Publication date: 30 March 2011
In the context of the comprehensive US immigration reform, improved controls and dealing with unauthorized foreigners were discussed extensively in the US Senate in 2006 and 2007. But what about the future flows?
Read more
Main theme: Economic migration
Publication Type: Study
Keywords: Immigration reform, labour shortages, Migration Advisory Commitee
Publication date: 28 March 2011
The study, commissioned from IOM by the Bureau of European Policy Advisors (BEPA) provides an inventory of the admission and residence procedures for unskilled and low-skilled third-country workers entering the labour markets of the 27 EU Member States.
Read more
Main theme: Economic migration
Publication Type: Report
Keywords: BEPA, low-skilled workers, unskilled workers
Publication date: 25 January 2011
In the recent past some important changes ocurred within the agricultural sector in Flanders and Belgium. This research paper focuses on the consequences of these changes for the employment of migrants in the agricultural sector.
Read more
Publication date: 28 December 2010
What is the Belgian approach and policy regarding economic migration? This study addresses this question and examines the labour migration in Belgium from the point of view of combating labour shortages and/or labour demands.
Read more
Main theme: Economic migration
Publication Type: Thematic Studies
Keywords: highly skilled, labour policy, labour shortages, low skilled, mobility, work permit
Publication date: 01 December 2006
What is the Belgian approach towards highly skilled workers from third countries? This study examines in detail the selection criteria, admission requirements, procedures for issuing work permits and the available data on the subject.
Read more
Main theme: Economic migration
Publication Type: Thematic Studies
Keywords: highly skilled, labour demand, labour migration, work permit
Publication date: 30 June 2006
This study examines the migration of students and professionals in the health sector in Belgium. It addresses various issues relating to qualifications and attractiveness of the education system and limitations to the migration of health professionals from third countries.
Read more
Main theme: Economic migration
Publication Type: Thematic Studies
Keywords: education, employment, labour shortages
Publication date:
The Belgian Council of Ministers has approved a draft bill aimed at strengthening rules on labour migration and improving the framework for highly qualified non-EU workers. The proposal includes measures aimed at strengthening the fight against fraud linked to labour migration, while also seeking to make the European Blue Card more attractive for highly qualified workers from outside the European Union. The draft bill also provides for additional protection for workers who are victims of certain social law infringements committed by employers. The text will now be submitted to the Council of State for advice.
Read more
Main theme: Economic migration
Keywords: labour migration, highly skilled workers, EU blue card, single permit, fraud, infringement, exploitation
EU Parliament backs EU Talent Pool to facilitate international recruitment for in-demand occupations
Publication date:
The European Parliament has endorsed the creation of an EU Talent Pool, a digital platform designed to match job vacancies in participating Member States with job seekers from third countries. The initiative aims to support recruitment in sectors facing labour shortages while remaining subject to national immigration procedures and voluntary participation by Member States. While supporters highlight its potential to strengthen legal pathways for labour migration, trade unions have raised concerns about worker protection and safeguards. The proposal still requires formal adoption by the Council before entering into force.
Read more
Main theme: Economic migration
Keywords: EU Talent Pool, adoption, European Parliament
Publication date:
Flanders granted around 21.460 work permits to non-EU nationals in 2025, the highest level in recent years. Seasonal work and medium- to high-skilled positions accounted for a large share of the permits. New rules introduced in January 2026 give priority to domestic and EU labour before non-EU recruitment. Stakeholders, including employer organisations and political parties, have expressed differing perspectives on these developments.
Read more
Main theme: Data & Statistics, Economic migration
Keywords: Flanders, work permit, single permit, third-country nationals, seasonal work, shortage occupation
Publication date:
The documents set out key elements of the European Commission’s approach to managing international mobility to the EU. The EU Visa Strategy aims to strengthen the Union’s security and integrity through enhanced visa procedures, modernise the processing and management of visas, and support the EU’s economy and competitiveness by facilitating legitimate travel. Complementing this, the Recommendation on Attracting Talent for Innovation provides guidance to Member States on attracting, admitting, and retaining international students, researchers, highly skilled workers, and innovative entrepreneurs.
Read more
Main theme: Economic migration, Study § Training, Borders & Visa
Keywords: visa policy, visa strategy, talent attraction, talent retention
Publication date:
Fragomen will host a webinar on recent changes to Belgium’s immigration policies. The session will cover two main areas: first, new rules in the Flanders Region concerning economic migration, including labour migration pathways, contractual liability, and labour market testing; and second, nationwide modifications affecting family reunification, such as stricter financial criteria for visa applications. The webinar will also highlight practical implications for businesses employing foreign nationals.
Read more
Publication date:
On 18 November, the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament reached an agreement on the creation of a platform designed to facilitate the recruitment of non-European workers. The “EU Talent Pool” will connect employers established in the EU with non-EU jobseekers in sectors where Member States face labour shortages. Participation in the Talent Pool will be voluntary for Member States, and the platform will remain free of charge for both jobseekers and employers.
Read more
Main theme: Economic migration
Keywords: EU Talent Pool, foreign workers, labour shortages, competitiveness
Publication date:
The EMN Slovakia Conference will focus on how Slovakia can develop effective international partnerships to address labour shortages through fair and sustainable migration. The event will bring together policymakers, experts, employers, and migrant organisations from both EU and non-EU countries to share good practices in managing bilateral labour mobility. Key themes include protecting migrant workers, improving coordination, and ensuring that labour migration benefits all parties involved.
