You won’t get far if your paperwork is not in order. And these formalities take time. Here are the most important ones:
It can also be useful to:
Good to know! Find out in advance about how long these formalities will take and anticipate them. You will avoid any setbacks.
"}},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Tip","richBody":{"value":"Register as soon as possible with the consulate of your country of origin in Belgium. The consulate can often help with your administrative formalities. It can also be of great assistance if problems arise. For example, the French consulate can put its nationals in contact with specialist lawyers, sworn translators or some medical specialists. Consulates and embassies also organise ‘welcome cocktail parties’ for expats, the perfect way to build new ties when you arrive.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"2. Move to Belgium"},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Find accommodation","richBody":{"value":"Several accommodation options are available to you depending on how long you’re going to be living in Belgium and your own preferences:
Depending on the accommodation you choose, you will need to find suppliers of water, gas, electricity, internet, mobile telephony, etc. Check which ones you will need and get on to it as soon as possible!
You will also need insurance for your home. At ING, for example, tailor-made fire insurance for owners or tenants is available to protect you against any possible damage during your stay in Belgium (fire, water ingress, flooding, etc.). This insurance covers your personal belongings in such circumstances (furniture, clothing, computers, etc.).
"}},{"componentType":"highlight","richBody":{"value":"The services of a relocator, a relocation agency, can be of great help for your expatriation. These professionals support you with all you need to do and help you make the right choices. Check with your employer whether you can benefit from such a service and what exactly it includes. You can also call on such a service yourself.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"3. Healthcare"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"You have two options: private education or public education. In both cases, you will need to organise this well in advance to avoid being stuck on a waiting list and ensure everything is ready for the start of the school year.
International private schools offer a cosmopolitan setting and a range of language options. Your child will probably be among other expat children.
The Regions control public schools in Belgium. Education is generally in French in Wallonia and in Dutch in Flanders, while both possibilities exist in Brussels since the capital is bilingual. Your child would then be in a more ‘typically Belgian’ context, i.e. he or she will be among Belgian children and will discover local customs and practices at school.
In both private and public schools, waiting lists can be long if the school is in great demand. If you do this early and keep several possible options open, you will get off to a great start.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"5. Social life in Belgium"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Moving abroad means moving away from family, friends and colleagues. This can cause you to feel a little disoriented. Having a rewarding social life in Belgium will help you make a success of your expatriation. The good news is that Belgium is a very friendly country on a human level and there are numerous opportunities to make new acquaintances!
Beyond that, here is how you can have a richer social life in Belgium:
Good to know! Belgium hosts a large number of expats, which means that bars, restaurants and sports clubs are completely used to serving people from abroad.
"}},{"componentType":"highlight","title":"Tip","richBody":{"value":"Before you leave, file a final tax return in your country of origin and apply in Belgium to be taxed as a resident.
"}}]},"complementaryZone":{"flexComponents":[{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Also interesting!"},{"componentType":"cards","cards":[{"componentType":"articleCard","cardType":"article","cardSize":"medium","title":"Moving to Belgium","body":"Tips for expats","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/7ead30de-7124-4324-8e97-12b8d0b602f4/expats-moving-internationally-1920","type":"image","width":1920,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/51d8c4bbc4b4d623/original/expats-moving-internationally-1920.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"date":"2022-06-29","link":{"url":"/en/individuals/my-life/studies-and-work/expat-install-in-belgium"}},{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"Home Insurance for tenants","intro":"Insurer : NN Non-Life","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/0724435c-0893-4e31-a5a8-0d30e998b4b3/Flatmates-in-the-kitchen-chatting-as-they-make-coffee","type":"image","width":5700,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/7dc4a60630fca249/original/Flatmates-in-the-kitchen-chatting-as-they-make-coffee.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"link":{"url":"/en/individuals/insurance/insure-my-home/home-insurance-tenants"},"promoText":"15% discount on 1st year","promotionalLabel":{"labelType":"commercial","body":"Offer"}}]}]}}}