Should You Put a Photo on a Belgian CV? Pros and Cons
One of the most paralyzing moments when job hunting in Brussels is staring at that empty top corner of your resume wondering if a headshot is the secret sauce or a total deal-breaker. I spent weeks debating this before my first big interview in Antwerp, only to realize there is no single "correct" answer. This guide navigates the nuances of the Belgian recruitment landscape to help you decide.
The Cultural Landscape of the Belgian CV
In Belgium, your CV is more than just a list of jobs; it is a cultural document that reflects which region you are applying to. Unlike the United States or the United Kingdom, where photos are strictly discouraged to prevent discrimination, Belgium sits in a "grey zone." Historically, Belgian employers have appreciated a photo because it humanizes the applicant. However, as the workforce becomes more international and digital, these norms are shifting rapidly.
If you are looking for English-Speaking Jobs in Brussels: EU Bubbles and NGOs, you will find that the "no-photo" rule often applies because these organizations follow international or Anglo-Saxon standards. Conversely, if you are applying to a local SME (Small to Medium Enterprise) in Namur or Liège, a photo might still be expected. The regional divide is real. In Flanders, there is a slight trend toward the Dutch "sober" style of recruitment, which emphasizes skills over aesthetics. In Wallonia and Brussels, the French influence remains strong, where a professional "photo d'identité" is often seen as a standard part of the presentation.
The Regional Divide: Flanders vs. Wallonia
Understanding the linguistic and cultural borders is essential for any expat. When I first arrived, I didn't realize that a CV sent to a firm in Ghent might be perceived differently than one sent to a firm in Charleroi. The Belgian Work Culture: Bilingual Workplaces, Meetings, and Hierarchy dictates that you must be sensitive to these local expectations.
In Flanders, the recruitment process is increasingly focused on "blind" hiring practices to ensure diversity. Many large firms in Antwerp or Leuven are moving away from photos to avoid unconscious bias. If you are targeting Tech and Engineering Jobs in Flanders (Antwerp, Ghent, Leuven), you might find that skipping the photo makes you look more modern and aligned with global tech standards. On the other hand, in French-speaking regions, the photo is often viewed as a courtesy. It helps the recruiter remember you after a long day of interviews. It is about building a personal connection, which is a core value in Francophone business circles.
Pros of Including a Photo on Your Belgian CV
There are several compelling reasons why a veteran expat might choose to include a headshot. First and foremost is the "Memorability Factor." Recruiters in Belgium often handle hundreds of applications for a single position. A high-quality, professional photo can act as a visual anchor. When they discuss candidates in a meeting, they may refer to you as "the candidate with the bright blue background" or "the one who looked very approachable."
Another advantage is "Personal Branding." If you are applying for a role in sales, hospitality, or public relations, your appearance is part of your professional toolkit. A photo demonstrates that you understand the "look" of the industry. It shows that you are polished and ready to represent the company. Furthermore, it can help bridge the "foreigner gap." Sometimes, an expat name can feel "distant" to a local recruiter. A friendly, professional photo can make you feel more like a neighbor and less like a stranger from another continent.
To ensure your CV is up to par with local expectations, you should check out our guide on CVs and Cover Letters in Belgium: Formats and Interview Norms. Adding a photo is just one piece of the puzzle; the layout and tone must also resonate with the Belgian mindset.
Cons of Including a Photo on Your Belgian CV
While there are benefits, the risks are equally significant. The most prominent concern is "Unconscious Bias." Even the most well-meaning recruiter might hold internal biases regarding age, gender, ethnicity, or even perceived social class based on a photograph. In Belgium, Unia (the Interfederal Centre for Equal Opportunities) works hard to combat these biases, but they still exist in the private sector. By including a photo, you are voluntarily providing information that has nothing to do with your ability to perform the job.
Technically, there is also the issue of "ATS Compatibility." Many large Belgian corporations and recruitment agencies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes. Some older ATS software struggles to "read" CVs that have images or complex formatting. If the software glitches while trying to process your photo, your entire application might be discarded before a human ever sees it.
Additionally, space is a premium. A Belgian CV should ideally be no longer than two pages. A photo takes up valuable real estate that could be used to detail your experience or specific certifications you've earned through platforms like Udemy or Coursera. If you have a decade of experience, every square centimeter of that page is precious.
