Context:

On 18 November 2005, in the framework of the move toward Administrative Simplification, the Government agreed to pass new rules regarding work permits. These new rules aim to create an increase in the mobility of non-European managers and researchers and highly qualified non-Europeans.

News:

According to the information released:

• Non-European managers (referred to as “leading positions” in the past), will no longer need work permits if the following two conditions are fulfilled:
- the employer needs to appear on a (yet unpublished) list of multinationals. The companies concerned are Belgian export-oriented companies and multinationals with their worldwide or European headquarters in Belgium;
- the employee must earn an annual minimum of EUR 43,043.00.

• Researchers and highly qualified non-Europeans with a minimum income of EUR 32,261 per year will no longer need a work permit where the company they work for is on a list of recognised research centres.

• There will be a temporary exemption for work permits and authorisations to employ for short-term assignments.

• Professional cards will be issued more flexibly.

The above rules are still at the stage of draft legislation. Until the final texts are formally approved by the Government and published as a royal decree in the official gazette, the existing rules remain applicable.