Flanders, the Dutch speaking northern region of Belgium with its own Parliament and Government, has approved a policy change that will allow companies to hire foreign diamond polishers and sorters through a faster, simplified process, addressing a long-standing skills shortage in Antwerp’s diamond industry. The Flemish Government cleared the proposal by Minister of Work Zuhal Demir on 28 November, with the measure set to take effect on 1 January 2026.
Diamond polishing and sorting are now officially classified as medium-skilled shortage occupations. Employers can apply for a single permit for foreign specialists without undergoing a labour market test, cutting procedural delays and offering quicker access to essential talent.
“To remain competitive as a diamond trading centre, our companies must be able to hire diamond polishers and sorters from outside Europe quickly and easily, and this decision now makes that possible,” says Karen Rentmeesters, CEO, Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC).
Rentmeesters added that the recent US zero tariff on diamonds polished in Antwerp has sparked new demand for local polishing capacity. Companies want to route their rough diamonds through Antwerp to benefit from tariff savings, she said, but this requires an adequate pool of trained polishers.
The AWDC expressed appreciation to the government for recognising that these specialised profiles are scarce in Belgium. According to Rentmeesters, the move acknowledges the sector’s economic value and supports a more attractive business environment for diamond activity in Antwerp.
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