Belgium Raises Visa D Fee to €250, Flanders Adds €180 Permit Charge

Remote workers eyeing Belgium face higher upfront costs after two fee changes this year. The federal long-stay Visa D handling fee has risen to €250, and the Flemish region will introduce a new €180 charge on Single Permit applications starting September 1.

What changed

Belgium's Visa D handling fee, which applies to stays longer than 90 days, increased from €180 to €250 on July 1 — a jump of €70, or roughly 39%. The federal fee covers all Visa D categories, including work, study and family reunification. According to the source, the higher charge applies to any application submitted on or after July 1, even where the appointment was booked before the increase. Short-stay Schengen visas are not affected.

Separately, Flanders will charge a €180 regional retribution fee for Single Permit applications filed from September 1. This levy applies to both first applications and renewals for non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals. Work-permit-only applications are exempt. Employers pay the regional fee in most cases, though workers themselves cover it for permits of unlimited duration. Payment runs through the Working in Belgium portal, and an unpaid application is closed after 15 days without processing. The amount will be indexed each January 1.

What it means for nomads

Belgium does not offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. Instead, remote workers typically use a Single Permit for local employment or a professional card for self-employment. That makes these two fee changes directly relevant to anyone planning a longer stay tied to work.

The new Flanders charge sits on top of an existing €152 federal administrative fee. For a worker applying from abroad for a Flanders Single Permit, the source reports that stated government charges could now total €582 once the Visa D fee is added — before municipal or residence card costs. That compares with a previous fee stack of €332, an increase of about 75%.

Practical takeaways

If you are budgeting for a move to Belgium, factor in the higher Visa D fee immediately and the additional Flanders charge for applications from September 1. Note that the regional fee is often the employer's responsibility, but the burden shifts to the worker for unlimited-duration permits, so clarify who pays before filing. Because the Flemish levy will be indexed annually, expect the figure to edge upward over time. Applicants outside Flanders should check whether their region applies separate charges, as these amounts are specific to the Flemish system.

Originally reported by Stamped Nomad.