Trainees

Trainees (stagiaires) are people who undertake a traineeship with an employer as a continuation of a previous course of study.

Limosa declaration

Trainees who do all or part of their traineeship in Belgium must declare these activities in advance. This declaration, called 'Limosa', is mandatory and can be done online: https://www.socialsecurity.be/foreign/en/employer_limosa/home.html

There are some exceptions to this rule. Are exempted:

• trainee-students following an obligatory traineeship as part of their studies or vocational training
• self-employed trainees with a legal residence permit following a traineeship in the framework of their studies
• trainee-students following a traineeship in the context of an exchange program approved by their competent authorities

EU-nationals

The EU trainees don't need a trainee work permit.

Non-EU nationals

Non-EU trainees hired by an international organisation established in Belgium are not required to obtain a trainee work permit (permis de stage). The traineeship must be full-time and last no longer than one year.

Other non-EU trainees wishing to go on a training course lasting up to one year in Belgium must be in possession of a trainee work permit (permis de stage) before entering the country. The employer must submit an application for a trainee work permit with the competent authorities (see under salaried employees for useful addresses for obtaining a work permit). Trainees must be aged between 18 and 30 years.

The following documents must be submitted with the application:

• a copy of the application form for the employment of a trainee (with signature and fiscal stamps attached);
• a medical certificate supplied by a doctor recognised by the Belgian embassy abroad, with the doctor’s signature legally authenticated by the embassy;
• a certified photocopy of the diploma and a translation by a sworn translator into French or Dutch (if necessary);
• a curriculum vitae;
• a photocopy of the passport;
• a trainee contract signed by both parties mentioning the number of hours of training and the remuneration (benefits in kind must be clearly stipulated);
• a detailed trainee schedule;
• a declaration by the trainee stating that he/she will not take up any other employment in Belgium and will leave the country at the end of the traineeship (maximum 12 months).

Once the trainee permit has been delivered, the applicant has to apply at a Belgian embassy or consulate in his or her home country for an authorisation of temporary residence (autorisation de séjour provisoire : ASP), type D, long stay. On arrival in Belgium, the trainee is required to register within eight days at the Foreigners Desk of the municipality where he or she intends to stay.