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Moving to : Belgium

There are a number of things you will need to research or do before moving to Belgium, these include:

• Local Culture 
• Residence Permits/Visa Requirements/Fees 
• How to search for work if you do not already have a job 
• The importance of your Contract of Employment 
• Self Employed? Starting a new business 
• Studying in Belgium 
• School/Childcare - admissions, childcare, registration 
• Retiring to Belgium 
• Accommodation, property search 
• Removal Companies and Personal Effects 
• Public Healthcare 
• Registering with a Doctor/Dentist 
• Medication 
• Private Medical Insurance, Healthcare and Hospitals 
• Banking 
• Setting up TV, Telephone and Internet 
• Registering for a mobile phone 
• Taking your car 
• Moving your pets 
• Make sure your passport is valid 
• Tickets for your move, hotel bookings and car rental 
• UK Voter Registration 
• Final Checklists 
• Final Notifications 

Belgian culture is defined in many ways. From food and festivals to bull fighting. Clicking on the links below will help you understand the country and its unique appeal.

Wikipedia article on Belgian culture
Principia Cybernetica Web - Belgian Identity 
Belgium Culture Info
TravelDocs - Belgium

Each area of Belgium will also have its own history and culture. Don't forget to run a search specifically on the area of Belgium you are looking at moving to.

Belgium has three official languages. These are French, Dutch and German.  Depending on the area of Belgium you plan to move to, will depend which language is used most.  Brussels is the only region which is officially "bilingual".

We recommend Google for all searches and the easiest way of searching for local culture is to put "culture" + the area of Belgium you are investigating.

As an EU national you will need a residence permit to work in Belgium although you do not need a specific work permit.  However it is always best to be prepared, and have employment set up before you go.

You are able to enter the country for up to 3 months as a tourist providing you can prove that you can support yourself during this period and have medical insurance, however if you plan to stay longer, you must register with the local town hall (maison communale/gemeentehuis) within eight days of your arrival. 

More information can be found on this in our "living in..." Registering your arrival in the Country.

There are a number of websites which focus on job searchs in Belgium.  The following are a few, however we can not take personal liability for any of their content or claims.

4ICJ 
Jobs Abroad
Job Centre Plus
Executives on the Web
Tip Top Jobs

You will need your employment contract in order to apply for full residency, and anything else that requires proof of income or a credit agreement.

Belgian labour law differs between different categories of workers - blue and white collar workers, part-timers, temporary staff, domestic and homeworkers and students - and labour regualtions are not the same for all categories.  Whatever category you may fall into, contracts should be signed by both parties on the first day of employement and you should make sure you know exactly what your signing!

If you do not have an employment contract you will be working illegally and could be sent home. In order to work you will need to be issued with a RSZ number (national insurance equivlient - more information can be found about this on our "living in..." Tax registration with the authorities). Your employer should apply for a social security number on your behalf.

If you are planning on going to Belgium and starting your own business, these sites may be of use to you:

BrusselsLife
Doing Business

One thing these sites don't mention is that you MUST be a resident to start a business in Belgium.

You do not want to break the law by doing something illegal by mistake.  So always consult a notary public who can advise you best on what category of business best suits your needs, and the forms you will need to complete to ensure everything is ok.

If you're going to study in Belgium, you will need information regarding courses.  You also need to decide what area you plan to study in as there are three languages available; Flemish, French or German once you have decided you will need to contact your local authority in that area to discuss your educational needs further.  The following sites may be useful.

Commission for Educational Exchange (this is a US site, however may be useful)
Open University - Business School in Belgium
Colleges & Universities - Belgium

Be aware!!!!  Students over the age of 15 in full-time education are entitled to work during school holidays but their work is strictly regulated.  They can earn up to 2,610€ tax-free per year but must pay social security contributions on that amount.  If they earn more, they are not only taxed on their income but they are no longer considered as dependents of their parents who in turn will lose their rights to tax deductions and child benefit!

Crèches (crèche/kribbe) are available for babies, with priority for mothers with full-time jobs, and nursery schools (pregardienne/peutertuin) for children aged 18 months to two and a half years.  You can get more details from the commune:

Office de la Naissance et de l'Enfance (French/English)
Kind en Gezin (Dutch, French and English)

We believe that both of the above links will take you direct to the English pages, however if not, be aware there are English options if you look around the sites.

The rules for compulsory schooling are simple. Children are expected to start school at the age of 6 although they can start at 5 if they are considered more mature. One of the biggest decisions you need to make will be "Do I want my children educated in English, at an International school, or in a local school?" These sites may help you with this decision.

Schooling in Belgium 
Newsweek - Benefits of an International School Education
About - International Schools
British International Schools in Belgium 

Once you have decided on the kind of school you will be looking for, this site explains how to find a suitable school and the processes to register.

AngloInfo - Education & Schooling in Belgium 

If you are considering retiring to Belgium, then the following sites should be useful:

Foreign & Commonwealth Office - Moving Abroad
DirectGov - Preparing to move or retire abroad

The decision regarding whether to purchase or rent a property in Belgium can be difficult. If you are looking to buy, then these links will help.

Overseasrealestate - Belgian property guide 
Homes go Fast 
Right Move - Property Website

Rental can be harder as most real estate agencies focus on short term/holiday rentals, however it is not impossible. You will usually be expected to pay a deposit and a months' rent in advance and property search for rentals is usually easier in autumn and winter as during the summer months the shorter lease periods are more appealing to landlords.

Belgimmo 
Immoweb 
ReMax   
Aximas

Most of the above also look at Sales as well as rentals.

