Complete guide

How to find software developers in Belgium

Belgium
February 22, 2023
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Belgium is a small country in Western Europe, bordered by the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, and France. It is known for its medieval towns, its delicious cuisine, and its unique blend of French and Dutch culture. Belgium is home to the headquarters of the European Union and the headquarters of NATO. It also boasts beautiful countryside, historic cities, and plenty of international festivals and events.

Why Belgium is a good place to find developers

Developer statistics in Belgium

• Belgium has a thriving tech talent pool of over 400,000 professionals, making it one of the leading countries for tech talent in Europe. • The Belgian tech sector employs more than 200,000 people and contributes more than €20 billion to the country’s economy. • Belgium is home to some of the top tech companies in Europe, including SAP, IBM, Oracle, and Microsoft. • The country is also ranked in the top five countries in Europe for computer science graduates, with over 10,000 graduates every year. • Belgium is home to a number of world-renowned tech events and conferences, including the FOSDEM, TNW Conference, and the EuroPython Conference. • Belgium is a major hub for tech startups, with over 800 startups based in the country and more than €1 billion invested in the sector in the last five years.

The tech ecosystem in Belgium

Belgium's tech ecosystem is rapidly growing, with a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, and blockchain technology. The country is home to many large multinational companies such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and IBM, as well as a host of innovative startups and scale-ups. Belgian universities are renowned for their strong focus on research and development in tech, and the country has numerous tech meetups, hackathons, and conferences throughout the year. Brussels is home to a number of co-working spaces and accelerators that are fostering innovation within the tech industry. Additionally, the Belgian government has made significant investments in the tech sector through its Digital Belgium initiative, providing grants and other financial incentives to innovators.

Best tech meetups in Belgium

Attending local meetups is a great way of getting introduced  to technical talent and getting a better feel for what software developers care about.
These are the best local meetups:

1. Devoxx Belgium
2. Belgian Mobile Meetup
3. Brussels Data Science Meetup
4. Brussels Machine Learning Meetup
5. Belgian Blockchain Technology Meetup
6. FOSDEM
7. Belgian Android User Group
8. GDG Brussels
9. Brussels JavaScript Meetup
10. Belgium Web & Mobile Meetup

Best methods to source and recruit talent in Belgium

There are many different ways to find and hire developers, some examples are:



1. Use Professional Recruitment Agencies: Professional recruitment agencies are a great way to source software development talent in Belgium. They have access to a large pool of qualified developers and can match the right candidate to the job quickly and efficiently.

2. Attend Job Fairs and Career Events: Job fairs and career events are a great way to meet potential software developers and tech talent in Belgium. Companies can use these events to showcase their brand, network with potential candidates and recruit top talent.

3. Leverage Social Media: Social media is one of the most effective ways to source software development talent in Belgium. Platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter can be used to create targeted campaigns that attract the right candidates.

4. Networking: Networking is an effective way to find software development talent in Belgium. Companies should leverage relationships with universities, industry groups and other companies in the country to build a strong network of potential candidates.

5. Use Professional Referrals: Professional referrals are a great way to source software development talent in Belgium. Companies can ask their current employees to refer potential candidates they may know. This is an effective way to quickly find qualified developers.

These are currently the best methods to find and hire developers:

Search LinkedIn, GitHub and Stack Overflow and reach out

The best way to find developer talent in Belgium is to find them in the places where they have an online profile and are active. Examples of those platforms are GitHub and Stack Overflow. LinkedIn can also be a valuable source.

Talent search engines can help you find developers online through a variety of sources. Most talent search engines also provide verified contact details so you can reach out to the talent you have found. In some cases these engines even automate a big part of the outreach process so you can reach hundreds of candidates per day.

An example of a talent search and engagement engine is HeroHunt.ai which can find 1 billion candidates worldwide and lets you reach out automatically with personalized messages.

Best job boards to find developers in Belgium

An alternative way to attract development talent is to post a job on a (local) job board.

These are the best local job boards to post your developer job on:

1. LinkedIn
2. StepStone
3. Monster
4. Jobat
5. Glassdoor
6. Fyte
7. Indeed
8. Jobup
9. Adzuna
10. Jooble

Best remote job boards to find developers in Belgium

If you are sourcing for remote talent then you can utilize remote specific job boards where you can post your remote job.

These are the best remote job boards to post your developer job on:

1. Remote.co
2. Upwork
3. Freelancer
4. LinkedIn
5. Glassdoor
6. Stack Overflow
7. WeWorkRemotely
8. Fiverr
9. Workingnomads.co
10. Jobbatical
11. PeoplePerHour
12. AngelList
13. RemoteOK
14. Toptal
15. Joblift
16. Remotive
17. Flexjobs
18. Outsourcely
19. JustRemote
20. PowerToFly

How to hire software developers from any place without a local office

When you’re hiring software developers you need to be aware of the local average salaries in order to provide a competitive job offer. Below are the average salaries for software developers per experience level.

Average local salaries

Average salary for a junior software developer in Belgium

The average salary for a junior developer in Belgium is €48,000 per year. This figure is based on the salaries reported by junior developers in the region.Junior developers are typically those with less than three years of experience in the tech industry. Salaries for these professionals range from €30,000 to €60,000 per year, with the most experienced earning the highest salaries. Those with knowledge of specific programming languages and frameworks can command higher salaries.Junior developers in Belgium can expect to receive bonuses and other incentives in addition to their basic salary. These additional benefits may include health insurance, paid leave, and other benefits.

Average salary for a senior software developer in Belgium

The average salary for a senior developer in Belgium is €55,000 per year. This salary can vary depending on the size of the company, the type of work being done, and the amount of experience the developer has. In addition to the base salary, many senior developers receive additional performance-based bonuses and stock options. Benefits packages are also typically offered for senior developers, including healthcare, vacation, and other incentives.

Employing software developers (remotely)

Maybe your company doesn't have an office (yet) in Belgium. But that doesn't mean you can't hire employees in Belgium. There are several options like EORs which can help employ developers legally according to the regulations in Belgium.



An Employer of Record (EOR) can be used in Belgium to help facilitate the hiring of foreign workers. An EOR is a third-party service provider that can act as an employer on behalf of a company in a different country. This allows companies to outsource the management of foreign workers’ employment contracts, payroll and other administrative tasks.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use an EOR in Belgium:

1. Identify the services you need from an EOR.

Before you start looking for an EOR, you should first identify the services you need from them. For example, you may need help with payroll, recruiting, or other administrative tasks.

2. Research EORs in Belgium.

Once you know what services you need, you can start researching EORs in Belgium. Look for ones with experience in the country and a good reputation. You can also read online reviews and ask for recommendations from other companies.

3. Contact the EOR and discuss your needs.

Once you’ve identified a few potential EORs, contact them to discuss your needs. Make sure to ask questions about their services and fees.

4. Sign a contract and set up the EOR.

Once you’ve chosen an EOR, you’ll need to sign a contract and set up the service. This may involve setting up a bank account for payroll, registering with the local authorities, and other administrative tasks.

5. Monitor the EOR’s performance.

You should regularly monitor the EOR’s performance to ensure they are meeting your expectations. If there are any issues, you can contact them to discuss and resolve them.

Using an EOR in Belgium can be a great way to simplify the hiring and management of foreign workers. By following these steps, you can ensure you choose the right EOR for your needs.

Use a platform to find and hire the best developers:
Best platforms to employ developers worldwide

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