeentebelasting, taxe communale). This is the closest equivalent of Japan's resident tax (住民税): a percentage of the federal tax set by each municipality, typically a few percent up to about 9%. For example, Ghent has 6.5% for 2026 to 2031 (reported from the council decision). It is added to the federal tax, so ask where you will live.
  • Expatriate regime. Under the law of 18 December 2025, retroactive to 1 January 2025, the inbound taxpayer regime (RSII, and RSICI for researchers) has a salary threshold of EUR 70,000 (about USD 78,350 / JPY 12,286,000) and a 35% tax-free allowance, with the old EUR 90,000 cap removed for tax. The social-security side is unchanged (30% / EUR 90,000).[^53]
  • VAT. The standard rate is 21%, with reduced rates of 12% and 6% (likely).
  • Japan convention. See the Japanese nationals section.

What this means: compare offers on net pay after ONSS and tax in your municipality, not on the gross figure alone.

Recruitment agencies and job scams

Fees. Job seekers may not be charged. In Flanders the Decree of 10 December 2010 (art. 5 9°) says an agency may not ask or receive any fee from the worker; in Brussels the ordinance of 14 July 2011 and in Wallonia the decree of 3 April 2009 say the same.[^54] In Flanders only temporary-work agencies need recognition; in Brussels and Wallonia temporary-work agencies need authorisation and other agencies are registered.[^54] Check the agency on the regional site.

Scams. Safeonweb reports WhatsApp job scams and task scams, and asks you to forward suspicious messages to [email protected] (likely; we read this through a search tool).[^55] Actiris also warns about fake offers. Never pay for "permit processing", equipment or training, and never share an ID scan before a real contract.

A five-step vacancy evidence check

  1. Copy each requirement from the advert into a table.
  2. Write your evidence next to it (task, number, tool, period).
  3. Decide where it sits on the CV (profile, role, skills).
  4. Note how you could prove it (record, sample, referee, certificate).
  5. Delete or rephrase anything you cannot support.
Vacancy requirementYour evidenceCV locationVerification
Coordinate multilingual onboarding4 years of onboarding cases in three languagesProfile and current roleCase records, manager feedback
Professional Dutch and FrenchCEFR self-assessment and work useLanguages and bulletCertificate if you have one

Tailoring means choosing relevant truth, not changing employers, dates, qualifications, work authorisation or language ability.

Final checks before you apply

  • [ ] The language matches the vacancy or portal.
  • [ ] The CV is one or two pages and the strongest evidence is easy to find.
  • [ ] Every date, qualification and language level is defensible.
  • [ ] Sensitive or unnecessary personal details are removed; the photo question is settled.
  • [ ] The permit line is short and true, or absent.
  • [ ] I know the joint committee, the minimum scale and what the package includes.
  • [ ] I checked foreign-degree or regulated-profession requirements.
  • [ ] No one asked me for a fee before a signed contract.
  • [ ] The PDF has selectable text and I saved the exact version I sent.

FAQ

What is the standard Belgium CV format?

There is no statutory national template. A practical default is a clear, vacancy-specific CV of one or two A4 pages, latest job first. Follow the live employer or portal instructions when they differ.[^1][^2]

Should a Belgium CV include a photo?

A photo is not generally mandatory. VDAB, Actiris and Le Forem say to add one if the employer asks (VDAB and Le Forem also if you wish). Leave it out when the vacancy is silent.[^1][^2][^5]

Should I include date of birth, nationality or marital status?

Do not assume these are required. The APD says employers may collect only data strictly necessary for selection.[^6]

Which language should I use?

Use the language of the vacancy or portal. If it is unclear, ask. Belgium's three official languages do not create one rule for private employers.

Do foreign degrees need Belgian recognition?

Not for most private-sector jobs. Recognition matters for regulated professions and some public jobs. Routes: NARIC-Vlaanderen, equivalences.cfwb.be (secondary) and equisup.cfwb.be (higher), and NARIC-DG.[^12][^13]

What is the minimum wage in Belgium in 2026?

EUR 2,233.61 gross a month (about USD 2,500 / JPY 392,000), after the index step in summer 2026. It was EUR 2,154.11 on 1 January and EUR 2,189.81 from 1 April. Sector scales can be higher.[^16][^17]

Can a non-EU citizen get a Belgian work permit?

