Belgium to mandate online filing for select work permits from May 1

Belgium will require certain work permit applications to be submitted only through a government digital platform starting May 1, 2026. The change will apply to short-work permits and commuter permits, replacing the current system where applications are sent by email to authorities.

According to a report by Fragomen, no other submission method will be accepted once the rule takes effect. Applications must be filed through the federal “Working in Belgium” online portal, and email or PDF submissions will no longer be accepted.

The move is part of a wider shift towards digital processing across the country’s immigration system.

The system is expected to help authorities identify admissibility issues more quickly and reduce the risk of lost emails or unclear filing timelines.

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Employers and their authorised representatives will need valid digital access credentials to use the platform. They are also advised to allow sufficient time to set up the required mandates before submitting applications.