On September 29, 2025, data from Belgian and European Union (EU) sources revealed a notable decrease in the number of foreign workers heading to Belgium, whether through EU posting mechanisms or national visa channels. This downward trend is attributed to a combination of economic stagnation and tightening immigration regulations that have reshaped labor dynamics in the country.
In 2024, approximately 205,000 individuals were employed in Belgium under the EU’s temporary work posting framework—marking a drop of nearly 25% compared to the 267,000 recorded in 2017. Under this arrangement, employees remain formally registered in their home countries while working temporarily in Belgium, maintaining their original social security coverage. For example, construction professionals from Portugal may be deployed to Belgian sites without formally transferring employment.
Parallel declines are evident among non-EU nationals. The issuance of long-stay work visas fell by 9% in 2024, amounting to slightly more than 8,000 permits. Meanwhile, work-related residence authorizations remained stable at around 39,000, while short-term work permits saw a 12% reduction over the previous year, according to data cited by the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA).
Despite the overall dip, a specific category known as “double postings” has grown. This model involves non-EU citizens being initially hired in one EU member state before being transferred to Belgium. In 2024, nearly 50,000 workers entered Belgium through this route—an increase of 10% over two years. Key countries of origin include Ukraine, Brazil, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and India. Sectors such as construction, logistics, and agriculture continue to depend on these international staffing pipelines to meet workforce demands.
Economic conditions are widely seen as the primary driver behind the reduced inflow. Belgium has faced sluggish growth and rising operational costs, dampening employer appetite for foreign labor. An assessment by Fakti.bg, referencing official sources, noted that “the reasons for these phenomena are related to the economic situation.” Additional barriers, including stricter entry and residency rules for non-EU citizens, have further contributed to the decline.
Even among EU nationals—who retain the right to live and work in Belgium without visas—the number of posted workers has dropped by nearly 62,000 since 2017. This suggests that both hiring demand and worker mobility are being influenced by broader labor market constraints.
Looking ahead, new EU-wide systems are set to reshape border management. Starting October 12, 2025, the Entry/Exit System (EES) will replace manual passport stamps with digital tracking at Schengen borders, using biometric data such as fingerprints and facial recognition to monitor compliance with stay durations. This could impact seasonal and temporary workers, particularly as labor demand softens and oversight intensifies.
By late 2026, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will require advance screening for about 1.4 billion travelers from 59 visa-exempt nations wishing to visit Schengen countries, including Belgium. While ETIAS allows multiple entries over three years, it does not guarantee entry—final admission decisions will remain with border officials.
Together with the stagnation in residence permits, these developments signal a more controlled environment for migration. Travelers and job seekers will need not only employment contracts or permits but also full adherence to enhanced border protocols.
The broader implications touch on EU-wide discussions about immigration strategy. Policymakers are balancing the need to fill labor shortages with public expectations for tighter migration oversight. Systems like EES and ETIAS reflect a move toward standardized, secure, and digitally integrated entry procedures across member states.
For countries like Belgium, this evolving framework means national labor policies will increasingly align with pan-European standards. Regions historically reliant on cross-border or seasonal labor may need to shift toward domestic hiring or automation as international recruitment becomes more complex.
Ultimately, Belgium’s experience illustrates how economic performance, national legislation, and EU-level reforms collectively shape a migration landscape that is more regulated and constrained than in previous years. While current trends point to reduced mobility, they may also prompt innovation in workforce planning and integration strategies in the long term.
