Located in the heart of Wallonia, Namur combines quality of life with professional opportunities. This dynamic regional capital is increasingly attracting workers, particularly in the fields of services, innovation, health, or tourism. Whether you are looking for your first job, a new start, or an entrepreneurial venture, Namur can offer a stable, accessible, and ever-evolving environment.
The economy of Namur
Namur is a regional economic engine in Wallonia, driven by the public sector, services, and industrial craftsmanship. Historically renowned for its leather goods, porcelain, and metal production, the city continues to host SMEs active in manufacturing mechanical parts or machinery. Its train station is also strategically located, serving as a key junction between Brussels and Luxembourg City, as well as Lille and Liège.
Tourism also plays a significant role in the economy of Namur. Due to its location in the Ardennes, the city is a beautiful natural spot that attracts people from all walks of life.
The service sector dominates in Namur (about 75% of jobs), particularly in public administration, tourism, commerce, and business services.
The city also benefits from a very active secondary sector and numerous specialized sectors. This allows industries like manufacturing, textiles, and machinery to offer enormous employment opportunities. As a result, many young companies choose to establish themselves here.
Sectors Recruiting in Namur
In 2024, the employment rate in the province of Namur reached about 70.3%, surpassing the Walloon average of 67.1%. Nationally, the unemployment rate was at 6.2% in 2024.
Namur benefits from a genuine employment pool in Belgium, with a dynamic secondary sector and increasing attractiveness for startups, particularly in green and cultural technologies.
The sectors recruiting in Namur are numerous and varied, encompassing both traditional industries and innovative fields.
Among the most promising sectors are agri-food, chemicals, biotechnology, energy, environment, ICT (information and communication technologies), and the Web. Other sectors like aeronautics, automotive, construction, transport, logistics, healthcare, and social protection are also in demand for labor.
Finally, hospitality and catering, culture, tourism, and retail trade remain pillars of local employment, especially for versatile or seasonal profiles.
Where to look for a job in Namur
Before arriving in Belgium, two of the best options are online newspapers and job websites. An excellent resource is LinkedIn, as headhunters often use it for recruitment. By signing up on this site, you will gain access to valuable resources such as job searches, resume creation services, interview facilitation, etc. In addition to online sites and platforms, you can also check print newspapers, which would obviously be more complicated if you are not yet in the country.
Once in Belgium, things become easier. You can use private networks and word of mouth. Many companies are established in the Walloon Region, which facilitates job searching. There is also the University of Namur, which helps its students and graduates find jobs. The university job section is accessible to everyone, so you do not necessarily need to be a student to get a job in Namur through this means.
If you are more into hospitality, commerce, or tourism, it may also be useful to approach companies on-site. Many accept unsolicited applications, especially in high season.
You can also consult the following resources:
- The Employment Houses (Andenne, Gembloux, Philippeville, Basse-Sambre, etc.)
- Employment agencies such as Adecco or Abalone;
- Le Forem, the Walloon employment agency;
- The site of The City of Namur, regularly updated with offers
The work culture in Namur
If you come from a more traditional work culture, you are probably accustomed to the top-down management style, known as the French style. This style influences many Belgian workplaces.
However, in Namur, you should expect that many employers adopt the Dutch management style, which has gained popularity in recent years. This type of horizontal organization gives employees more say in company decisions and makes them feel more valued. Be aware that many Namur employers prefer the Dutch management style.
Salaries in Namur
In 2025, the minimum gross salary in Belgium is approximately €2,110 per month. However, Belgium applies a progressive tax system, with tax rates ranging from 25 to 50%. Therefore, your net income will largely depend on your personal situation (tax residence, family responsibilities, fringe benefits, etc.).
The average gross salary in Wallonia is around €3,270, but this figure varies greatly depending on the sector, experience, and education level. In Namur, qualified profiles in tech, the public sector, higher education, or biotechnology can earn between €4,000 and €5,500 gross per month. For some executives or consultants, salary scales can even exceed €6,000.
Becoming self-employed in Namur
Thinking of starting your own business in Belgium, particularly in Namur? Good news: the city and province offer a comprehensive ecosystem to help you start, finance, and grow your project, whether you are a craftsman, freelancer, or entrepreneur. Here are some key structures to know:
The association for merchants
This organization represents Namur merchants engaged in public services.
It actually has 5 sites in Belgium: in Bouge, Jambes, Namur, Saint-Servais, and Salzinnes. The association promotes local merchants and downtown Namur by coordinating various activities.
