Flanders Raises Highly-Skilled Single Permit Salary Threshold to €47,500 for 2026
- Editorial Team
- 13 hours ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 4 minutes ago
BRUSSELS, August 3, 2026 — The Flemish Government has published new salary thresholds for highly-skilled workers under the single-permit regime, raising the minimum gross annual remuneration to €47,500 – an increase of 4.6% on last year's figure.
The new threshold, published in the Flemish Government Gazette on August 2, 2026, takes immediate effect and applies to all new single-permit applications for highly-skilled non-EEA workers seeking employment in the Flanders region.
Published: August 3, 2026 | By VisasUpdate.com Editorial Team
What Has Changed?
Aspect | Details |
New Annual Salary Threshold | €47,500 (gross) |
Previous Threshold | €45,420 |
Increase | 4.6% |
Effective Date | August 2, 2026 |
Applicable To | Highly-skilled workers under single-permit regime |
Region | Flanders (Flemish Region) |
Legal Basis | Flemish Government Gazette publication |
The increase reflects indexed wage agreements and sustained inflation, ensuring that the highly-qualified category continues to attract senior profiles rather than entry-level staff.
Grandfather Clause for Pending Applications
Applications filed before August 2, 2026 will be assessed against the old €45,420 benchmark, provided the application package remains unchanged.
Global mobility managers should:Review pending offer lettersIssue contract addenda where necessarySubmit files through the 'E-Loket' portal before any salary mismatch triggers a full re-start of the 90-day clock
How Flanders Compares Regionally and Internationally
Regional Comparison (Belgium)
Region | Highly-Skilled Annual Threshold | Status |
Flanders | €47,500 (NEW) | Updated August 2, 2026 |
Flanders (Previous) | €45,420 | Until August 1, 2026 |
Wallonia | €53,220 | Effective January 2026 |
Brussels-Capital | €44,441 (€3,703.44/month × 12) | 2025 levels retained |
International Comparison
Country | Comparable Threshold |
Netherlands | €50,600 |
Germany (EU Blue Card) | €45,300 |
Belgium (EU Blue Card) | €63,300 (unchanged) |
The new Flemish threshold remains competitive with the Netherlands but overtakes Germany's Blue Card floor of €45,300.
Full 2026 Salary Thresholds by Region
Category | Brussels (Monthly) | Wallonia (Annual) | Flanders (Annual) |
Highly Skilled Employees | €3,703.44 | €53,220.00 | €47,500.00 (NEW) |
Highly Skilled Under 30 | N/A | €42,576.00 | €39,129.60 |
Management Personnel | €6,647.20 | €88,790.00 | €78,259.00 |
EU Blue Card | €4,748.00 | €68,815.00 | €63,586.00 |
Compliance Implications for Employers
Risks of Non-Compliance
Consequence | Details |
Application Rejection | Salary mismatch triggers full re-start of the 90-day clock |
Administrative Sanctions | Fines or legal penalties |
Penal Sanctions | In worst cases, fines and imprisonment for employers |
Salary Regularisation | Employers must regularise taxes, social security, and late interest if illegal employment is found |
The federal Immigration Office will not adjudicate residence until the regional work authorisation is approved. Any salary mismatch will trigger a full re-start of the 90-day clock.
Action Items for Employers
Review pending offer letters against the new €47,500 threshold
Issue contract addenda where necessary before submitting to the E-Loket portal
Monitor Statbel updates – Flanders updates salaries within one month of new wage statistics
Conduct region-by-region cost analysis for multinationals operating across Belgium
Check EU Blue Card applications – the €63,300 threshold remains unchanged
Official Resources
Resource | Link |
Flemish Government Gazette | |
Flanders E-Loket Portal | |
Statbel (Belgian Statistics) | |
Federal Immigration Office |
Related Reading: Latest Belgium Immigration Updates
For the latest European immigration updates, work permit changes, and 2026 developments worldwide, visit: visasupdate.com/news
VisasUpdate.com – The world's most trusted visa intelligence hub. Unlock 2026 immigration breakthroughs, digital nomad policies, and real-time fee alerts—all in one place.
Bookmark us now: visasupdate.com/news – Stay ahead.