{"type":"document","data":{"complementaryZone":{"flexComponents":[{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"What other expats found useful"},{"cards":[{"cardSize":"small","cardType":"product","componentType":"productCard","image":{"extension":"jpg","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/36db180dc964530b/original/investments-basics-video-investing-or-saving-1920.jpg","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/5d3c2162-1143-4dde-a8d5-0389b8f5cc96/investments-basics-video-investing-or-saving-1920","type":"image","width":1920},"intro":"Build a financial reserve with ease. Discover solutions for saving at your own pace.","link":{"url":"/en/individuals/saving"},"title":"Saving as individuals"},{"cardSize":"small","cardType":"product","componentType":"productCard","image":{"extension":"jpg","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/55adcc759fe1549c/original/insurances-1920.jpg","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/f60c7da6-9767-4d0d-a288-4b9c416e46e0/insurances-1920","type":"image","width":1920},"intro":"Opt for peace of mind and take out your insurance with ING.","link":{"url":"/en/individuals/insurance"},"title":"Insurance"},{"cardSize":"small","cardType":"product","componentType":"productCard","image":{"extension":"jpg","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/5dc153a7a1430bbd/original/visa-classic-1920.jpg","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/c032b919-e15a-43bb-b95b-bef95f5c8fcd/visa-classic-1920","type":"image","width":1920},"intro":"The credit card for easy payments everywhere","link":{"url":"/en/individuals/credit-cards/credit-card-visa"},"promoText":"*Contest","title":"ING Visa Classic"},{"cardSize":"small","cardType":"product","componentType":"productCard","image":{"extension":"jpg","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/1d05b1ae693addd7/original/deals-woman-shopping-bags.jpg","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/37bc04ea-f3ac-499a-945e-0576e0e1b607/deals-woman-shopping-bags","type":"image","width":8192},"intro":"Pay with your ING cards at the selected retailer and get cashbacks up to 11%*.","link":{"url":"/en/individuals/daily-banking/ing-plus-deals"},"title":"Get cashbacks on your purchases"},{"cardSize":"small","cardType":"product","componentType":"productCard","image":{"extension":"jpg","original":"https://assets.ing.com/asset/7ead30de-7124-4324-8e97-12b8d0b602f4/expats-moving-internationally-1920.jpg","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/7ead30de-7124-4324-8e97-12b8d0b602f4/expats-moving-internationally-1920","type":"image","width":1920},"intro":"To buy, build or renovate your home as an expat in Belgium (for renovations >25.000€).","link":{"url":"/en/individuals/borrowing/home/mortgage-expat"},"title":"Mortgage loan"},{"cardSize":"small","cardType":"product","componentType":"productCard","image":{"extension":"png","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/1caff0719d6a9860/original/MGM-friends2.png","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/1ddfbbd7-ff92-4273-9f9e-df013ed26d8c/MGM-friends2","type":"image","width":800},"intro":"Don’t keep ING More just for yourself. Invite your friends & family to join ING and earn up to €500*!","link":{"url":"https://www.ing.be/en/individuals/daily-banking/mgm-inviter-ao"},"title":"Invite your friends"}],"componentType":"cards"},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Need some guidance?"},{"cards":[{"cardSize":"small","cardType":"product","componentType":"productCard","image":{"extension":"jpg","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/40cd08b80b272fbc/original/prepare-arrival-1920.jpg","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/2671d9ca-bad7-4498-ad2a-60763c5fe6f8/prepare-arrival-1920","type":"image","width":1920},"intro":"Find here the expat checklist.","link":{"url":"/en/individuals/daily-banking/expats-prepare-arrival"},"title":"Are you moving soon to Belgium?"