Brussels, the Capital of Belgium, recently rolled out its newly revised list of shortage occupations. This key annual update quietly but powerfully shapes the city’s job market and immigration possibilities.

As of July 1, 2025, the shortage list encompasses 81 professions, one fewer than last year, with several notable shifts reflecting changes in Brussels’ evolving economy and labour demands

What Is the Brussels Shortage Occupation List?

The Brussels shortage occupation list, issued by Actiris, highlights professions facing a shortage of qualified local talent. Jobs on this list allow employers to hire foreign workers more easily, waiving the usual labour market testing requirements for work permits.

Key Changes for 2025

This year’s list tightens and refines its scope:

• The sales sector shrank from nine roles to just two. Employers looking to sponsor foreign sales workers will have fewer avenues through this route.
• Personal services jobs—including public safety officer, home cleaner, and hairdresser- have been removed, but the security guard remains.
• Several new IT professions were added, a clear nod to Brussels’ booming demand for digital talent.
• The list will stay in effect for one year. There’s no official word yet on how applications submitted before July 1 for now-removed roles will be handled.

What Are the Shortage Professions?

While the official list includes 81 detailed occupational titles, some commonly featured roles across recent years have included:

• IT specialists (software developers, network administrators, cybersecurity experts)
• Engineers (mechanical, electrical, civil)
• Healthcare professionals (nurses, certain specialists)
• Construction and technical trades (electricians, plumbers, welders, heavy equipment operators)
• Finance and accounting professionals
• Truck drivers and logistics experts
• Specialised sales roles and security guards
• Administrative and management positions in technical fields

Note: You can access the full, detailed list through Actiris’ official channels or the Brussels Capital Region’s labour department. However, they haven’t widely released the exact 2025 list to the public yet. Expect roles to reflect the above categories with minor annual adjustments.

Why It Matters to Foreign Professionals

If your job is included on that list, employers in Brussels don’t need to prove there are no local candidates available. That speeds up hiring, shortens paperwork, and boosts your case for getting a work permit.

Work Visa and Permit Options for Belgium

Brussels’ shortage list is only part of the story. Here’s how you can legally work in Belgium if you’re a non-EU national:

1. The Single Permit

Most foreign workers need what’s called a “Single Permit.” This combines a residence and work authorisation into one document, valid for stays longer than 90 days. Employers typically handle the application.

• If your profession is on the shortage list, labour market testing is waived.
• You still need to meet Belgian salary thresholds and conditions.

2. Work Permits (Types A, B, and C)

• Type A Permit: For long-term residents with several years of Type B permits; valid indefinitely.
• Type B Permit: The most common, tied to a single employer and usually valid for one year. The employer must prove that no Belgian/EU resident is available, except for shortage list jobs, which skip this requirement.
• Type C Permit: For temporary residents or those with uncertain status (e.g., asylum seekers), usually valid for short-term work.

3. EU Blue Card

For highly-qualified professionals with a job offer in Belgium above a set salary threshold, the EU Blue Card grants more flexible work and residence rights across many EU countries.

4. Working Holiday Scheme

Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, and Canada between 18 and 30 can apply for a one-year working holiday visa, combining travel and work experience in Belgium.

5. Exemptions

EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens are free to live and work in Belgium without permits. Several other nationalities enjoy streamlined entry processes or reciprocal arrangements.

Next Steps: How to Move Forward

1. Check with Actiris or your employer whether your specific profession is one of the 81.
2. Confirm your salary level meets the Belgian threshold or Blue Card requirement.
3. If your job is not on the list but still in demand, engineers, IT specialists, nurses, tech professionals, explore a standard Single Permit or EU Blue Card route; these often require labour market testing unless otherwise exempted.

Why the lack of public transparency matters

There’s no public, complete listing of the 81 jobs. That leaves people guessing whether their role still qualifies, especially after removals. The only clear guidance is that the list exists for one year, and that no transition rules for pending applications have been announced.

To wrap up

• Brussels’ shortage list was revised in July 2025, now with 81 professions.
• Sales and personal-service roles were cut; IT roles added.
• The full list isn’t publicly available; Actiris is the only source.
• If your job is listed, you skip labour market testing. If not, you’ll need to rely on standard work-permit options like Single Permit or Blue Card.
• Salary thresholds remain key. For high-skilled roles, even outside the list, you may still qualify under EU Blue Card rules.

Final Thoughts

Brussels’ updated shortage occupation list is essential for skilled workers seeking jobs in the city. It highlights in-demand roles, reduces hiring barriers, and offers clear opportunities, especially in fast-growing sectors like IT and security.

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