Yes, through a single permit applied for by an employer. Thresholds for highly qualified workers and Blue Card holders differ by region; Flanders is EUR 48,912 and EUR 63,586 respectively in 2026.[^26]

Can Japanese citizens use a working holiday in Belgium?

No. Belgium is not on Japan's working-holiday list as of 1 April 2026.[^32]

What income tax will I pay?

Federal brackets of 25% to 50% apply, and a municipal surcharge set by your municipality is added (reported rates above).[^51]

How long is the notice period?

It depends on seniority and the start date of the contract. For contracts starting from 1 August 2026, notice in the first six months is one week; an employee's notice is at most 13 weeks.[^39][^43]

How to use AIResume

Keep one master CV in AIResume and create a version for each vacancy. Use our ATS-friendly CV guide for file checks and save the exact version and date you send.

Sources

[^1]: VDAB, CV tips and examples

[^2]: Actiris, write my CV

[^3]: World Bank, World Development Indicators: Belgium (accessed 24 October 2026)

[^4]: ECB euro foreign exchange reference rates, 23 October 2026

[^5]: Le Forem, key job-search actions (April 2026)

[^6]: Data Protection Authority (APD/GBA), recruitment of candidates

[^7]: Europass, how to self-assess your language skills

[^8]: Data Protection Act of 30 July 2018 (Belgian Official Gazette, 5 September 2018)

[^9]: Equal Opportunities Belgium, anti-discrimination legislation

[^10]: Unia, discrimination under the law

[^11]: Unisoc, situation testing against discrimination at work

[^12]: NARIC-Vlaanderen (AHOVOKS)

[^13]: French Community, equivalences.cfwb.be (secondary); equisup.cfwb.be (higher education)

[^14]: German-speaking Community, ostbelgienbildung.be

[^15]: Employment Contracts Act of 3 July 1978, art. 21 (Wallex)

[^16]: National Labour Council, CBA No. 43 amounts, 1 April 2026

[^17]: Brussels Economy and Employment, minimum pay

[^18]: Securex, pivot index exceeded 2026

[^19]: Securex, national GGMMI amounts

[^20]: FPS Employment, joint committees (1 January 2026)

[^21]: FPS Employment, PC 200 posting sheet

[^22]: FPS Employment, meal vouchers

[^23]: European Commission, Belgium economic forecast (Spring 2026, 21 May 2026)

[^24]: VRT, National Bank of Belgium projections (12 June 2026)

[^25]: VRT, Statbel population data (11 June 2026)

[^26]: Flanders, highly qualified workers

[^27]: KPMG, Flash Alert 2026-018 (Brussels and Wallonia thresholds; reported)

[^28]: Flanders, new economic-migration rules since 1 January 2026

[^29]: Social security, student contingent of 650 hours

[^30]: VDAB, job-search year after studies

[^31]: Myria, economic migration report 2025

[^32]: JAWHM, working-holiday countries (as of 1 April 2026; cites the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan)

[^33]: Japan Pension Service, Japan-Belgium social security agreement

[^34]: FPS Employment, working time

[^35]: Lexgo, voluntary overtime from 1 April 2026

[^36]: RIZIV/INAMI, incapacity benefit

[^37]: FPS Employment, birth leave

[^38]: FPS Employment, dismissal motivation (CCT 109)

[^39]: FPS Employment, end of an open-ended contract

[^40]: FPS Employment, notice periods

[^41]: Centrius, notice in the first six months from 1 August 2026 (likely)

[^42]: Forum for the Future, notice changes since 1 August 2026 (likely)

[^43]: FPS Employment, resignation notice by the employee

[^44]: FPS Employment, public holidays and replacement days

[^45]: Social security, work bonus and employee contribution of 13.07%

[^46]: Social security, partial exemption for very high salaries

[^47]: ONEM, reform of unemployment insurance

[^48]: ONEM, effects of the Constitutional Court ruling of 10 September 2026

[^49]: Flanders, pension legislation history

[^50]: Forum for the Future (blog.forumforthefuture.be), article 31380 on the pension reform, relaying RSVZ/INASTI information (likely)

[^51]: Dexxter, tax brackets in Belgium 2026 (reported)

[^52]: Claeys & Engels, personal income tax reform (August 2026); Numb3rs, tax-free sum 2026

[^53]: Andersen, expatriate status and Circular 2026/C/51

[^54]: Flanders Decree of 10 December 2010; Brussels, employment agencies; Wallonia, temporary-work agency licences

[^55]: Safeonweb

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