Belgium has officially released its revised shortage occupation list for 2025, identifying 81 professions now eligible for expedited work visa processing. This update marks a strategic shift in the country’s immigration and labour policies, reflecting the changing dynamics of its workforce needs. The move is expected to make it easier for foreign professionals to gain employment in sectors with limited local talent, particularly in technology and other critical industries.

Issued annually by the regional employment agency Actiris, the updated list streamlines the work permit application process for both employers and foreign job seekers. By identifying key sectors in need of skilled labour, the shortage list allows employers to bypass the typically mandatory labour market test—a requirement that normally obliges companies to prove no suitable Belgian or EU workers are available before hiring a foreign national.

Labour Market Adjustments Drive Changes

The 2025 update is a continuation of Belgium’s approach to aligning its workforce policies with current economic demands. Compared to the previous year’s 82 listed occupations, the latest list is slightly more selective, now featuring 81 roles. While the reduction in total numbers appears modest, the shift in focus is significant.

Notably, the list has reduced emphasis on general sales and personal service roles, cutting several of these occupations. Only two of the nine sales-related jobs from last year were retained, reflecting a diminishing need for foreign workers in routine sales functions. Similarly, roles like public safety officers, home cleaners, and hairdressers were removed, leaving security guards as the sole remaining personal service occupation. These cuts indicate a pivot away from domestic and entry-level services toward highly specialized sectors.

In contrast, the IT sector saw notable growth in representation. New entries include software developers, cybersecurity experts, and network engineers—professions that underscore Belgium’s growing investment in digital infrastructure and a knowledge-based economy. This tech-friendly adjustment reflects Brussels’ ambition to establish itself as a competitive digital hub within Europe.

Occupations That Commonly Appear on the List

While the full 2025 list has yet to be made publicly available, historically included professions provide a reliable indication of the types of roles Belgium considers crucial to its economic stability. Commonly featured occupations include:

• Information Technology: Software developers, system administrators, cybersecurity specialists

• Engineering: Mechanical, electrical, and civil engineers

• Healthcare: Registered nurses, radiologists, and medical specialists

• Skilled Trades: Welders, electricians, plumbers, machine operators

• Transport and Logistics: Truck drivers, freight dispatchers

• Finance and Accounting: Accountants, financial auditors

• Project Management and Administration: Technical coordinators, operations managers

• Security Services: Security guards and surveillance specialists

These professions are often prioritized due to chronic shortages of qualified local candidates, and their inclusion in the list facilitates quicker hiring processes for employers.

Streamlined Visa Options for Eligible Professionals

Inclusion on the shortage occupation list provides a major advantage to foreign professionals: employers no longer need to conduct a local labour market test before hiring for these roles. This fast-track system makes Belgium an attractive destination for skilled immigrants seeking long-term employment and residency.

The most commonly used pathway remains the Single Permit, which combines a residence and work permit for those staying longer than 90 days. This permit allows for a simplified application process when the role is on the shortage list.

However, for individuals whose professions are not on the list, other visa routes remain open:

• Type A Permit: Granted to long-term residents, valid indefinitely.

• Type B Permit: Tied to a specific employer and valid for one year, renewable.

• Type C Permit: Meant for short-term or temporary residents, such as asylum seekers or students.

• EU Blue Card: Designed for highly skilled workers with job offers exceeding salary thresholds, offering enhanced mobility within the EU.

• Working Holiday Visa: Available to young citizens (aged 18–30) from select countries like Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, allowing limited work and travel within Belgium.

Policy Implications and Outlook

Belgium’s periodic review of its shortage occupation list reflects an ongoing effort to match labour market demand with immigration policy. The 2025 update sends a clear message that the country is prioritizing digitalization, skilled engineering, healthcare, and other sectors essential to its economic resilience.

At the same time, the removal of roles in the personal services sector suggests a tightening of entry for foreign nationals in low-skilled jobs. This aligns with broader European trends where immigration strategies are increasingly geared toward filling critical labour gaps rather than supporting general workforce expansion.

For job seekers abroad, particularly in the tech and engineering fields, Belgium now presents a viable and streamlined route for relocation. For Belgian employers, especially those struggling to recruit from a shrinking local talent pool, the updated list offers an opportunity to fill positions more quickly and efficiently.

In the months ahead, further clarity is expected on the specifics of each listed occupation and how regional differences within Belgium (notably between Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels) may influence application requirements. Nonetheless, the 2025 shortage list reinforces Belgium’s commitment to maintaining a flexible, demand-driven approach to labour migration.