Employing a foreigner in Flanders: wages and allowances

The following categories with a specific wage criterion have their own minimum wage:
The following amounts (in Dutch)(PDF file opens in new window) are valid from 1 January 2024.

• highly skilled persons
• managerial staff
• professional athletes
• performing artists
• holders of a European Blue Card
• Intra-corporate transferees (employees transferred within a company)​​​​

For all other categories, the minimum wage is the wage prescribed by the relevant Joint Committee. The minimum wage per Joint Committee(opens in new window) can be found on the FPS WASO website.

In any case, wages may never be lower than the ‘guaranteed average minimum monthly income’ (GGMMI). The current guaranteed average minimum monthly income (in Dutch)(opens in new window) can be found on the website of the National Labour Council (in Dutch)(PDF file opens in new window) (NAR).

• previously 1 November 2023: € 1.994,18
• previously 1 April 2024: € 2.029,88
• previously 1 May 2024: € 2.070,48
• currently 1 February 2025: € 2.111,89

Shortage occupations are classified as medium-skilled positions. This means that a worker employed in a medium-skilled shortage occupation must be paid in the minimum ‘skilled’ category according to the competent Joint Committee.

For meal vouchers, ecocheques, sport and culture cheques, etc. and for hospitalisation and/or group insurance, the employer’s contribution is regarded as gross salary.

To calculate the monthly salary from the gross annual salary for local employment (with a Belgian employment contract) divide the gross annual salary by 13.92 if the employee receives a thirteenth month in addition to double holiday pay. For 2025, this means
€ 48.912 : 13.92 = € 3.513,79/month.

For example: highly skilled persons € 48.912 / 13.92 = gross monthly salary €3.513,79.

To calculate the monthly salary from the gross annual salary for a posting (with a foreign employment contract) divide the gross annual salary by 12 as the Belgian regulation of a thirteenth month and holiday pay does not apply to foreign wage composition.
For example: highly skilled persons € 48.912 / 12 = gross monthly salary €4.076,00.

The allowances associated with posting are considered by the government as part of the pay conditions. This is not the case if the employee is paid these allowances to reimburse expenses during the posting. For example: travel costs, accommodation costs and food costs.

In the case of Belgian local employment, wages can be indexed and, over time, this means a higher gross monthly salary than that stated in the employment contract. However, if this automatic increase (seniority) is not sufficient to reach the new (indexed) annual salary required for a work permit, then you must submit a new employment contract or an addendum to the Economic Migration Department. This is to show that the employee’s salary meets the new (higher) wage standard.