},{"cardSize":"small","cardType":"product","componentType":"productCard","image":{"altTextEN":"Young woman in yellow sweater reclining at her desk","altTextNL":"Jonge vrouw in een gele trui die achterover leunt op haar bureaustoel","extension":"jpg","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/338750d5943d38/original/Young-woman-in-yellow-sweater-reclining-at-her-desk.jpg","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/e7b0d98c-17a2-4146-b845-f95240bad2ec/Young-woman-in-yellow-sweater-reclining-at-her-desk","type":"image","width":1920},"intro":"Read our article to find out more","link":{"url":"/en/individuals/managing-my-assets/investment-academy/expat-tips-before-starting-to-invest"},"title":"what you need to know before you start investing"},{"cardSize":"small","cardType":"product","componentType":"productCard","image":{"extension":"jpg","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/28333e95fd866574/original/individual-pension-commitment-160-160.jpg","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/a753dd58-ede9-4f00-add8-87b3ece9b11f/individual-pension-commitment-160-160","type":"image","width":160},"intro":"Things to keep in mind","link":{"url":"/en/individuals/managing-my-assets/retirement/expat-build-up-pension"},"title":"How to build up your pension as an expat ?"},{"cardSize":"small","cardType":"product","componentType":"productCard","image":{"extension":"jpg","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/51d8c4bbc4b4d623/original/expats-moving-internationally-1920.jpg","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/7ead30de-7124-4324-8e97-12b8d0b602f4/expats-moving-internationally-1920","type":"image","width":1920},"intro":"Work out the cost of moving","link":{"url":"/en/individuals/daily-banking/expat-cost-moving-to-belgium"},"title":"Belgium Relocation ?"}],"componentType":"cards"}]},"contentType":"onecms:categoryPage","flexPageMetadata":{"afmBanner":false,"description":"New to Belgium? Discover how banking works for expats: salary, payments, insurance and managing money before and after arrival with ING.","robotInstruction":{"noFollow":false,"noIndex":false}},"flexZone":{"flexComponents":[{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Choose the right banking journey for life in Belgium"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"<p><strong>Where are you moving from? </strong>Choose the option that applies to you.</p>"}},{"cards":[{"cardSize":"small","cardType":"service","componentType":"serviceCard","image":{"extension":"svg","original":"https://assets.ing.com/asset/28c424f1-ffd4-42db-a78a-4fb9d3fbb046/Call-ING-phone-spot-1-1.svg","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/28c424f1-ffd4-42db-a78a-4fb9d3fbb046/Call-ING-phone-spot-1-1","type":"image","width":131},"intro":"Expats from France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands or Spain can often start their banking fully online via the ING Banking app, depending on their personal situation.","link":{"url":"/en/individuals/expat/online-onboarding-expats"},"linkText":"Open your account","title":"Start online before arrival (FR / DE / LU / NL / ES)"},{"cardSize":"small","cardType":"service","componentType":"serviceCard","image":{"extension":"png","original":"https://assets.ing.com/asset/34e13e1b-0a2c-4d1c-a875-c1d0dc2e38b7/INGWorldWideFunds.png","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/34e13e1b-0a2c-4d1c-a875-c1d0dc2e38b7/INGWorldWideFunds","type":"image","width":480},"intro":"Expats from outside these countries can also arrange their banking with ING. The process is adapted to nationality, residence status or professional situation.","link":{"url":"/en/individuals/expat/pack-more-expats"},"linkText":"Open a Belgian current account","title":"Process for expats from other countries"}],"componentType":"cards"},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Banking in Belgium, made easy for expats"},{"componentType":"productFeatures","highlighted":false,"image":{"altTextEN":"Woman moves with music","altTextNL":"Vrouw verhuisd met muziek","extension":"png","original":"https://assets.ing.com/asset/20381e15-8f16-4e59-ad9f-bdc37e3ae17a/Woman-music.png","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/20381e15-8f16-4e59-ad9f-bdc37e3ae17a/Woman-music","type":"image","width":345},"items":[{"title":"Prepare your banking even if you’re not yet in Belgium"},{"title":"Manage your finances anywhere with the ING Banking app"},{"title":"Access essential banking services in one place"},{"title":"Pay easily with Apple Pay or Google Pay"}]},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Frequently asked questions"},{"accordionList":[{"richBody":{"value":"<p><span><span>A <a data-type=\"internal\" href=\"/en/individuals/expat/pack-more-expats\">Belgian bank account</a> is not always legally mandatory, but in practice it is essential for everyday life in Belgium. Most employers require a Belgian <a data-type=\"internal\" href=\"/en/individuals/daily-banking/iban-bic-transfer-sepa\">IBAN</a> to pay your salary, landlords often expect local payments, and utilities, insurance and subscriptions are easier to manage with a local account.