The law which puts them on a par with other professionals, comes as sex work was decriminalised in the country in 2022.
Sex workers in Belgium have been granted full employment rights, including maternity pay, sick days and pensions.
The world-first legal breakthrough is being hailed by some supporters as a “revolution”.
Sex workers now have added protection where they can sign employment contracts, and will have the fundamental rights to be able to refuse clients, choose their practices, and stop an act at any moment.
“This is an incredible step forward,” said Isabelle Jaramillo, co-ordinator of Espace P, an advocacy group involved in drafting the legislation.
“It means their profession can finally be recognised as legitimate by the Belgian state.”
She added: “From the employer’s perspective, this will also be a revolution. They’ll have to apply for a state authorisation to hire sex workers.
“Under the previous legislation, hiring someone for sex work automatically made you a pimp, even if the arrangement was consensual.”
Other countries across Europe, including Germany and the Netherlands, have followed Belgium in decriminalising sex work, but none have yet implemented labour protections as comprehensive as Belgium has.
Establishing rules on working hours, pay and safety measures, the legislation also grants sex workers access to health insurance, paid leave, maternity benefits, unemployment support and pensions.
The legislation ensures duties sit with the employer, who must provide clean linen, condoms, and hygiene products, and install emergency buttons in workspaces.
Those wishing to employ sex workers must now obtain authorisation, adhere to strict safety protocols, and meet background requirements, including no prior convictions for sexual assault or human trafficking.
Independent sex work remains permitted, but unregulated third-party hiring or violations of the legal framework will be prosecuted.
However, critics have argued the law cannot fully address the stigma and risks tied to the trade, especially for undocumented sex workers.
“There’s still a lot of work to be done,” Ms Jaramillo added, emphasising the need for better police and judicial training to protect marginalised workers.