The consulting agency "Deloitte Belgium" conducted a two-yearly comparative study, in which the migration formalities for foreign "knowledge workers" are compared with the five before mentioned Member States.

As was the case in previous comparative studies in 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2008, Belgium again scored best: it is still easier in Belgium than in other countries to find employment as a non-European.

The comparison of the various markets shows that the Belgian migration process is the fastest of them all; in Belgium, work permits are issued on average within 3 weeks. In Spain or Italy, the process of obtaining a work permit can take up to 6 months. That being said, there are still some regional differences in Belgium. For example, obtaining a work permit for a well-educated foreign worker is appreciably faster in Flanders than it is in Brussels or Wallonia.

The study also shows that Belgium, compared with other countries, continues to apply a very low earnings threshold for obtaining a work permit. This level for 2011 is a taxable annual salary of 36,604 EUR.

A new law that recently came into effect makes it easier for foreigners to come to Belgium for “business meetings”. Erwin Vandervelde, partner at Deloitte Belgium, points out that “the more flexible migration laws are also helping to open the doors more for illicit knowledge migration. In particular, Chinese and Russian consultants are able to obtain a Belgian resident’s permit easily by getting a work permit, without actually having to do any business in Belgium.”

More in formation and download at this site or at the website of Deloitte Belgium