Complete guide

How to find software developers in Brussels

Brussels
February 22, 2023
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Brussels is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union. It is located in the Brussels-Capital Region and has a population of over 1.2 million people. The city is known for its historic architecture, its vibrant nightlife, and its many museums and galleries. It is also the headquarters of several international organizations, such as NATO and the European Commission. Brussels is also a great place to find software developers. But software engineers in Brussels are also hard to find and hard to hire. Experienced developers get a lot of messages from recruiters, in some cases five or ten messages per day. To find engineers in Brussels you have to search for engineers in different sources, reach out based on their preferred contact details, personalize your outreach and make an attractive offer. In this guide you'll learn more about the tech ecosystem in Brussels, which methods to use to find developers and how to hire them.

Why Brussels is a good place to find developers

Developer statistics in Brussels

The statistics on tech talent in Brussels show that the city has become an increasingly attractive destination for tech talent. Over the past five years, the number of tech professionals in the city has grown by 48%, with the number of new hires increasing by 50%. The city also has the highest concentration of tech talent in the EU, at more than 4,000 professionals per 100,000 inhabitants. The majority of tech professionals in Brussels are software developers and engineers, with a growing number of data scientists, AI/machine learning experts, and other tech professionals. The city is also home to a vibrant startup community, with more than 400 startups and 200 investors active in the city.

The tech ecosystem in Brussels

The Brussels tech ecosystem is growing rapidly, with a vibrant and diverse network of entrepreneurs, investors, accelerators, and other stakeholders. The city is home to a large number of incubators, accelerators, and venture capital firms, as well as a wide variety of tech events. There is a strong focus on creating an environment conducive to innovation, with a number of government initiatives to promote digital entrepreneurship. Additionally, the city is home to a number of leading companies in the field of artificial intelligence, blockchain, and other emerging technologies. The city is also home to a thriving start-up scene, which has been bolstered by the presence of leading tech companies like Google and Microsoft.

Best tech meetups in Brussels

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. Brussels.AI
2. Devoxx Belgium
3. Brussels Machine Learning Meetup
4. OpenDataMeetup
5. Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Brussels
6. IoT Brussel
7. ProductTank Brussels
8. Brussels Google Cloud Platform Meetup
9. Brussels AI and ML Meetup
10. Future of Web Apps Brussels

Best methods to source and recruit talent in Brussels

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



1. Use job boards and professional networking sites like LinkedIn and Indeed to find software development talent in Brussels.

2. Reach out to local universities and tech schools to find software developers.

3. Connect with startups and tech companies in Brussels to source software developers.

4. Attend tech events and conferences in Brussels to network and find software development talent.

5. Utilize recruitment agencies that specialize in software development in Brussels.

6. Leverage social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to advertise open positions and find software 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 Brussels 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 Brussels

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. Glassdoor
3. Indeed
4. Stack Overflow
5. The Network
6. Monster
7. EuroBrussels
8. Eurojobs
9. StepStone
10. Jobat

Best remote job boards to find developers in Brussels

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. Jobteaser
2. Remote.co
3. FlexJobs
4. WeWorkRemotely
5. Freelancer
6. Upwork
7. Indeed
8. LinkedIn
9. Glassdoor
10. PeoplePerHour

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 Brussels

The average salary for a junior developer in Brussels is €38,000 per year. This includes a base salary of €30,000, plus additional bonuses and incentives. Junior developers typically work on small-scale projects or may be involved in larger projects in a support role. They are responsible for writing, testing, and maintaining code and software applications. They may also be expected to provide support to other developers, answer customer queries, and assist with product development.

Average salary for a senior software developer in Brussels

The average salary for a senior developer in Brussels is €53,063 per year, with salaries ranging from €42,993 to €63,822. The median salary is €52,613, meaning that half of all senior developers in Brussels earn more than this amount and half earn less. Salaries can vary depending on experience, industry, and location. Senior developers in Brussels typically have a minimum of five years of experience in software development, and are typically highly knowledgeable in programming languages, software engineering principles, and software development tools.

Employing software developers (remotely)

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



An Employer of Record (EOR) is a service that allows businesses to outsource certain aspects of their payroll and human resources operations in Kingston, Jamaica. It provides a cost-effective and efficient way to manage payroll, employee benefits, and human resources compliance in an international setting.

1. Identify an EOR provider.

Before selecting an EOR provider, it is important to conduct research to ensure that they are reputable, experienced, and can provide the services you need. You should also investigate the provider’s fees and services to make sure they are competitive and comprehensive.

2. Establish a service agreement.

Once you have identified an EOR provider, you should establish a service agreement that outlines the specific services they will provide and the fees associated with them. It is important to ensure that all of the details are included and that you are comfortable with the terms before signing.

3. Outline the responsibilities of the EOR provider.

The EOR provider should be responsible for onboarding and offboarding employees, managing payroll, administering employee benefits, and ensuring compliance with local regulations and laws.

4. Monitor performance.

Once the EOR provider has been established and the service agreement has been signed, it is important to monitor their performance to ensure that they are providing the services you need. If there are any issues that arise, you should address them quickly and efficiently to keep everything running smoothly.

By using an Employer of Record in Kingston, Jamaica, businesses can save time and money, while still ensuring that their payroll and human resources operations are managed properly.

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

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