Remote Work in Belgium
Belgium offers a solid environment for remote workers, with reliable infrastructure, a central European location, and a growing coworking culture driven by the EU institution ecosystem and startup scene.
Visa Considerations
No dedicated digital nomad visa — Belgium has not created a specific remote work visa. Options include:
Professional Card: Best option for long-term self-employed remote workers. Requires demonstrating economic utility and a business plan. Valid for 2 years initially, extendable to 5 years.
Single Permit: For those employed by a Belgian company offering remote work flexibility.
Tourist/Schengen: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Working remotely for a non-Belgian employer is a legal grey area.
Internet & Connectivity
Belgium has good internet infrastructure:
- Average download speed: ~80-100 Mbps
- Fiber: Expanding across major cities (Proximus, Orange)
- Mobile data: 4G/5G coverage good in urban areas
- Public WiFi: Available in many cafés, libraries, and public spaces
Coworking Spaces
Brussels:
- Silversquare (multiple locations, from €250/month)
- Fosbury & Sons (premium, design-focused)
- WeWork Brussels (international chain)
- Betacowork (community-focused, affordable)
- B19 (exclusive business club)
Antwerp:
- Humgy Cowork Space (24/7 access, creative vibe)
- Friday Cowork (community-oriented)
- Fosbury & Sons Antwerp
Ghent:
- CoCo Ghent
- BluePoint Gent
Costs: €150-400/month for dedicated desk, €15-40/day for hot desk
Remote Work Culture
Working hours: Belgium has strong labor protections with a standard 38-hour work week. Since November 2022, employees in Belgium have the legal right to request a 4-day work week (compressed hours). Right to disconnect legislation also applies.
Work-life balance: Generally good, though work culture varies between regions. Flemish companies tend to be more pragmatic, while Brussels international organizations follow varied cultures.
Tax Implications
Tax residency: If you spend 183+ days in Belgium, you're likely a tax resident and must file Belgian taxes.
Self-employed: Must register with a social insurance fund and the Banque-Carrefour des Entreprises (BCE/KBO). Quarterly social security contributions apply (minimum ~€871/quarter).
VAT: Belgian VAT exemption for freelancers with turnover under €25,000. If doing EU-wide business, total EU turnover must stay under €100,000.
Best Areas for Remote Workers
| Area | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Brussels EU Quarter | International, many coworking spaces | Expensive, can feel sterile |
| Ixelles/Saint-Gilles | Vibrant cafés, diverse, central | Can be noisy |
| Antwerp South | Creative scene, affordable | Less international |
| Ghent center | University town vibe, compact | Smaller coworking scene |
| Leuven | Tech hub, KU Leuven, affordable | Smaller city |
Digital Nomad Community
Meetups:
- Brussels Digital Nomads
- Startup Brussels events
- Meetup.com tech groups
- EU institutions networking events
Online:
- Facebook: "Digital Nomads Brussels," "Expats in Brussels"
- Reddit: r/belgium, r/brussels
Pro Tips
- •Professional Card is the best long-term option for self-employed remote workers
- •Silversquare and Betacowork are popular coworking choices in Brussels
- •Belgium's central location makes it easy to travel to other EU capitals
- •Register with a social insurance fund if working as a freelancer
- •The 4-day work week law (compressed hours) applies to employees since 2022
Have questions about remote work in Belgium?