Work in Belgium for Greek citizens: tips and growth prospects

For Greek citizens, employment in Belgium is a chance to improve their career, an opportunity to experience European life in a stable and developed country. Belgium, with its high living standards and job opportunities, opens its doors to foreign specialists. In this article, we will talk about the benefits of working in Belgium for Greeks, the process of obtaining a work visa, as well as professions and working conditions in the country.

Advantages and disadvantages of working in Belgium

Greeks choose Belgium to work for a number of reasons, from a stable economy to a high level of social protection. The country is convenient for foreign specialists, including Greek citizens, with opportunities in the fields and favorable conditions for labor migration. But there are a number of challenges that newcomers face, including the peculiarities of legislation and the labor market. In this section, we will take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of working in Belgium for Greek residents.

Advantages:

• High salary level. The country has some of the highest salaries in Europe, which is convenient for foreign workers.

• Social guarantees. The state offers a system of social protection – health insurance, pension payments and unemployment benefits.
• Developed infrastructure. Developed transport system and public services facilitate adaptation and everyday life.
• Availability of vacancies in various fields. The Belgian labour market offers jobs in such fields as healthcare, IT, construction and agriculture.
• Easy employment process for EU citizens. As EU citizens, Greeks do not need a visa to work, making the relocation process easier.
• Language advantage: Greeks who speak English or other European languages can easily integrate into the work environment.

Flaws:

• High taxes. It has one of the highest tax rates in Europe, which can significantly reduce real wages.

• Language barrier: In some regions, especially Wallonia, French is mandatory for work, which can be difficult for Greeks who do not speak it.
• High cost of living: Rent in Belgium and other costs in major cities such as Brussels and Antwerp can be high.
• Competition in the labor market. Due to the high standard of living and developed labor market, competition for good jobs is quite high.
• Difficulty in adapting: Although there are jobs, the process of adapting to Belgium can take time, especially in terms of social integration and getting used to local habits.

At the beginning of 2025, more than 30 thousand Greek citizens work in Belgium. Most of them are employed in the areas of health care, construction and agriculture. Given the steadily growing demand for labor, the number of Greeks working in Belgium continues to increase, which indicates the attractiveness of this destination for migrants.

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Important: The country is known for its high standard of living and quality healthcare, which makes it attractive not only for work, but also for long-term residence.

What is needed for legalization in the country

For Greek citizens, employment in Belgium does not require a work visa, as both countries are members of the European Union. This gives Greek residents an advantage in legalizing their stay and work in Belgium. But in order to officially work, it is necessary to go through the registration procedure and obtain some documents to become a fully legal worker in the country. In this section, we will tell you in detail what is needed for legalization, where to apply and what steps to take before immigrating to Belgium from Greece.

What is needed for legalization in Belgium for Greek citizens:

1. Registration with the municipality:
   • What you need: Registration application, identification document (passport or ID card), proof of residence.
   • Where to apply: Municipality at your place of residence.
   • Address : Depends on where you live, for example in Brussels – Brussels City Hall.
   • Telephone : Depends on the municipality.
   • Website: www.brussels.be (or the website of a specific city)
   • Waiting time : Usually from a few days to a week.
   • Cost of service: Free.
2. Obtaining a Social Security Number:
   • What you need: Filling out a form, confirmation of registration with the municipality, document confirming employment or being looking for work.
   • Where to apply: To the Social Insurance Institute (ONSS).
   • Address : Depends on the region.
   • Phone : Depends on the region.
   • Website: www.onss.be
   • Waiting time : Usually 1-2 weeks.
   • Cost of service: Free.
3. Register with the tax authority:
   • What you need: Filing a tax return.
   • Where to apply: Federal Tax Service.
   • Address : Please contact your local tax office for details.
   • Phone : Varies by location.
   • Website: www.finances.belgium.be
   • Waiting time: 1-2 weeks.
   • Cost of service: Free.

To simplify the legalization process, you need to collect all the necessary documents in advance and strictly follow the instructions of the authorities you need to contact. It is also recommended to consult a lawyer or immigration specialist to ensure that the documents are submitted correctly. This approach will help avoid mistakes and speed up the process of obtaining legal status.

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Tip: Knowing at least one of the official languages of Belgium (French, Dutch or German) will make your life much easier during the legalization process.

Work for Greeks in Belgium: in-demand professions

Greeks can find work in Belgium in various fields, from the hotel business to IT. Thanks to free movement in the EU, they do not need a work visa. The greatest chances of getting a job are for specialists in the service, medicine, construction and technology sectors. Let’s consider which professions are especially in demand for Greeks in Belgium.

List of professions for Greeks in Belgium:

1. Hotel and restaurant industry
   • Waiters, cooks and administrators are needed in hotels, cafes and restaurants, especially in tourist cities.
   • For work in the service sector, knowledge of French, Dutch or English will be an advantage.
   • The average salary of a waiter is 2,000–2,500 euros per month, a cook – 2,500–3,500 euros.
2. Construction
   • Belgium is constantly in need of skilled workers: electricians, plumbers, masons, welders.
   • Good specialists can earn from 3,000 euros per month.
   • Having work experience and proven qualifications increases your chances of finding a job.
3. Medicine and care for the elderly
   • Doctors, nurses, caregivers, and physiotherapists are in demand.
   • To work in the medical field, you will need proof of your diploma and knowledge of the local language.
   • A nurse’s salary starts from 2,500 euros, a doctor’s salary starts from 4,000 euros.
4. IT and digital technologies
   • Developers, system administrators and analysts are in demand in Belgian and international companies.
   • It is possible to work in English, but knowledge of French or Dutch will give more opportunities.
   • Salaries range from 3,000 to 6,000 euros depending on experience.
5. Logistics and transport
   • Truck drivers, warehouse operators and logisticians can find stable work.
   • Drivers of categories C and CE are offered a salary of 2,500 euros.
   • Having the necessary licenses and work experience is important.

