Is a €5,000 Salary Now Mandatory to Bring Your Family to Belgium?

You might want to check your payslip if you’ve been dreaming of bringing your family to Belgium under the fast-track visa system. As of April 2025, Belgium has raised the bar—literally. A shiny new rule now requires a gross monthly income of at least €5,000 to qualify for the expedited family reunification process. That’s right, Belgium isn’t just checking your passport anymore—they’re also checking your paycheck.

So what does this mean for foreign professionals hoping to unite with their loved ones in this charming, waffle-loving nation? Let’s break it down, from who’s affected to your options, and whether Belgium is still worth the family-sized move.

What Is the Fast-Track Family Visa in Belgium?

Let’s start with the basics. The fast-track family reunification visa was introduced to help skilled foreign workers bring their families to Belgium without drowning in paperwork or waiting an eternity. Unlike the standard process, which can take a glacial nine months to crawl through the system, the fast-track option is a much zippier 15-day deal. The goal? Make life easier for professionals who are already working legally in the country and just want their family by their side, without having to wait until their kids are applying to college.

This visa route is especially useful for people who hold work permits or long-term residence status in Belgium. It lets you skip the longer administrative dance that typically comes with reunification applications. Instead, you get a streamlined process, as long as you meet certain criteria (and no, just being charming doesn’t count).

But here’s the kicker: up until now, there was no strict salary requirement. You had to show you could support your family, sure, but the rules didn’t spell out an exact number. That’s what changed in April 2025.

What’s the New Salary Requirement in 2025?

Say hello to the new threshold: €5,000 gross monthly income. That’s the magic number now required to bring your family over via the fast-track route. Belgium officially put this rule into effect in April 2025, and it’s not just a suggested guideline—it’s a firm condition. If your paycheck doesn’t hit that mark, the express lane to family reunification is closed for business.

This policy shift is significant because it replaces the previous, more flexible assessment of financial means with a fixed benchmark. It’s clean, clear, and, depending on your industry and experience level, possibly a bit daunting. For those earning below that figure, the only other option is the standard reunification process, which, as we mentioned, can take up to nine months and comes with its bureaucratic hurdles.

On paper, this change is about ensuring families relocating to Belgium can be financially self-sufficient from day one. In practice, it may feel like the government is asking, “Can you afford brunch in Brussels every weekend?” before letting your spouse and kids in.

Also Read: Which Countries Are Offering Citizenship by Investment in 2025?

Who Needs to Meet the €5,000 Threshold?

So, who exactly is being handed this €5,000 challenge? In short: foreign workers applying through the fast-track family reunification route—but not all of them.

The new rule applies specifically to sponsored workers and other non-exempt foreign professionals who are hoping to fast-track the process. If you’re working in Belgium on a standard employment permit and don’t have a special status (like EU Blue Card), then this salary requirement now applies to you.

This means that mid-level professionals—say, a junior software developer, an experienced nurse, or a skilled technician—might find themselves in a tight spot. Their roles are often critical, but their salaries might hover below the €5,000 mark, making them ineligible for the fast-track reunification even though they’re gainfully employed.

It’s not about job importance—it’s about income, plain and simple. And that distinction could have real consequences for the diversity and inclusivity of Belgium’s foreign workforce.

Are There Any Exemptions to the Rule?

Thankfully, Belgium didn’t just drop this policy bomb without a few escape routes. Several key groups are exempt from the €5,000 requirement, meaning they can still bring their families over quickly without having to hit that high-income bar.

The exempt elite includes:

• EU Blue Card holders (Belgium’s VIP pass for skilled professionals across the EU),
• Intra-corporate transferees (aka expats sent over by their companies),
• Researchers with valid hosting agreements (think university-affiliated or research institute staff),
  And self-employed professionals holding an official Belgian professional card.
  

If you fall into one of these categories, you’re in luck—the salary requirement won’t slow you down. But if you’re not, then it’s time to start doing the math or exploring alternative routes. And if you’re an employer? Time to rethink those salary packages or risk losing out on top international talent.

How Long Does the Fast-Track Process Take?

Let’s get into the numbers that matter: time saved. The fast-track process boasts a turnaround time of 15 calendar days—a near miracle compared to the standard reunification route, which can stretch up to nine months (that’s three seasons and at least four Netflix subscription renewals).

For families eager to reunite quickly, this shorter wait time is a major perk. It’s especially appealing to new hires relocating from abroad who don’t want to spend months living apart from their spouse or children while battling the Belgian bureaucracy. The fast-track option was designed with these professionals in mind—those whose skills are needed yesterday, not next year.

But here’s the kicker: if you don’t meet that €5,000 income threshold and you’re not in one of the exempt categories, the 15-day dream vanishes and you’re back to playing the long game.

What Are the Implications for Foreign Workers?

This is where things get real. For many foreign professionals, especially those in mid-level or public sector roles, €5,000 gross per month is a steep hill to climb. We’re not talking about top executives here—these are engineers, nurses, IT support specialists, educators, and skilled laborers who are vital to Belgium’s infrastructure.

The risk is clear: some highly competent professionals may start thinking twice about relocating to Belgium if they know their families can’t join them without delays or financial hurdles. It’s not exactly a selling point when you’re trying to recruit globally.

What’s more, the rule could unintentionally disadvantage younger workers, newcomers, or those coming from lower-wage economies. Just because someone doesn’t earn €5,000 today doesn’t mean they won’t tomorrow. But under the current system, there’s no room for that kind of potential growth—they either meet the number now, or they wait.

What Should Employers and Applicants Do Next?

So, what now? If you’re an employer in Belgium looking to bring in international talent, it’s time to adjust your recruitment strategy. That might mean offering higher salaries (gulp), lobbying for more inclusive policies, or proactively helping new hires understand the visa landscape.

If you’re a foreign applicant, this is your cue to get serious about planning. Review your gross salary—not just net—and calculate whether you qualify under the new requirement. If you fall short, consider applying under a different visa category (like the EU Blue Card) or prepare for the longer reunification route.

In both cases, early financial and legal planning is your best friend. Don’t wait until you’ve landed the job or booked the flight. Knowing the rules now can save you serious time and stress later.

Is Belgium Still a Family-Friendly Destination for Skilled Immigrants?

Let’s not beat around the bush—this new rule is a curveball. But does it mean Belgium has turned its back on skilled immigrants and their families? Not necessarily.

The fast-track reunification system still exists. It’s faster, clearer, and—for those who qualify—still very much worth pursuing. But there’s no denying that the €5,000 salary requirement raises the bar, and not everyone can clear it. Whether that’s good policy or a gatekeeping headache depends on your perspective (and your paycheck).

On the plus side, Belgium still offers strong social benefits, excellent education, quality healthcare, and a central European location that’s hard to beat. For those who do make the cut—or find their way through alternative pathways—it remains an attractive destination for building a life, a career, and yes, a family.

So, is Belgium still family-friendly? Absolutely. Just maybe not as budget-friendly as it used to be.

Conclusion

In 2025, Belgium made one thing clear: if you want to skip the family reunification queue, you’d better bring more than just good intentions—you’ll need a €5,000/month paycheck to match. While the new rule might complicate life for some skilled workers, it also highlights the evolving landscape of global mobility.

If you’re aiming to move with your loved ones, consider your options, know your exemptions, and—most importantly—know your numbers. Because in Belgium’s new immigration game, it’s not just who you are that matters. It’s also what’s on your payslip.