EU Blue Card or the highly-skilled single permit — which should I use?

Belgium offers two strong routes for qualified professionals, and many people meet the conditions for both. The EU Blue Card is recognised across the EU and offers a clearer path to long-term residence and intra-EU mobility, but its salary threshold differs by region. The highly-skilled single permit is a faster track within the national single-permit system for graduates and specialists who hold a degree, have a contract of at least a year, and meet the regional highly-skilled threshold (which can be reduced for applicants under 30 and for nurses in Flanders). The right choice usually comes down to your salary, contract length and whether EU-wide recognition matters to you. We help you run both numbers for your specific region.