The draft bill was approved by the Council of Ministers on 13 May 2026, on the proposal of Minister for Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt, and was subsequently submitted to the Council of State for an opinion. It was then examined by the Chamber of Representatives’ Committee on the Interior, which adopted the articles at first reading on 2 October. Following further examination and amendments, the committee approved the bill in second reading on 14 October. The proposal partly transposes Directive (EU) 2021/1883 on the European Blue Card and amends the Law of 15 December 1980.

The bill introduces changes to the European Blue Card scheme, including a maximum 90-day processing period and measures to facilitate mobility within the EU. The existing requirements relating to salary, qualifications and working time remain in place. It also broadens the grounds for refusing applications under the single permit framework, including cases involving serious doubts about the authenticity of documents or companies established primarily to facilitate entry into Belgium rather than to employ workers. In addition, certain workers who are victims of serious social offences committed by their employers, such as systematic non-payment of wages, may, subject to conditions, have up to six months to find new employment before their right of residence for employment ends. 

Minister Van Bossuyt presented the reform as a way to reconcile Belgium’s need to attract international talent with stronger action against fraud and exploitation. She argued that employers should be able to recruit highly qualified workers without unnecessary administrative obstacles, while maintaining the applicable eligibility requirements. She also stressed that the measures to combat abuse are intended to target fraudulent arrangements and dishonest employers, rather than workers who are themselves victims of exploitation. 

For further details, please read the press release from Anneleen Van Bossuyt (in Dutch).