Belgium updates cross-border labor market trends and residency rules

Recent data and new regulations are reshaping the cross-border labor market in Belgium. According to an analysis by SD Worx, over 85,500 Belgians work in neighboring countries, with Luxembourg remaining the primary destination for 48,601 workers. Conversely, nearly 52,000 employees from France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg work in Belgium, with a notable increase in the influx of French workers.

To manage these movements, a new royal decree has updated the regulatory framework for the residency status of cross-border workers. The rules now distinguish between three categories: EU citizens, third-country nationals living on the European mainland, and third-country nationals residing in the United Kingdom. For EU citizens, the process has been significantly simplified, allowing them to work in Belgium without additional administrative formalities as long as they maintain their primary residence in a neighboring country. Third-country nationals living on the mainland must obtain a specific document, known as ‘bijlage 64’, to support their professional travel, though this does not grant them Belgian residency rights.