Greeks who do not want to work in an office or in production can choose remote employment. In Belgium, you can work remotely in IT, marketing, design, as well as translation or online teaching. In addition, there is the opportunity to open your own business and run it remotely. Working from home is becoming increasingly popular among expats.

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Tip: There are Greek diasporas in the country’s major cities where you can get support and advice on finding a job.

Taxes and social contributions in Belgium

The tax system in Belgium is based on a progressive scale, which means that the higher the income, the higher the percentage of it is withheld as tax. In addition to income tax, employees and employers are required to make social contributions, which are used to finance healthcare, pensions and other social programs. Greek citizens working in Belgium are subject to the same tax rules as local residents. It is important to understand what taxes and contributions you will have to pay in order to correctly calculate your net salary.

Taxes and mandatory social contributions

1. Income tax
   • calculated on a progressive scale: from 25% for low incomes to 50% for high incomes
   • the employer withholds tax from the salary and transfers it to the tax service
   • example: with an annual income of 40,000 euros, the rate will be about 45%
2. Employee social contributions
   • make up approximately 13.07% of gross wages
   • go towards pension provision, health insurance, unemployment benefits
   • example: if the gross salary is 3,000 euros, the contributions will be about 392 euros
3. Employer’s social contributions
   • make up about 25% of an employee’s salary
   • cover pensions, insurance, sick pay
   • example: if an employee’s salary is 3,000 euros, the employer pays an additional 750 euros
4. Value Added Tax (VAT)
   • standard rate 21%, for some goods and services reduced rates of 6% and 12%
   • included in the cost of goods and services, paid by the buyer

High taxes and social contributions in Belgium significantly affect the final amount that an employee receives in hand. For example, with a gross salary of 3,000 euros, after deducting taxes and contributions, about 2,000 euros may remain. However, these deductions allow for high-quality social guarantees such as health insurance and pensions. Before signing an employment contract, it is important to clarify what amount will be paid after all deductions.

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Important: Belgium is among the EU countries with the highest tax burden on wages, but at the same time provides one of the most developed social packages for workers.

How to find work for Greeks in Belgium

For Greek citizens, finding a job in Belgium can be relatively easy due to the absence of visa restrictions. However, to find a successful job, it is important to prepare the documents correctly and choose effective ways to search for vacancies. The first step is to write a competent resume and collect letters of recommendation that confirm your qualifications and experience. This will help to interest employers and increase the chances of getting the desired position.

Ways to find a job in Belgium for Greek citizens:

1. Online job platforms:

1. • LinkedIn ( www.linkedin.com ) is an international network of professionals that allows you to search for vacancies and establish contacts with recruiters.
   • Indeed ( www.indeed.be ) is a job aggregator with filtering by region and industry.
   • StepStone ( www.stepstone.be ) is one of the largest Belgian platforms with offers in various fields.
   • Kosten : Free for applicants.

2. State employment services:

1. • Forem ( www.leforem.be ) is a job placement service in Wallonia, providing access to vacancies and advice.
   • Actiris ( www.actiris.be ) is an employment agency in Brussels that helps with job search and adaptation.
   • VDAB ( www.vdab.be ) is the Flemish employment service, offering courses, internships and job vacancies.
   • Kosten : Free.

3. Private recruiting agencies:

1. • Randstad ( www.randstad.be ) is a large agency engaged in the selection of personnel for various industries.
   • Adecco ( www.adecco.be ) is an international agency with vacancies in the administrative, technical and industrial sectors.
   • Manpower ( www.manpower.be ) – specialises in temporary and permanent employment.
   • Kosten : Free for applicants, services are paid by the employer.

4. Appeal to Greek communities:

1. • Greek cultural and business associations in Belgium can help with advice and contacts.
   • The Greek Community of Brussels ( www.hellenic.be ) – support and assistance to compatriots in finding work.
   • Kosten : Free.

In addition to traditional methods, you can look for work by contacting companies directly, especially if they have vacancies that are not posted on websites. It is useful to attend job fairs and professional events where you can meet potential employers. You can also consider internships and temporary contracts, which often develop into long-term cooperation. The more different channels you use, the higher the likelihood of finding a job faster.

Interesting fact: some companies are willing to hire Greeks, especially in the logistics, tourism and restaurant industries, as they value their knowledge of languages and international experience.

Salary overview

Salaries for Greek citizens working in Belgium depend on several factors, including the field of work, experience, region of employment, and knowledge of local languages. In large cities such as Brussels and Antwerp, average salaries are higher, but living expenses are also significant. In addition, wage levels may vary depending on collective agreements and tax burden. In this section, we will look at the minimum and maximum salaries in popular fields of employment.

Salary table for Greeks in Belgium

Profession	Minimum wage (per month, €)	Maximum salary (per month, €)
Waiter	1,900	2,500
Warehouse worker	2,000	2 800
Truck driver	2 200	3,500
Administrator	2 300	3 200
Engineer	3,500	6 500
IT specialist	3,000	6,000
Nurse	2,400	4,000
Teacher	2 200	3 800
Electrician	2,500	4 500
Architect	3,000	5 500

To increase your income in Belgium, it is worth investing in learning local languages and improving your qualifications. In-demand specialists with work experience and specialized skills can expect a higher salary. It is also worth considering the possibility of working under a contract with bonuses or premiums. Showing initiative and participating in corporate training increases the chances of career growth and increased income.

Important: in the country, annual indexation of wages protects workers from inflation, which makes the income level more stable.