Finding a Job

Where to look and what to do if looking for employment in Belgium...

There are three employment services in Belgium catering for the different communities. EEA nationals have free access to their services. Non-EEA nationals can make use of the websites but can usually only access other services once they have the necessary work permit.

Flemish Community:

Brussels/Central region:

Wallonia:

The websites allow job seekers to register their CV online and to search the database of job vacancies. They also carry information about training and support for job seekers, including language courses.

Employment Agencies

Agencies deal either with permanent or temporary work. As labour legislation gives employees extensive rights after 12 months' service, many employers prefer to have a lot of temporary staff. Temporary contracts vary in duration but are not usually longer than six months. Trial periods are common and these can last for several months.

Employment agencies can be found in the Belgian equivalent of Yellow Pages - Pages d'Or/Gouden Gids. They will be listed under Bureaux de Placement/Aanwervingsbureaus for permanent positions or under Interimaires/Tijdelijke Arbeidi for temporary work.

The Press

All the main daily newspapers in Belgium have a vacancies section. Some also have websites where vacancies are posted.

Chambers of Commerce

The local Chamber of Commerce can be a useful source of company information for speculative applications. It is always best to address an application to a named individual and covering letters in your own handwriting are preferable.

EURES - European Employment Service

This is a partnership between the various employment services within the EEA aimed to support the movement of workers. Anyone who is a citizen of the EEA has access to the service. EURES also offers general information about working in EEA member states and employs specialist advisers to help those looking for work outside their country of origin.

Vacancies are circulated to other agencies allowing individuals to see details of vacancies in other countries. Job hunting can therefore begin even before relocating to Belgium for EEA citizens. It is also possible to post a CV on the EURES website which can then be viewed by companies looking for staff.