How Hungarians can find work in Belgium: registration, vacancies

Many Hungarians are thinking about moving to Belgium in search of stable and well-paid work. Thanks to the status of EU citizens, getting a job here is easier than it seems at first glance. In this article, we will tell you what vacancies are relevant, what is needed for legal employment and how to settle in a new place. Everything is factual – without water and bureaucratic thickets.

Peculiarities of employment in Belgium for Hungarians

Hungary is a member of the European Union, which means its citizens can freely enter Belgium and work without a visa. This greatly simplifies the employment process and allows you to focus on finding a suitable vacancy. However, despite free movement, certain formalities must be observed in order to legally start working. Below we will tell you what documents are required and what nuances you may encounter.

What documents are needed for employment in Belgium:

• Foreign passport or ID card of a Hungarian citizen.
• Residence address in Belgium (rental agreement or registration at the place of residence).
• National Social Security Registration Number (NSSO/RN).
• Bank account in a Belgian bank to receive salary.
• Registration at the local commune (commune/gemeente) within 8 working days of arrival.
• A contract or letter from the employer confirming employment.
• Register with ONEM (Employment Service) if you are looking for work through official bodies.
• Health insurance (can be obtained through the Belgian mutual aid fund – mutualité/mutualiteit).

Despite general access to the labor market, some Hungarians face difficulties with paperwork. This may be due to lack of language skills, bureaucratic delays or lack of information from the employer. This can complicate immigration to Belgium from Hungary. There are also delays in issuing the NSSO or registering at the place of residence. In such cases, it is important to clarify all requirements in advance with the local commune or the company’s HR specialist.

The Impact of Migrant Entrepreneurs on OECD Economies in Belgium.

Tip: Many employers in Belgium will help with paperwork – don’t hesitate to ask about this during the interview.

Popular Professions for Hungarians in Belgium

Belgium offers many employment opportunities for foreigners, including Hungarian citizens. Due to the high demand for specialists in various fields, Hungarians successfully find work in a wide range of economic sectors. Among the professions in demand are both skilled jobs and positions for less experienced workers.

List of professions with full description and features:

1. Engineers and technicians. Belgium has a high demand for engineers and technicians, especially in the fields of mechanical engineering, electronics and automation. Hungarians with a technical background are in demand due to the high quality of education in Hungary and the relevant experience.
2. Healthcare professionals. Doctors and medical professions are also in demand in Belgium, where there is a shortage of specialists. Hungarians with a medical education can work as doctors and nurses, as well as in other related fields, such as physiotherapists and pharmacists.
3. Construction workers and specialists. The construction sector in Belgium is booming, and blue-collar jobs such as carpenters, electricians, welders and masons remain in demand. Hungarians often choose this field because of the high salaries and comfortable working conditions.
4. IT specialists. With the development of technology, the demand for IT specialists in areas such as software development, cybersecurity and data analytics is growing. Hungarians with a relevant education can easily find work in Belgium in this field.
5. Service Sector Workers Tourism and the hotel industry also offer many jobs for foreigners. Service sector jobs are generally more accessible, requiring knowledge of several languages and the ability to work with customers.
6. Translators and linguists. Given the multilingual nature of Belgium, there is a constant need for translators and linguists who can work with different languages, including Hungarian. This profession is in demand not only in the field of document translation, but also in the technical and legal fields.

For Hungarians, there are both highly skilled jobs and jobs suitable for people with minimal experience. Belgium’s stable economy and developed social security system make the country attractive for long-term labor migration.

Museum of Musical Instruments in Brussels.

Important: If you want to speed up the job search process, it is highly recommended to improve your language skills, especially French or Dutch.

How to find a job in Belgium

Working in Belgium for Hungarian citizens is a very real task, especially with proper preparation. The first step is a competent CV in English, French or Dutch, depending on the region. It is also worth preparing a motivation letter and, if possible, letters of recommendation from previous places of work. Hungarians, as EU citizens, can work without a visa, but employers expect a high level of preparation already at the application stage.

Job Search Resources:

1. VDAB (vdab.be ) is the Flemish public employment service. The site is in Dutch, translation is available. Free vacancies, courses, consultations are offered.
2. Le Forem (leforem.be ) is an employment service in Wallonia. Support in French. There are offline offices in every major city in the region.
3. Actiris (actiris.be ) — for those looking for work in Brussels. Free access to the vacancies database, help with CV writing.
4. Jobat (jobat.be ) is a popular website with vacancies throughout the country, there are filters by experience, salary, and type of contract.
5. Indeed Belgium (be.indeed.com) — an international aggregator, provides access to thousands of vacancies. Convenient search by keywords and regions.
6. LinkedIn (linkedin.com ) is a professional network. It is recommended to create a strong profile, make connections with recruiters, and monitor job openings.
7. EURES (ec.europa.eu/ eures) is a pan-European platform where vacancies are published from employers willing to hire workers from the EU.
8. Adecco Belgium (adecco.be ) is an international employment agency. There are paid and free services for finding vacancies.
9. Randstad Belgium (randstad.be ) is another agency with a wide network of offices. Specializes in temporary and permanent employment.
10. Manpower Belgium (manpower.be ) — vacancies in various sectors. On the website you can find office contacts and apply online.