</span></span></p><p><span><span>That’s why most expats choose to open a Belgian bank account shortly after arriving, ensuring smooth payments from day one.</span></span></p>"},"title":"Is a Belgian bank account required for expats?"},{"richBody":{"value":"<p><span><span lang=\"en-US\" dir=\"ltr\">Banking for expats in Belgium includes all essential financial services you need when relocating for work or long</span><span lang=\"en-BE\" dir=\"ltr\">‑</span><span lang=\"en-US\" dir=\"ltr\">term stay. This usually means <a data-type=\"internal\" href=\"/en/individuals/expat/pack-more-expats\">opening a Belgian current account</a>, receiving your salary, paying rent and daily expenses, managing savings, and arranging insurance for life in Belgium.</span></span></p><p><span><span>With ING, expats benefit from a fully digital banking experience, allowing you to manage payments, cards and accounts easily via the ING app - often even before you are fully settled in Belgium.</span></span></p>"},"title":"What does banking for expats in Belgium include?"},{"richBody":{"value":"<p><span><span>Many expats start arranging their Belgian banking before moving to Belgium, especially when they already have a signed work contract. While final activation often happens after arrival and registration, preparing early helps avoid delays.</span></span></p>"},"title":"When should I start arranging banking as an expat in Belgium?"},{"richBody":{"value":"<p><span><span>Yes, in many cases expats can start opening a Belgian bank account remotely, depending on their nationality and personal situation. Final activation or full use of the account may require arrival in Belgium and completion of local registration steps.</span></span></p><p><span><span>ING makes this process easier with a streamlined online onboarding, allowing many expats to begin before arrival and complete everything once they are registered.</span></span></p>"},"title":"Can I open a Belgian bank account before moving to Belgium?"},{"richBody":{"value":"<p><span><span>One of the first financial steps after arriving in Belgium is opening a local bank account. This allows you to:</span></span></p><ul><li><span><span>Receive your salary</span></span></li><li><span><span>Pay rent and utilities</span></span></li><li><span><span>Manage everyday expenses easily</span></span></li></ul><p><span><span lang=\"en-US\" dir=\"ltr\">Many expats arrange their account alongside other settling</span><span lang=\"en-BE\" dir=\"ltr\">‑</span><span lang=\"en-US\" dir=\"ltr\">in steps such as local registration and setting up insurance, ensuring a smooth start to life in Belgium.</span></span></p>"},"title":"What are the first banking steps after moving to Belgium?"},{"richBody":{"value":"<p><span><span>Belgium’s official languages are Dutch, French and German, but many expats manage their banking comfortably in English, especially through digital channels.</span></span></p><p><span><span>The ING Banking app and online banking environment support English for key services, enabling expats to handle their finances confidently even if they do not speak a local language fluently.</span></span></p>"},"title":"Do I need to speak Dutch or French to use banking services in Belgium?"},{"richBody":{"value":"<p><span><span>Most expats start with an ING current account, which allows them to receive their salary and manage daily expenses easily. Over time, many expats also choose:</span></span></p><ul><li><span><span>A savings account to build a financial buffer</span></span></li><li><span><span>Insurance solutions tailored to life in Belgium</span></span></li><li><span><span>A credit card for travel, online purchases and everyday payments</span></span></li></ul><p><span><span>ING offers all these products in one place, making it easy for expats to grow their financial setup as their life in Belgium evolves.</span></span></p>"},"title":"Which banking products are most useful for expats in Belgium?"}],"componentType":"accordion"}]},"hasMacro":false,"id":"49d5fa23-4c6d-40f7-a255-f31fb5148c73","localeString":"en-GB","mainHeaderZone":{"componentType":"categoryHeader","coreHeader":{"subtitle":"When relocating for work or a long‑term stay, expats need a banking setup that supports everyday life in a new country.","title":"Banking for expats in Belgium"}},"publishDate":"2026-06-11T11:26:27.596+02:00"}}