In a small number of cases, employers take care of the administrative formalities and use the services of a relocation agency (relocator). If you are lucky enough to benefit from this, you will get help before you move and also when setting up in Belgium. You can also call on this kind of service yourself.
Administrative formalities and other obligations are numerous and time-consuming. For your own ease of mind, plan the following well in advance:
Use our checklist to prepare your expatriation!
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"2. Start learning the local language"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"It is sometimes difficult to find the time and motivation to learn the local language in advance. However, it will help you feel at home much faster.
In Belgium, three official languages coexist: French, Dutch and German. Depending on your place of residence, you will have to be sufficiently fluent in one or the other.
Brussels and Antwerp are home to many different nationalities and English is widely used there. This facilitates integration for numerous expats. Some people are happy to just keep speaking English, but this limits their day-to-day experience.
"}},{"componentType":"highlight","title":"Good to know!","richBody":{"value":"Brussels is officially bilingual. You'll get away with speaking French, but at least some basic knowledge of Dutch would be very helpful. A good level of English is essential when looking for a job if you do not speak Dutch. French is sufficient for Louvain-la-Neuve, Namur and Liège. In Antwerp, Ghent and Leuven, Dutch is the only official language. The Flemings, especially in these cities, are generally (more) comfortable with English than French, but Dutch will be necessary in your daily life.
Discover all our tips for expatriates on ING expat
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"3. Set clear goals"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Take the time to clearly define what you want to get out of your expatriation. This will then be a common thread that will reassure you in times of doubt (see below).
The nature of the goals matters less than the actual fact of having them. This is the driving force that will help you have a great expatriation experience. The only condition is to remain realistic when setting your goals!
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"4. Opening up to local cultures"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"When living in a foreign country, it can be tempting to turn to the local community of expats. It’s easy. It gives you the comfort of being surrounded by people “like you”. At the start of your expatriation, it may be interesting to get in touch with your own kind for expert advice. After all, they have already been through what you are currently going through. They will give you tips on where to find your favourite dishes from home, info on how to register with your local commune, the nicest neighbourhoods and the ones to avoid, etc. Your fellow citizens will even be able to explain certain Belgian expressions! And you will then know almost everything you need to know about your new host country!
But for your expatriation to be a real success, nothing beats a total immersion in the local customs. So once you have spent this short adaptation period among your fellow citizens, you must then face up to the reality of your adopted country by meeting up with the locals.
So get out there and experience every aspect of your new host country:
A great way to access this new culture is through one of your own personal interests. If you’re a foodie, you’ll want to visit the local restaurants or even take cooking classes. Lovers of contemporary art will want to visit galleries and explore exhibitions by local artists. By starting to discover the country through those aspects that you personally enjoy, you will quickly gain in confidence.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"5. Be patient"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Adapting to expat life is a complex process and researchers have studied the phenomenon. They divide the expatriation process into 4 successive phases :
Being aware of these phases before you arrive will help you take each one in your stride. Being patient and tolerant (towards both yourself and your host country) will help you get through times of doubt.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"6. Building bridges"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Being an expat means you are far from your family, friends, colleagues... all those you value most. You will therefore feel a great need to build new relationships in your host country, if not you may feel extremely isolated.
Have you brought your family with you? The children will quickly meet new people. The same is true of the person who will be working in the host country. However, this is different for the partner accompanying the expat. Sometimes, this person cannot practice his or her profession (lack of diploma equivalence or work permit, for example). It is essential that your partner tries to make connections.
Some ideas for meeting people in your host country:
The important thing is not to stay in a vacuum, so take every opportunity to gradually expand your circle of new acquaintances. There are several ways to do this. For example, in Brussels every country has a chamber of commerce office, and this enables you to meet other people from your own country but who do not work in your sector.
These tips apply to all those who accompany you to the host country. Talk about the move with everyone involved. This is a way to really get every member of your household on-board. You will then be ready for the adventure!
"}}]},"complementaryZone":{"flexComponents":[{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Also consider"},{"componentType":"cards","cards":[{"componentType":"articleCard","cardType":"article","cardSize":"medium","title":"How much does it cost to raise a child?","body":"Birth, nursery, school, higher education... Having a child is expensive. But how much does having a child cost?","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/77b6817b-52e0-4264-9cc4-9cabcf0d0ad0/A-happy-young-girl-holds-a-tray-of-cinnamon-buns-in-the-kitchen","type":"image","width":6457,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/4b4024744c20d2f/original/A-happy-young-girl-holds-a-tray-of-cinnamon-buns-in-the-kitchen.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"date":"2024-06-05","link":{"url":"/en/individuals/saving/how-much-does-a-child-cost"}},{"componentType":"articleCard","cardType":"article","cardSize":"medium","title":"5 saving tips to teach children how to save money","body":"Find out how to teach young people about savings accounts with these saving tips.","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/1f0ac8a8-5d20-4567-94ed-cbabc5ea746c/Your-budget-header-3","type":"image","width":1920,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/b40c07f5f1c893/original/Your-budget-header-3.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"date":"2024-05-27","link":{"url":"/en/individuals/saving/teach-your-child-how-to-save-money"}},{"componentType":"articleCard","cardType":"article","cardSize":"medium","title":"How to start future-proofing your child’s future","body":"How can you, as a parent, give your child the leg-up he will need?","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/e69a7a38-d29d-4448-8c6d-ccf8bd237ad4/saving-or-investing-for-your-child-1920","type":"image","width":1920,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/58e4354c1e1d4413/original/saving-or-investing-for-your-child-1920.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"date":"2024-06-10","link":{"url":"/en/individuals/managing-my-assets/investment-academy/start-up-capital-for-your-child"}},{"componentType":"articleCard","cardType":"article","cardSize":"medium","title":"Child savings accounts: why and how to save for your children","body":"In this article, we'll see how to set up savings, explore the benefits of saving for children, the risks of not saving for them, and the essential financial habits they should be taught.","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/43daa084-668d-4edc-a616-8c625b1ea175/extra-return-for-your-dormant-savings-1920","type":"image","width":1920,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/2be850c33bb25224/original/extra-return-for-your-dormant-savings-1920.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"date":"2023-08-03","link":{"url":"/en/individuals/saving/child-savings-accounts"}}]}]},"legalZone":{"flexComponents":[{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Disclaimer:","richBody":{"value":"This information is provided for information purposes only and is valid on the date of publication of this article on the ing.be website, i.e. 12/08/2025.
You can read the full disclaimer here.