When shipping your personal (household) effects within the EU, they are not subject to normal customs formalities or restrictions.

Please check our Resources section to see if there is any further information on English speaking removal companies.

The Form E111 is no longer valid. You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Belgian nationals.  This can be used for up to two years, however becoming members of a Belgian health insurance scheme is highly recommended.

NHS Guide
Foreign & Commonwealth Office - Travel Insurance

Many Doctors and Dentists are English speaking. You have a free choice of general practitioner, paediatrician and several specialists within your area, providing your choice does not bring the doctor's/dentist's list above the maximum patients permitted. For an English speaking Doctor, ask around - other Brits in the neighbourhood can help as well as many of the locals.

It's also always a good idea to contact the consulate or look in the yellow pages as these can also provide a list of English speaking Doctors/Dentists.   The community help service can be contacted too.

The site Community Help Service may also be able to help.

Before taking any medication into Belgium make sure that you check that it is legal to do so. Interestingly 63% of Britons didn’t know that some medication in the UK e.g. alcohol based prescription drugs and painkillers such as codeine are illegal in some countries. In Japan for instance, the Vicks inhaler and Sudafed are illegal!

World Health - Belgium

Belgium's medical services are reputed among the best and most modern in the world.  To benefit fully from this excellent service it is essential to know the ropes.  While you will never be refused medical treatment in Belgium on the grounds that you cannot pay, the implications of getting sick without adequate health insurance can be serious.

Expatica - Belgian Healthcare System

Please check our Resources section to see if there is any further information on additional medical insurance, general private heathcare and private hospitals.

Belgium offers newcomers a wide choice of banking institutions and facilities as well as state-of-the-art electronic banking possibilities.

It is possible to set up a bank account before you arrive in Belgium.  Once you have sorted out residency, you must notify your bank immediately.

Remember, when looking for a bank account, shop around.  For example, most banks give you an overdraft facility, varying from bank to bank; some automatically allow you credit which is much higher than others.  If you want to arrange your own limits, most banks are accommodating but it's wise to ask about bank charges which will also vary from bank to bank.

Opening a bank account is fairly straightforwad.  Hopefully, these sites should give you the information you need. 

Angloinfo - Banking 
Vremco - How? 

Many companies take a while to set these up, so once you know where you will be living, you might want to contact these companies in advance, so you are able to have connection from the day you move in.

AngloInfo - Telephone & Internet 
AngloInfo - Television & Cable

Please check our Resources section to see if there are any alternatives.

There are three primary mobile phone networks in Belgium.  Decide if you want a monthly subscription or a pay as you go, and then look into them thoroughly.  Choose the supplier and tarriff that best suits your needs.

Base 
Mobistar 
Proximus 

As for your UK mobile. Our guess is that you will be returning to the UK from time to time and may want a low cost way for people to contact you when you are there. So why not cancel your contract, but switch to a "Pay as you go"? This is a number that most of your friends/family will already have, so record your voicemail explaining that this phone is now only on when you are in the UK, and tell them how to contact you when you're not. Be careful when choosing your PAYG plan as some expect you to use your phone every few weeks to keep it active.

Deciding whether to take your car or not is something you will need to think about. What is "right" varies from person to person. For example, for my first move, I took my UK car with me for the first 6 months only. This gave me the security blanket when I wasn't sure if I would stay. Had I returned to the UK, I wouldn't have then had to look for a new car. Having decided to stay, I returned my UK car to the UK, and bought a local one. Just make sure that if you decide to take your own car, your insurance covers you properly with a "permanent green card"!

Don't forget you must also notify the DVLA if you plan to take your car out of the UK either temporarily or permanently. 

Direct Gov - Taking your car abroad

Importing your car is relatively simple.  If you are shipping it over, your shipper will fill you in on the formalities.  If however you plan on driving it over you can begin proceedings once you are registered with your commune.  No import tax is due on cars more than six months old.  You must have a certificat de conformité européen, it must pass the contrôle technique (their equivilant to the MOT) and then be insured with a Belgian insurer.  Customs will then nstamp your insurance at the border and give you a special "705" sticker.  Once you have all the documents, send them to the vehicle registration department or DIV and you'll get your Belgian registration plate within a few days.

No one wants to leave their other family members behind, so take them with you! Also, please don't forget to consider they may need their own Residency permits once in Belgium.  You can check what is needed with the local commune. 

DEFRA - Qualifying Countries for the PETS Scheme
DEFRA - Preparing your pet for travel (cats, dogs & ferrets)
DEFRA - Preparing your pet for travel (rabits and rodents)

Make sure you have a valid passport. You do not need a minimum period of validity; however it must remain valid for the duration of your stay.

UK Passport Office - UK Passport Information

When moving you need to set a date to do so. Once you have this date, you need to consider your flights or travel arrangements. Investigate cheap flights or travel. There is no need to spend a fortune getting there when there are many cheap options available. The following site details the list of low cost airlines flying to Belgium:

Attitude Travel - Guide to Cheap Airline Carriers

If you have not arranged somewhere to live, make sure you have accommodation until you do. Book yourself a hotel. In addition, you may be going to sign contracts for your accommodation. This does not mean you can stay there on the first night! This may not be possible. So make sure you know exactly what your plans are and make arrangements that take these into consideration.

Where car hire is concerned do your research. Different companies offer different deals at different times. Check our Resources section to see if there is more information on car hire and deals.

Don't Lose Your Vote!

If you are 18 and over, and were previously registered to vote in the UK within the last 15 years, you can apply to register again as an overseas voter.

Overseas Voting