The first Italians in Belgium were some Tuscan merchants and bankers of the Renaissance, and subsequently a few dozen artisans and exiles until the 18th century.

In the early 19th century, a small community of Italians began to emerge, almost all of them from the north, in the main cities of Wallonia and in Brussels.

On 23 June 1946, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Belgium and Italy, which was in a difficult social situation caused by the defeat in World War II.

The agreement provided for the arrival of 50,000 Italians in exchange for the export to Italy of "200 kg of coal per miner per day.

[7] Belgian industry then began hiring workers mainly in Spain, Greece, Morocco and Turkey.

It should also be noted that in recent decades, with the creation and development of the European Union and NATO, which have their headquarters in Brussels, many Italian officials and employees, as well as employees of the institutional related industries (freelance professionals, lobbyists, non- government) have moved there to live with their respective families (albeit temporarily).

[9] Unlike other migrant workers, like the Moroccans or Turks, the Italian community in Belgium is very well integrated into Belgian society.

[11] In Brussels, Italians are more attracted to the administrative, social and health sector,[11] while in Wallonia they turn more to industry and construction.