Negotiations on the proposal for the seasonal workers directive are expected to be finalised soon. Background information and state of play can be found here.

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.

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.

Following the vote in the European Parliament on 5 February 2014, today the Council formally adopted a new Directive on third-country national seasonal workers. Member states will need to transpose the directive within two and a half years after publication in the Official Journal.