Banks offering professional loans in Namur
There are institutions like CPH Bank (formerly Crédit Professionnel du Hainaut), BNP Paribas Fortis, Belfius, or CBC, which offer specific professional loans for the self-employed to finance vehicles, equipment, materials, cash flow, or advance tax payments.
Namur Belgium service club
This non-profit organization is made up of retired executives, technicians, managers, and entrepreneurs. They assist the self-employed, SMEs, and young people, particularly for the European Voluntary Service. If you ever need advice on how to manage your business in Namur, the Namur Belgium Service Club can certainly help you.
Namur economic office
The Economic Office of the Province of Namur is an essential partner of the province in economic matters. The organization develops plans for an environmentally friendly economy that respects sustainable development. While the office assists businesses in various sectors, it mainly focuses on SMEs. It also manages household waste and works with consultants from the tourism sector, European cultural programs, and exhibition centers.
Namur chamber of commerce and industry
This independent association offers services to independent businesses, regardless of their size or activity. They invite local and international companies to join as members. Various types of professionals are registered there, including lawyers, tourism companies, financial companies, IT consultants, airlines, real estate developers, among others. Its mission is to help businesses develop a sustainable economy using local professional networks and services.
SynHERA
SynHERA was formerly known as "Interface ADISIF". It is a research and development center that offers services to researchers and project leaders. It aims to be a multidisciplinary network bringing together several research centers. You can consult them if you have questions or concerns about patents and intellectual property rights.
The registration commission foreEntrepreneurs
This organization is under the Federal Public Service Finance (FPS). Candidates who wish to have their headquarters in Namur must send their application by registered mail to the organization.
Namur Invest
Namur Invest is a joint-stock company. It develops financial tools for the creation of new businesses and helps those already established to grow further. It offers investments, loans (secured and unsecured), and support. On this last point, Namur Invest can leverage its expertise to help you in the management of your SME. They can also help you determine if your business plans are viable and assist you in achieving your goals realistically.
Good to know:
For certain professions, you will need to register with the Registration Commission for Entrepreneurs, especially if you work in construction or craftsmanship.
The Europe Direct Namur center closed its doors in 2021, but there are relay points in Liège, Brussels, or Luxembourg if you are looking for European support.
Obtaining a work permit in Belgium
If you are from the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, you will not need a work permit. In fact, in this case, you have the right to simply settle in Belgium without needing a visa. You can start looking for work immediately and will not need any additional formalities.
Otherwise, if you come from a third country, you will need to go through the additional step of applying for a work permit before you can legally take up a position. With some permits, you will need to apply from abroad before even arriving in Belgium. In this sense, you should conduct your research before moving.
Income tax in Belgium
As everywhere else in the world, you will pay income tax on the income you generate in Belgium. However, the amount of tax to be paid will largely depend on your residence status.
If you are a Belgian tax resident (presence of more than 183 days per year, or center of economic interests in Belgium), all your worldwide income will be taxable. However, if you are a non-resident, you will only be taxed on income generated in Belgium.
The Belgian tax administration will automatically send you your declaration. You must then settle your taxes before June 30 of the following year.
Good to know:
Under certain conditions, expatriates receive non-taxable allowances to facilitate their transition to Belgian life. You can thus claim up to €11,000 in tax deductions per year, hence the importance of informing yourself in advance.
Commuting to work in Namur
Namur attracts workers from other cities daily: about 1 in 3 active residents work outside the commune. The city is well served, which facilitates daily commuting to work.
By train, Namur station is a strategic hub between Brussels, Liège, Luxembourg City, and Lille. IC trains regularly connect Brussels-Central to Namur in about 1 hour and 10 minutes, with lines to Ciney, Dinant, or Liège-Saint-Lambert.
Regarding public transport, the city unfortunately does not have a tram or metro system. The only way to get around the city is by bus, which is operated by TEC, the public transport operator of the Walloon Region. All bus routes start and end at the station. You can thus take one to go to the office and return and take the train.
Belgium has a very good cycling infrastructure, so you might consider cycling to work and back. It is more financially viable to buy your own bike, but there is also a bike rental service offered by the municipal administration.
You can rent bikes at 20 locations all around Namur. If you work for the University of Namur, you can get free tickets to rent these bikes.
Many Belgians commute by car. You can even carpool.
And there is the car-sharing system in Namur called "cambio". You just need to sign up. You can then rent a car at Namur stations. With this system, you can even rent cars elsewhere in Belgium.
Namur also has a very unique service called Les Namourettes. Unique to Namur, it is a boat transport service around the city. These boats are available especially when it is warmer. They shuttle between Jambes and Namur, but they also have several stops along the way. It is therefore also possible to commute from other places.
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