— news from ETIAS.com
— News Original —
Work Migration to Belgium Drops as EU Postings Decline
29 Sep 2025 n nFewer foreign workers are moving to Belgium, both through EU rules and national visa programs, according to new data from Belgian and European Union (EU) authorities. n nReports from the federal migration center Myria and national media confirm the drop, linking it to shifts in the economy and recent policy changes that affect the country’s labor force. n nWeaker numbers n nIn 2024, about 205,000 people worked in Belgium under EU “posting” rules—almost 25% fewer than the 267,000 recorded in 2017. n nThe posting system lets workers take temporary jobs in Belgium while staying under their home country’s social security. For instance, Portuguese construction workers can work on Belgian sites but remain employed in Portugal. n nAt the same time, fewer economic migrants are arriving from outside the EU. The number of long-stay work visas dropped by 9% in 2024, to just over 8,000. n nWork-related residence permits have stayed around 39,000, while short-term permits for temporary jobs fell by 12% over the past year, according to figures reported by the Bulgarian news agency BTA. n nRise in “double postings” n nWhile overall EU labor postings have declined, one type has grown: “double postings.” In this setup, non-EU workers are first hired in one EU country and then sent to Belgium. n nIn 2024, nearly 50,000 people worked in Belgium this way, a 10% increase in just two years. Most came from Ukraine, Brazil, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and India. n nThe rise shows that even as direct postings from within the EU fall, Belgian employers and recruiters still depend on global hiring networks. Construction, logistics, and agriculture especially rely on these arrangements to meet labor needs. n nEconomic backdrop n nOfficials linked the slowdown in work migration mainly to economic factors. Belgium has seen weak growth and higher costs in recent years, reducing demand for foreign workers. n nAn analysis by Fakti.bg, citing national authorities, stated that “the reasons for these phenomena are related to the economic situation.” Stricter rules on entry and residence for non-EU nationals have added to the decline. n nEven though EU citizens can still live and work in Belgium without visas, their numbers have also fallen. Since 2017, posted EU workers have dropped by almost 62,000 over seven years. n nThe trend shows that both employer demand and worker interest in moving have been shaped by wider labor market pressures. n n(Image courtesy of gorodenkoff via iStock) n nShifting conditions for travelers, migrants n nThe drop in work migration to Belgium affects both short-term workers and long-term migrants across the EU. n nStarting October 12, 2025, the Entry/Exit System (EES) will replace passport stamps with digital records at all Schengen borders. It will collect fingerprints and facial scans to track overstays and prevent misuse of visa-free travel. n nFor people entering Belgium on seasonal or short-term work contracts, lower demand for labor and stricter digital checks could mean fewer opportunities and closer monitoring of stay limits. n nIn late 2026, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will add another step. Around 1.4 billion travelers from 59 visa-free countries will need advance authorization to visit Schengen states, including Belgium, for short stays. n nETIAS will allow multiple entries over three years but will not guarantee admission—border guards will still check if travelers meet entry rules. n nTogether with the leveling off of Belgian residence permits, these measures point to tighter entry conditions. Migrants and visitors will need not only job offers or permits but also full compliance with stricter border controls. n nInfluence on broader immigration strategies n nThe decline in labor migration to Belgium ties into wider EU debates on immigration policy. n nGovernments face the challenge of filling labor gaps while addressing public concerns about migration control. New systems like EES and ETIAS reflect a shift toward tighter monitoring and unified entry rules. n nFor EU countries, including Belgium, this means national policies will operate within a more unified European system. States that once depended heavily on posted or seasonal workers may need to rely more on local recruitment or automation as migrant inflows decline. n nAt the same time, these EU-wide digital systems aim to improve security and create consistent border management across all member states. n nBelgium’s case shows how economic pressures, national laws, and EU systems combine to create a migration environment that is more tightly regulated and more limited than in the past. n n(Image courtesy of dennisvdw via iStock) n nBelgium’s economic crossroads n nWork migration to Belgium is falling, with fewer EU postings and a drop in long-stay permits showing how economic conditions and new policies affect labor mobility. n nFor employers, this means rethinking how they hire. For workers, it may mean reconsidering Belgium as a place to build opportunities. n nThe data confirms a slowdown but also points to a changing labor market that could create new options in the future. n nAs Belgium and the EU adjust their migration rules, the direction of economic migration will depend on balancing labor needs, integration, and national priorities.