
Working in Belgium
General Information
Number of occupational therapists in Belgium
15,808
In Belgium , the term "occupational therapist" is also referred to as
Ergotherapeut (Dutch and German), Ergothérapeute (French)
Main language(s) spoken in Belgium
Dutch, French, German
Registration
Occupational therapists are required to register with a federal/national organisation to practice
Required
General information about working in Belgium: https://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/services/travel_to_belgium/working_in_belgium (External) ↗
https://www.belgium.be/en/work/coming_to_work_in_belgium/ (External) ↗ https://www.enic-naric.net/belgium.aspx#sec_57 (External) ↗
Belgium has a federal state structure and education belongs to the exclusive competences of the Communities. Therefore, in each Community there is a NARIC centre.
https://www.belgium.be/en/work/coming_to_work_in_belgium/ (External) ↗ https://www.enic-naric.net/belgium.aspx#sec_57 (External) ↗
Belgium has a federal state structure and education belongs to the exclusive competences of the Communities. Therefore, in each Community there is a NARIC centre.
Occupational therapists are required to register with a state/regional organisation to practice
Required
Belgium has a federal state structure and education belongs to the exclusive competences of the Communities. Therefore, in each Community there is a NARIC centre.
Recognition of a "non-EU certificate of qualification/diploma" to work in the:
Flemish Community: https://www.naricvlaanderen.be/en/naric-vlaanderen (External) ↗
French Community: http://www.enseignement.be/index.php?page=0&navi=2087 (External) ↗
German-speaking Community: http://www.ostbelgienbildung.be (External) ↗
NARIC also decides who can get a "visum" (= license to practice) for non-EU certificate of qualification/diploma...
Recognition of a "non-EU certificate of qualification/diploma" to work in the:
Flemish Community: https://www.naricvlaanderen.be/en/naric-vlaanderen (External) ↗
French Community: http://www.enseignement.be/index.php?page=0&navi=2087 (External) ↗
German-speaking Community: http://www.ostbelgienbildung.be (External) ↗
NARIC also decides who can get a "visum" (= license to practice) for non-EU certificate of qualification/diploma...
It is compulsory to join the Ergotherapie Belgium in order to practice as an occupational therapist
No
Practicing Requirements
Graduation from a WFOT approved programme is required to register to practice
Yes
Language(s) that are required for occupational therapists to practice
Dutch (Flemish), French, German
Dutch in Dutch-speaking region: more information www.ergotherpie.be - French in French-speaking region: more information www.ergo-upe.be - In Brussels: Dutch and French - German is a small Eastern part of the country
Employment Opportunities
Occupational therapy is recognised as a shortage occupation
Yes
Sources of information for occupational therapist employment opportunities
Regional employment offices such as VDAB, Le FOREM, ACTIRIS, schools, websites of regional associations (www.ergo-upe.be in French and www.ergotherapie.be in Dutch)
Immigration
Immigration regulations or visa requirements to practice
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Occupational therapy assistants exist in Belgium
No
Disclaimer: This information was provided by Ergotherapie Belgium and was last updated on 17th February 2025. WFOT is not liable for any inaccuracies, omissions, or changes in the information provided. This information is intended as a guide and should be independently verified before making any decisions.
Definition of Occupational Therapy in Belgium
Ergotherapie Belgium's definition of occupational therapy in own language
L’ergothérapeute est le paramédical qui accompagne les personnes présentant un dysfonctionnement physique, psychique et/ou social en vue de leur permettre d´acquérir, de recouvrer ou de conserver un fonctionnement optimal dans leur vie personnelle, leurs occupations professionnelles ou la sphère de leurs loisirs, par l’utilisation d’activités concrètes, s’y rapportant et tenant compte de leurs potentialités et des contraintes de leur environnement.
De ergotherapeut is de paramedicus die mensen met fysieke, psychische en/of sociale dysfuncties begeleidt met oog op het bevorderen, terugwinnen, en/of in stand houden van het zo zelfstandig mogelijk functioneren in hun persoonlijk leef-, werk- en ontspanningssituatie, via concrete activiteiten daaraan ontleend en rekening houdend met hun draagkracht en de draaglast vanuit hun omgeving.
De ergotherapeut is de paramedicus die mensen met fysieke, psychische en/of sociale dysfuncties begeleidt met oog op het bevorderen, terugwinnen, en/of in stand houden van het zo zelfstandig mogelijk functioneren in hun persoonlijk leef-, werk- en ontspanningssituatie, via concrete activiteiten daaraan ontleend en rekening houdend met hun draagkracht en de draaglast vanuit hun omgeving.
Ergotherapie Belgium's definition of occupational therapy in English
The occupational therapist is the paramedical who assists patients suffering from a physical, psychic and/or social disability, in order to allow them to acquire, recover or maintain an optimum ability for performing functions required in their daily life, their professional occupations or their sphere of leisure, by using concrete related activities and taking into account the patients potentialities as well as the constraints of their environment.
Definition date: August 2009
Education Programmes
WFOT Approved Programmes in Belgium
15