More Opportunities, Stricter Rules: How is Labor Migration Evolving in 2025?

Recent developments regarding labor migration affect both employers and employees. Labor migration remains a key focus within labor market policies, especially given the increasing labor shortages and the demand for specific skills in certain sectors.

The New VDAB List of Shortage Occupations

As of May 2024 one can no longer apply for a single permit for just any position. Within the residual category ‘other‘, for which a labor market survey is required, a single permit can only be requested for roles listed on the VDAB (Flemish Service for Employment Mediation and Vocational Training) shortage occupation list. This list is reviewed annually. On February 1st, the list for 2025 was published.

The number of shortage occupations has increased again. In 2024, the list included 241 occupations. This year, there are 251 shortage occupations. The demand for technical profiles remains high.

The following occupations have been added:

• Safety Coordinator
• Operator of concrete and asphalt machines
• Temporary employment agency consultant
• Funeral service employee
• Public safety employee: security agent
• General hotel staff member
• Housekeeping staff
• Dishwasher
• Salesperson of sports and leisure goods
• Bicycle mechanic
• Paper and cardboard machine operator
• Audiologist/hearing care professional
• International freight transport employee
• Warehouse employee
• Paramedic in non-urgent patient transport
• Stage technician
• Sports activity supervisor: lifeguard
• Assembly operator for clothing and textile products

The following positions can no longer be found on the list:

• Salesperson of clothing and accessories
• Vehicle salesperson
• Production manager in electrical and electronic materials
• Electrode welder
• Vehicle bodywork builder
• Postman
• Inland skipper/helmsman

It is important to note that in case of certain positions on the VDAB list, one must apply for a specific single permit for highly-skilled workers, as those roles are open exclusively to higher-educated employees.

Coalition Agreement

The recent Belgian coalition agreement also addresses labor migration, focusing on international cooperation and better integration into the labor market.

Some favorable developments include:

• Promotion of highly skilled knowledge migration and medium-skilled labor migration.
• Reduction of long processing times for single permit applications. An investigation into the possibility of parallel processing of admissible applications by the Immigration Office and the regional economic migration service will take place. Currently, these processes run consecutively, resulting in long waiting times, sometimes of up to 6 months. Employers need workers sooner.
• Making the expat regime more attractive by increasing benefits to bring international talent to Belgium and enable new business opportunities.

In the context of making the expat regime more appealing, several adjustments are proposed. For instance, the minimum annual salary for expats will be reduced from €75,000 to €70,000. Additionally, the ‘expat allowance’ will increase from 30% to 35% of gross remuneration, enhancing the financial benefit for expats. Finally, the current cap on the expat allowance, which is set at €90,000, will be completely removed, eliminating the ceiling for this additional benefit. These changes aim to contribute to a more attractive business climate for international talent in Belgium.

The coalition agreement specifically emphasizes:

• Protection of the labor migrant who is a victim of social violations by the employer.
• The possibility to seek other employment: the period of residence retention of three months after the labor migrant is dismissed or resigns will be generalized. For workers with a single permit who fall victim to social violations by their employer, an extended period of six months of residence retention will be granted. When labor migrants no longer meet the conditions, they must return to their country of origin.
• The fight against fraudulent arrangements and exploitation of posted labor migrants by way of stricter controls.

The announced measures in the coalition agreement show that the government is actively seeking ways to address labor market shortages, while simultaneously aiming for a fair and sustainable migration policy. It is important to keep track of these developments, as they will undoubtedly impact tomorrow’s labor market.

Our experts closely monitor these developments and are ready to assist you with any questions regarding labor migration.