Preparation is half the battle. The more precise and specific your resume and cover letter are, the higher your chances of getting an interview invitation. It is important to adapt and prepare your job documents for each vacancy, rather than sending out the same ones. It is also worth clarifying in advance whether knowledge of languages is required – for many positions, especially in the service sector, this is mandatory.

Sexual violence among minor migrants in Belgium: a growing threat.

Interesting fact: in some regions of Belgium, knowledge of Dutch or French can almost double your chances of finding a job.

Working conditions and salaries

Work in Belgium is regulated by labor laws, which also apply to Hungarians as EU citizens. The standard working week is 38 hours, with variations depending on the sector. All employees are entitled to paid leave, as well as compensation for overtime. The employment contract can be fixed-term or open-ended, with clearly defined duties and pay. These are the basic conditions for work in Belgium for Hungarians.

Approximate salary levels in Belgium for Hungarians by profession:

Profession	Minimum wage (gross, €)	Maximum salary (gross, €)
Warehouse worker	2,000	2 800
Truck driver	2 200	3 200
Electrician	2,400	3 600
Nurse	2,500	3 800
Programmer	3,000	5 500
Builder	2 200	3,500
Cook	2 300	3 200
Cleaner	1,900	2,500
Machine operator	2 100	3,000
Logistics Specialist	2,500	4,000

The salary level in Belgium is influenced by several factors: the employee’s qualifications, work experience, industry, region and the presence of an official contract. In addition, knowledge of languages and the level of integration into the Belgian work environment play a role. Employers often offer additional bonuses: transport compensation, food, health insurance. For Hungarians as EU citizens, the path to a good salary lies through stable work and gradual development in the profession.

Work visa in Belgium for Nepalese.

Interesting fact: in Belgium, many companies review their employees’ salaries annually depending on inflation.

Taxes and social contributions

Hungarian citizens working in Belgium are subject to the same tax rules as all EU residents. Taxes in Belgium are high, but they come with a robust social security system. Income tax in the country is progressive and can range from 25 to 50 percent depending on income level. For example, a salary of 2,500 euros per month after all taxes and social security deductions may leave around 1,700 euros in hand.

List of taxes and social contributions for working Hungarian citizens in Belgium:

1. Income tax. Progressive tax scale: 25% (up to €15,200 per year), 40% (€15,200–€26,830), 45% (€26,830–€46,440) and 50% (from €46,440 per year).
2. Social Security Contributions (NSSO): The standard contribution rate is about 13.07% of the employee’s gross salary.
3. Health insurance. Contributions are usually made through the NSSO system, but a portion may be paid additionally in the case of private insurance.
4. Pension contributions. They are part of the general social security contributions and affect your future pension in Belgium.
5. Local taxes. For example, municipal income tax, which can be 6-9% depending on the region of residence.
6. Professional activity tax (in some regions).

Tax optimization is possible through the use of tax deductions and benefits provided depending on marital status, number of dependents and other factors. Hungarians, as EU citizens, have the right to consultations and assistance from tax authorities or through their employer. It is also important to keep track of all official income and expenses for filing an annual tax return. Correct tax filing allows you to avoid fines and simplify the process of receiving social benefits or compensation.

Fun fact: Some of your travel, food, and rent expenses can be claimed as tax deductions if you file your tax return correctly.

Adaptation and life in Belgium

Moving from Hungary to Belgium can be an interesting, but not always easy stage of life. Despite the common European space, the mentality, lifestyle and cultural habits are different here. Life in Belgium for Hungarians is associated with the need to adapt to a multilingual environment, differences in everyday life and other cultural nuances. However, the presence of Hungarian communities and resources for migrants makes integration easier.

Adaptation features:

1. Language environment. Depending on the region of Belgium, you will encounter French, Flemish (Dutch) or German. English is quite common in the cities, but for full integration it is advisable to learn at least the basics of the local language.
2. Cultural features. In Belgium, punctuality, privacy and restraint in communication are valued. The standard of living is high, as are expectations for the quality of work, service and communication.
3. Bureaucracy and social structure. After moving from Hungary to Belgium, you will have to get used to a more complex administrative system: you need to fill out a lot of documents when changing your address, work, registering with the municipality.
4. Hungarian communities. Large cities such as Brussels, Antwerp and Liege have active Hungarian communities. They organize cultural events, help with adaptation and maintain contact with the homeland.
5. Useful resources. Platforms like „Hungarians in Belgium” in social networks, forums and Telegram groups with migrants from Hungary are great help for beginners. It is also worth using the official resources of the Belgian authorities for migrants.

Moving to Belgium opens up new prospects for Hungarians, but requires effort, patience, and a willingness to learn. Timely paperwork, finding a suitable job, and a desire to understand the local culture will help you settle in faster and feel confident. Life in Belgium can be comfortable and fulfilling, especially if a person is open to new experiences and ready for change. Gradually, the foreign becomes familiar, and new connections and knowledge give confidence.