Read more
Publication date:
The EMN Cyprus National Conference aims to foster dialogue among policymakers, experts, employers, trade unions, and civil society to discuss how sustainable and effective migration policies can support labour market resilience. The event will serve as a platform to exchange experiences, showcase good practices, and develop practical guidance for national and EU-level policymakers.
Read more
Main theme: Economic migration
Keywords: labour migration, economic growth, labour market need, skills shortage, foreign workers
Publication date:
The EMN Lithuania Conference will explore how labour migration and integration policies can be better aligned to address Europe’s evolving workforce needs. Bringing together policymakers, experts, and practitioners, the event will examine ways to build coherent and sustainable labour migration systems. Discussions will focus on fair treatment, inclusion, and long-term outcomes for migrants. The conference will highlight the importance of linking policy design with practical integration measures across the EU.
Read more
Main theme: Integration, Economic migration
Keywords: labour migration policy, integration policy, labour market need, inclusion, policy coherence
Publication date:
The Flemish government has decided that third-country workers – from outside the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland – will follow a mandatory tailored integration trajectory from 2027. The initiative, proposed by Minister Hilde Crevits, will be delivered digitally and can be started in the country of origin or within six months of arrival in Flanders. The programme provides essential information on work, rights and responsibilities, and Flemish norms and values. Certain temporary or seasonal workers, students, and holiday-work participants are excluded.
Read more
Main theme: Integration, Economic migration
Keywords: migrant worker, self-employed, integration programme, digital learning
Publication date:
Myria, the Federal Migration Centre, has published a thematic report on economic migration, free movement and students as part of its annual report "Migration in figures and rights 2025". The publication explains trends in labour migration and study-related mobility. It shows that labour migration from outside the EU has slightly decreased, the share of third-country nationals among temporary postings has continued to grow, and student numbers are increasing.
Read more
Main theme: Economic migration, Study § Training
Keywords: Myria, annual report, labour migration, student migration, temporary posting
Publication date:
This conference aims to facilitate discussion among authorities and experts on labour migration and the response to labour market needs through sustainable and effective migration policies on a national and EU level. Selected institutions and experts will address the labour market trends and workforce needs in Cyprus and the EU, the challenges and opportunities of legal migration pathways for Cyprus, and EU best practices.
Read more
Main theme: Economic migration
Keywords: labour migration, labour market need, workforce, legal migration pathway
Publication date:
On 3 December 2025 in Stockholm, the EMN Sweden Conference will gather stakeholders to discuss labour shortages and international talent attraction. The event will explore EU and national strategies to address these challenges and strengthen Europe’s competitiveness. Policymakers, experts and practitioners will exchange insights, good practices and new research findings.
Read more
Main theme: Economic migration
Keywords: talent attraction, labour shortages, competitiveness
Publication date:
Nearly one in eight self-employed workers in Belgium do not hold Belgian nationality. This proportion rises to more than four in ten in the Brussels-Capital Region. An analysis of recent data from the National Institute for Social Security of the Self-Employed (INASTI) by the social insurance fund Acerta highlights these figures. The study also reveals differences in age, sector activity, and income between Belgian and non-Belgian self-employed individuals.
Read more
Main theme: Integration, Data & Statistics, Economic migration
Keywords: self-employed, Belgian, non-Belgian
Publication date:
This conference will explore the role labour migration might play in addressing labour market shortages in the Netherlands and the broader European context, while considering both the benefits and the challenges it brings. Participants will look at case studies and delve into concrete examples from other EU Member States, and explore various approaches to managing labour migration. Policymakers and experts will engage in this dialogue to examine the diverse policy choices that might shape the future of labour migration policies.
Read more
Main theme: Economic migration
Keywords: labour migration, labour migration policy, labour shortage
Publication date:
The European Commission has developed a new interactive tool to map labour migration pathways across the 27 EU Member States. It helps to visualise the 290 pathways that were active at the time of the research and updated to February 2024.
Read more
Main theme: Economic migration
Keywords: labour migration, legal pathway, foreign job seeker
Publication date:
In a recent judgment, the Court of Justice of the European Union stated that a Member State cannot exclude from the benefit of family allowances a foreign worker whose children, born in a third country, cannot prove that they have entered its territory lawfully.
Read more
Main theme: Economic migration
Keywords: migrant worker, equal treatment, social security, family benefits, minor
Publication date:
This conference, organised jointly by EMN Estonia and IOM Estonia, focuses on labour shortages in the EU. It will offer insights into sustainable strategies to balance local labour demands while remaining competitive and attractive to migrant workers.
Read more
Main theme: Economic migration
Keywords: labour market, skills shortage, skilled workers, mobility partnership, local labour, competitiveness
Publication date:
Myria has published the fourth thematic section of its 2024 annual report. In this section, entitled « Economic migration, free movement and students » Myria notes that more third-country nationals were posted to Belgium in 2023 than in 2022. Posted workers from third countries are more vulnerable to exploitation than EU-based posted workers. Therefore, they urgently need increased legal protection, according to Myria.
