Here are the unavoidable expenses that you will need to take into account when moving from your home country and settling in Belgium as an expat:
In addition, you can use a relocation service. This service, although optional, can greatly facilitate your expatriation to Belgium, by saving you valuable time and by guiding you from the outset towards the right choices, tailored to your desires and circumstances.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"2. Cost of living in Belgium"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"The cost of living in Belgium depends on many factors related to your lifestyle and place of residence. Thinking about how you want to live in Belgium will help you set a longer-term budget and depart with peace of mind. However, you should be aware that the energy and telecommunications costs are relatively high, as Belgium often has more expensive rates than its neighbours.
"}},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"
Whether you choose to rent or buy a house or apartment, the cost of housing in Belgium varies greatly depending on where you live.
Antwerp and Brussels are very popular with expats. Both offer a cosmopolitan environment and numerous international career opportunities. They are also expensive cities, where real estate prices still vary by neighbourhood/municipality.
The smaller university towns of Leuven and Louvain-la-Neuve also attract many expats. Real estate is just a little cheaper there because demand is not quite as strong.
If you are looking for something a little calmer, note that the areas surrounding these four cities offer very pleasant living environments... and highly attractive real estate prices.
Also note that in Belgium, if the property is rented through a real estate agency, it is the owners who pay the agency’s commission and not the other way around!
Renting a home in Belgium: watch out for early termination penalties
Terminating your lease before the term can very quickly take a toll on your finances if you signed a long-term lease. For example, if you sign a lease of more than 3 years (and less than 9 years) in the Brussels region, and even if you comply with the 3 months’ notice period, if you decide to leave within the first year, you will be liable for 3 months’ rent. If you leave during the second year, 2 months’ rent and before the end of the 3-year term: 1 month’s rent. This penalty is always 1 month’s rent for early termination if you signed a short-term lease.
However, you can always try to negotiate a different departure clause with the building owner. Ask him or her to drop this early termination payment in exchange for you committing to finding a tenant at your own expense so that the building owner does not have any break in the rent. This solution will always be cheaper!
In any case, one thing is certain, make sure you have all the information you need before signing!
Short-term leases (more than 1 year and less than 3 years) and long-term leases (9 years and more). Please note that, since 2018, regulations on leases have been regionalised. This means that depending on the region (Brussels-Capital, Flanders or Wallonia) in which you wish to reside, certain characteristics of your lease contract may be different. Understanding the ins and outs of a lease is therefore particularly important when moving into a rental property in Belgium.
As expatriates, opt for a main residence lease and not a common law lease because you will be better protected if your home proves to be unfit for habitation for example.
Finally, please also note that in order to guarantee that the deposit will be returned in accordance with the wishes of the tenant and the building owner, it is customary to place this money in a blocked account called a ‘rental guarantee’. This sum is frozen in this account for the duration of the rental period and will only be released when the tenant leaves with the obligatory signature of both parties. If, during the departure inventory, damage attributable to the tenant is identified, the building owner will indicate the amount that he or she wishes to recover directly from the rental guarantee and the amount that will ultimately accrue to the tenant.
"},"title":"In Belgium, there are essentially 2 types of leases:"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"In Belgium, public education is very widespread because it is high quality. If you want a cosmopolitan environment, you can turn to private education. There are several highly reputed international schools in Brussels and its outskirts, such as the European School for example, but places are expensive and registration fees are high. As for universities and other higher education institutions, Belgium certainly compares favourably with other countries and this for a generally affordable cost (depending on the institution and sector).
Good to know:
There is no housing allowance for students in Belgium. Something to think about if you are considering higher education for your child in Belgium. This is why there are so many student ‘kots’: this form of co-rental allows students to have a room at a very low cost!
Depending on where you live and how you work, you can use public transport or your own personal means of transport. The tram is popular in cities like Antwerp and Brussels, it combines speed and cost-efficiency. The metro and bus are used frequently in Brussels because the city is one of the most congested in Europe! Don’t even think about driving your car around Brussels on European summit days! Trains are also popular with commuters in Belgium.
Then there is the option of your own personal means of transport. The Belgian motorway network is free of charge. So it is widely used by Belgians and by foreign trucks. Traffic jams are common as a result. A motorcycle avoids these pitfalls. If you live outside the city and have children, you will likely need a car, to be combined with other means of transport if necessary.
Cycling is very popular in the major Flemish cities. Brussels, which had long lagged behind in this area, has significantly improved its infrastructure in recent years. And if you only use this means of transport occasionally, a great solution is to sign up for an on-demand bicycle rental subscription. It’s practical and economical!
Good to know
There are private shuttles around major cities to transport children taking part in their extracurricular activities. These private services are expensive but can be useful when you don’t have much time to spare.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Health budget required for Belgium"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Healthcare all over Belgium is of high quality. If you are entitled to Belgian social security (mandatory and universal when you meet the conditions), you and your family will benefit from reliable protection. Reimbursements are calculated according to a scale. Using care services given by so-called contracted providers (‘conventionné’) will enable you to obtain the most reimbursement from your health insurance in Belgium. There are also many care providers who have opted to be non-contracted (‘non conventionné’), but they can be more expensive. By checking this criterion in advance, you will avoid any unpleasant surprises. A supplementary health insurance, a non-mandatory one in other words, can top off healthcare reimbursements.
You should also be aware that dental care provided by contracted providers is fully reimbursed for children up to and including 18 years of age.
Good to know
Medical care and medicines are reimbursed by social security via an approved mutual health insurance company with which you will have to register when you arrive in Belgium. But be careful, in order to benefit from full medical coverage, you must opt for supplementary insurance. Pay particular attention to dental and hospital reimbursements which, without this additional cover, can quickly become exorbitant, especially if healthcare providers are not contracted!
Would you like more advice? Go to ING expat
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