Temporary protection for Ukrainian nationals and the possibility of working in Belgium
Since 4 March 2022, the European Union has granted temporary protection to Ukrainian nationals who resided in Ukraine before 24 February 2022. The period for which temporary protection is granted is renewed annually and was extended in July 2025 to 4 March 2027.
Third-country nationals residing in Belgium under temporary protection can work for employers in Belgium without a work permit. This is advantageous for employers: they do not need to apply for a single permit before hiring an employee with temporary protection. However, if these employees plan to settle permanently in Belgium, it may be worthwhile for employers to apply for a single permit for them.
Indeed, when the temporary protection scheme ends, these employees will be expected to return to their country, or the employer will have to apply for a single permit at that time. By applying for a single permit, the employee's status changes from temporary protected to migrant worker.
The advantage of migrant worker status is that the years worked in Belgium under this status count towards obtaining a permanent residence permit in Belgium. With a permanent residence permit, one is exempted from a work permit/single permit. A permanent residence permit also creates the possibility of applying for Belgian nationality.
Switching to migrant worker status entails no risks for the employee. If the conditions for migrant worker status are no longer met, for example, due to unemployment, the Ukrainian citizen can again invoke the temporary protection status they previously held (as long as that protection remains applicable).
Pro-Pay is at your disposal for all your immigration questions related to the employment of foreign workers and can handle the single permit applications for your company. For more info, you can contact legal@Pro-Pay.be
