Hiring & Workforce Grants in Belgium
Belgium offers extensive hiring and workforce subsidies to help businesses recruit, train, and retain employees. From activation programs to wage cost reductions, grants from VDAB, Actiris, and FOREM can significantly lower your employment costs.
What hiring grants are available?
Below are the current hiring and employment grants available to Belgian businesses. These grants are updated in real time from official sources.
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Who is eligible for hiring grants?
Hiring grants in Belgium are generally open to employers of all sizes. Key eligibility criteria include:
- Registered employer in Belgium (KBO/BCE number and ONSS/RSZ registration)
- Hiring candidates from specific target groups (young workers, long-term unemployed, 55+, people with disabilities)
- Commitment to providing quality employment (minimum contract duration, decent working conditions)
- Up to date with tax and social security contributions
- Some programs require registration with the regional employment agency (VDAB, Actiris, or FOREM)
How much funding can you get?
Hiring subsidies in Belgium vary by program, target group, and region:
- Structural reduction of employer social contributions: up to €1,500/quarter for first employees
- Target group reductions: €1,000–€3,400/quarter depending on the profile hired
- Activation allowances (Activa): part of the employee's salary is paid by the unemployment agency for 6–24 months
- Training premiums: €1,000–€5,000 per trainee for on-the-job training programs
- First hire bonus: significant social contribution reductions for your first 6 employees
How to apply for hiring grants
The application process depends on the specific program, but typically follows these steps:
- Identify the right program — use the list above or ask Lucas, our AI assistant
- Register the vacancy with the regional employment agency (VDAB, Actiris, or FOREM)
- Verify the candidate's eligibility (target group attestation, work permit if applicable)
- Apply for the reduction via your social secretariat or directly through the online portal
- Maintain compliance records — audits may verify employment conditions and contract terms
Hiring grants by region
Each Belgian region has its own employment agency and hiring incentive programs:
🔵 Brussels (Actiris)
Actiris manages employment activation in the Brussels-Capital Region. Key programs include Activa Brussels for hiring long-term unemployed, the First Hiring Bonus, language training premiums, and sector-specific employment programs for hospitality and construction.
View details →🟡 Flanders (VDAB)
VDAB is Flanders' public employment service. Major programs include target group reductions for young workers under 25 and workers 55+, the Flemish support premium (VOP) for employees with disabilities, and IBO (Individual Vocational Training) wage subsidies.
View details →🔴 Wallonia (FOREM)
FOREM coordinates employment services in Wallonia. Programs include the Sesam plan for hiring in SMEs, APE subsidies for the non-profit sector, PFI (Plan Formation-Insertion) training-to-employment programs, and Impulsion subsidies for target groups.
View details →Frequently asked questions
Can I get grants for hiring my first employee?â–¼
Yes. Belgium offers significant reductions for first hires. Your first employee enjoys a near-complete exemption from basic employer social contributions. Employees 2 through 6 also benefit from reduced contributions for up to 13 quarters.
Are hiring grants available for temporary contracts?â–¼
Most hiring grants require a minimum contract duration, typically 6 months for activation programs. Some target group reductions apply regardless of contract type, but fixed-term contracts under 3 months generally don't qualify for the larger subsidies.
How long does approval take for hiring subsidies?â–¼
Target group reductions are often automatic when processed through your social secretariat — they apply from the first payroll cycle. Activation programs (Activa, IBO) typically take 2–4 weeks from application to approval. The VDAB's VOP requires a separate evaluation.
Can I combine multiple hiring incentives?â–¼
Partially. You can combine structural reductions with one target group reduction per employee. However, you cannot stack multiple target group reductions. Activation allowances can generally be combined with structural reductions but not with target group reductions.