Since 1 July 2015, Croatian nationals no longer need work permits

Since 1 July 2015, Croatian nationals have free access to the Belgian labour market and no longer need a work permit to be able to work in Belgium.

On 1 July 2013, the Republic of Croatia joined the European Union. Though through Croatia’s accession to the EU the principle of free movement of workers was applicable to its nationals, other EU Member States had the possibility to provide for transitional measures for a certain duration. Belgium among others made use of this possibility and, as a result, Croatian nationals have not been able to work in Belgium without a work permit. Thus, unless they fell within the scope of another exemption, a work permit had to be sought for them.

These transitional provisions came to an end on 30 June 2015 and from 1 July EU law on the free movement of workers has unlimited application. This means that Croatian employees now have free access to the Belgian labour market and no longer require a work permit.

Currently Croatian nationals do not have free access to the labour market in the following European countries: the Netherlands, the UK, Austria, Malta and Slovenia. In these countries transitional measures will still apply for another three years.

> Action point
Croatian employees are no longer required to have a work permit to work in Belgium.