The Brussels-Capital Region updated its bottleneck occupation list effective 1 July 2026, introducing changes to the occupations that may benefit from simplified work authorisation procedures and highlighting continued shortages in technical, industrial, ICT, and healthcare professions.
This development affects workforce mobility, international recruitment strategies, and immigration compliance obligations for employers operating in Belgium.1
The revised Brussels bottleneck occupation list may provide additional opportunities for employers experiencing difficulties in filling qualifying positions locally. Employers might consider assessing whether their recruitment needs could be addressed through non-EU talent and the applicable economic migration routes.
An early review may help employers identify relevant requirements and plan for potential work-authorization timelines.
Bottleneck occupation list overview
On 1 July 2026, the Brussels-Capital Region published an updated list of bottleneck occupations applicable in Brussels. Occupations included on the list may benefit from a simplified work authorisation process when employers recruit non-EU nationals for qualifying positions. The list is therefore an important component of the Brussels economic migration framework and may create additional opportunities for employers facing recruitment challenges.
The list identifies professions for which employer demand significantly exceeds the number of qualified jobseekers and may support economic migration applications for foreign workers qualified for shortage roles.
The updated list reflects a stronger focus on technical, industrial, and healthcare professions.
The updated list highlights several notable labour market trends in the Brussels-Capital Region:
The revised Brussels bottleneck occupation list may affect how employers evaluate vacancies and plan work-authorization applications for prospective non-EU hires.
Brussels-Capital Region:
Regional differences
Belgium’s Regions apply separate bottleneck occupation lists and economic migration frameworks. A role that qualifies for facilitated procedures in Brussels may therefore not qualify under the same conditions in Flanders or Wallonia.
Timely reviews of recruitment needs and mobility plans can help employers maintain compliance and limit disruption to business operations.
If assignees and/or their programme managers have questions about the scope of this update, its application, potential impact or appropriate next steps, they should consult their qualified professional or a member of the GMS team with KPMG in Belgium (see the Contacts section).
1 Brussels Regional government on Economy and Employment, “New list of professions with labour Shortage,” published on 3 July 2026.
* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Finland.
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