Technical Reality: ATS and Modern Hiring
The technical side of job hunting cannot be ignored. Belgian companies are increasingly adopting AI-driven tools to filter candidates. These tools are designed to look for keywords related to the Working in Belgium as an Expat: Jobs, Culture, and Hiring (2027) landscape. If your photo is embedded in a way that breaks the text flow, the AI might miss your key accomplishments.
If you decide to include a photo, ensure it is a small, high-resolution JPEG or PNG file that is "wrapped" by the text rather than sitting in a separate layer that could confuse a PDF reader. You should also consider whether the company is a "traditional" Belgian firm or a "modern" startup. Startups in Brussels' Silicon Woods or Ghent’s tech hubs almost never require a photo. In fact, appearing too traditional might signal that you aren't a fit for their "disruptor" culture.
How to Take a Belgian-Style Professional Photo
If you’ve weighed the options and decided that a photo is the right move for your specific industry, do not just crop a picture from a wedding or a holiday in the Ardennes. I’ve seen expats use "selfies" taken in their cars, and I can tell you from experience, it’s an immediate "no" from Belgian HR.
A Belgian professional photo should have a neutral background—think light grey or off-white. Your attire should match the role you want. If you are aiming for a corporate job at a bank like KBC or BNP Paribas, wear a suit or a professional blazer. If you are applying for a creative role, a neat "smart-casual" look is better. The lighting should be natural; avoid harsh shadows that make you look tired. Remember, the goal is to look like someone who is easy to work with and culturally integrated.
Improving your "on-paper" persona also involves showing that you are learning the local languages. Mentioning your progress on FrenchPod101 or DutchPod101 in your skills section can be just as impactful as a good photo. For more formal language training that looks great on a CV, many expats use Lingoda to reach the B2 level required for many local roles.
Comparative Table: To Photo or Not To Photo?
| Factor | Include a Photo | Exclude a Photo |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Sales, Hospitality, Front-Desk, PR | IT, Engineering, Finance, Research |
| Company Type | Small Local SMEs, Traditional Firms | Multinational Corps, NGOs, Tech Startups |
| Region | Wallonia, Brussels (Local) | Flanders, International Brussels Hubs |
| ATS Risk | High (Potential for parsing errors) | Low (Clean text is safer for AI) |
| Bias Risk | High (Age, gender, ethnicity) | Low (Focus remains on merits) |
| Space Use | Takes up roughly 3-5cm of header | Maximizes space for skill descriptions |
Navigating Employment Rights and Discrimination
It is important to know that under Employment Rights: Belgian Contracts, Notice Periods, and Leave, an employer cannot legally require you to provide a photo unless it is a "genuine occupational requirement" (like modeling or acting). If a job posting demands a photo for an accounting job, that is a red flag.
Belgium has strict anti-discrimination laws. However, proving that you were rejected because of a photo is nearly impossible. This is why many veteran expats choose the "safe" route: they leave the photo off the CV but ensure their LinkedIn profile has a stellar, professional headshot. This way, if a recruiter is curious, they can look you up, but your initial "merit-based" gatekeeping is done via a text-heavy, professional CV.
If you are unsure about the specific legalities of your application, you might want to review How to Translate Your Resume into a Belgian Europass Format. The Europass format actually includes a space for a photo, which suggests that at a European administrative level, it is still considered a standard option.
Final Verdict for the 2026 Job Market
The Belgian job market is in a state of transition. While the "traditional" path still embraces the CV photo, the "future" path is moving toward anonymity and data-driven hiring. My advice? Tailor your approach. If you are applying for Common Interview Questions at Belgian Tech Companies, keep the photo off. The tech world values your GitHub repository and your Coursera certifications far more than your headshot.
However, if you are applying to be a manager at a boutique hotel in Bruges or a family-owned law firm in Namur, that professional photo might just provide the "warmth" that a Belgian recruiter is looking for. Always save your CV as a PDF to preserve formatting, and never, ever use a photo that isn't professional. If you don't have a professional headshot, it is better to have no photo at all than a bad one.
Disclaimer
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Recruitment norms in Belgium can change based on regional legislation and specific industry regulations. Always consult with a local career coach or legal expert regarding specific discrimination concerns or labor law questions.
