All about the working holiday in Belgium!
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005 (medical expenses, hospitalization, repatriation…).
Between 18 and 30 years old
A valid passport for the entire duration of your working holiday
At least €2,500 or equivalent in another currency
This must be your first participation
Must have comprehensive health insurance
Apply before the annual quota is reached
01. What is the Working Holiday Visa?
WHVs are bilateral accords signed between governments to promote youth mobility and cultural exchange. Participating countries allow young adults to spend a set period of time (usually one year) living and working abroad. Most of the accords are signed between countries in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and East Asia. A WHV encourages cultural exchange alongside the chance to gain valuable work experience, though participants are not obligated to work.
02. Which nationalities are eligible?
Young adults from the following countries can apply for the WHV to Belgium:
Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan.
03. What is the application fee?
The general visa application fee is €229 (source). You may also have to pay additional consular fees.
04. What documents are required for the application?
The exact list of documents may vary by nationality, but the standard items include:
- Completed application form
- Motivation letter
- Passport
- ID photos
- Sufficient savings
- Adequate health insurance
- Medical certificate
- Police check
05. How long is the visa good for?
The WHV allows holders to stay up to one year in Belgium.
06. When do I have to enter the country by?
You should arrive in Belgium within 3 months from the date your visa was issued.
07. Do I need to buy health insurance?
Yes. You must have insurance that covers the cost of healthcare in Belgium. We recommend choosing one that covers at least medical, hospitalisation, and repatriation. Those are standard requirements for working holidays in most countries.
08. Can I work in Belgium?
Yes, the WHV gives you open work authorisation. However, the primary motive for your stay should not be for work purposes. Work is meant to finance your extended holiday in Belgium.
09. Can I leave and re-enter at any time?
Yes, you will be issued a multiple-entry visa.
10. Are there any other requirements I should be aware of?
But within 8 days after your initial entry into Belgium, head to the commune or gemeente (respectively French and Dutch for city hall/local administration) in order to get registered. Once your registration is complete, you should receive a type-A residence card, which will allow you to travel in the Schengen area
11. What is pvtistes.net and how can it help me?
We are a team of current and former working holiday makers dedicated to providing free information and resources about the working holiday in Belgium and other destinations. Read our helpful articles, leave comments if you have questions, and check out our special deals.
We don't ask for any money, and neither should anyone else in your application process (besides the embassy/consulate and their official partners). Be very careful of online scams where someone might ask you for an exorbitant amount to help you get your visa. Working Holiday Visas are designed to be relatively easy to obtain yourself, so there is absolutely no need to pay any professional service to do it on your behalf.
12. Where can I apply?
For Canadians: application instructions are detailed here.
For all other applications:
- First visit Belgium's official WHV page to read the official program overview.
- When you're ready, start your application on the VisaOnWeb platform.
- In parallel, also contact the Belgian consulate or embassy of your jurisdiction to ask for application instructions, as it differs by country. Find a consulate/embassy here.
As mentioned earlier, all working holiday makers must buy private health insurance for the duration of their WHV.
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005. They have covered thousands of working holiday makers over the years.
- Chapter 5: Getting WHV health insurance
- Everything You Need to Know About Insurance for Working Holiday and Other Adventures Abroad
- What to have in your Working Holiday adventure first-aid kit
Belgium’s currency is the euro (€). There are two main ways to open a foreign-currency account: via 1) a traditional bank or 2) an online neo-bank. Traditional banks usually require you to already be in the country. You would have to make and attend an appointment where a representative would ask you for some documents.
If you want to have a euro debit card in hand before even arriving in Belgium, you may want to consider the second option, an online neo-bank like Wise. It is an app that offers multi-currency financial services. Customers receive a physical debit card that can be used to withdraw cash at local ATMs. Your euro account would also have its own routing and account numbers, so you can set up autopay, direct deposits, or transfer money to recipients in Belgium. These capabilities could be useful in exchanges with your employer or landlord. You can register from your home country or once you arrive in Belgium. Learn more about Wise.
There are advantages to both options. Wise registration is simple and quick, but traditional banks offer the possibility of issuing and depositing cheques, if that is something you need. So you could make a Wise account first and then a traditional account once you arrive in Belgium.
Once your application is approved, you’ll need to think about where to live, especially in the first few days and weeks. If you are planning on renting long term housing, we recommend you wait until you arrive in Belgium before paying a deposit or signing anything. Never send money to anyone without seeing the place in person.
For your first couple of weeks, you could consider Airbnb or hotels. But the most affordable option is going to be youth hostels. You can find some great ones on Hostelworld.
- Chapter 6: Booking housing for your arrival
- 7 Tips for finding housing during your working holiday abroad
- Couchsurfing Abroad
After you get your visa, you will have plenty of things to take care of. Some of them are more urgent than others, so this list breaks down your to-dos, starting with the most urgent to the least. It may seem like a lot, but don’t worry, one step at a time!
As you prepare for your working holiday in Belgium, check out our library of free articles and guides. Everyone on the pvtistes.net team has done (or is currently on) a working holiday, and so everything we write is from personal experience.
This is also the perfect chance to learn or brush up on Dutch or French! Babbel is partnering with pvtistes.net to offer 20% off on language courses (learn more). Also check out our some other deals for working holiday makers.
Applicants of all nationalities must be between 18 and 30 years old.
You must have a passport that is valid for the entire duration of your working holiday.
At least €2,500 or equivalent in another currency, to show that you can meet your needs for at least the first few months (source).
See our chapter on budgeting for an idea of how much more savings you should have for a working holiday.
This must be your first participation. If you have already been in Belgium on a WHV, then you cannot apply again.
You must have insurance that covers the cost of healthcare in Belgium. We recommend choosing one that covers at least medical, hospitalisation, and repatriation. Those are standard requirements for working holidays in most countries.
Apply before the annual quota is reached. Belgium sets an annual quota by nationality for the number of WHVs issued.
- Australia: no quota
- Canadians: 750
- New Zealand: no quota
- South Koreans: 200
- Taiwanese: 200
Quotas may change slightly year to year.