Doing business in Belgium
Expats anticipating doing business in Belgium should make considerable preparations; the nation's multicultural and 
multilingual make-up has created a business ethos as varied as it's population distribution; it will be important to familiarise yourself with not just one, but multiple, business cultures.
The World Bank ranks Belgium in 25th place out of 183 countries for "Ease of Doing Business". Specific business criteria that Belgium ranks highly for include protecting investors, enforcing contracts and closing a business.
Business culture in Belgium can be confusing due to the nation's diversity. Matters are further complicated by the stark contrasts between the country's two predominate ethnic groupings, French (Wallonia region) and Flemish (Flanders region).
It is dangerous for expats doing business in Belgium to assume that the cultures of the different regions are interchangeable, as Belgian businesspeople will take offence to that.
Flemish business culture tends to follow the model of the hard-working German and Dutch-style, while the French business culture is similar to its namesake nation, and is considered less productive. If you are unsure which language group a business belongs to, you can generally judge based on the initials after the company name: NV or BVBA indicates Flemish, while SA or SPRL is a French business.
A trait shared by all business cultures in Belgium is an insistence on compromise, even when it doesn’t specifically benefit either party. Belgian businesspeople see ‘meeting halfway’ as a willingness to work together.
This expectation is mirrored in the strong union culture in Belgium, which creates many demands on businesses; a point expats should prepare for if starting their own business.
Business meetings in Belgium are conducted formally. Participants are expected to arrive punctually, and the meeting should be structured and efficient. Formal titles are used in Belgian business: with German and Flemish speakers using English terms (Mr, Mrs or Miss), and with French speakers use Monsieur, Madame or Mademoiselle.
When greeting a Belgian businessperson, a handshake is appropriate for both men and women.
The business culture in Belgium is very welcoming to foreigners. Some even say that the Flemish Belgians and French Belgians prefer to work with expats, rather than each other!
Starting a business in Belgium is a simple process, with only three procedures that take an average of four days to complete. Non-EU citizens need to apply for a professional card.
Business language: German, French and Flemish
Hours of Business: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm
Dress: formal, smart
Gifts: not expected, appropriate upon closing a deal
Gender Equality: Men and women are treated equally in business.
multilingual make-up has created a business ethos as varied as it's population distribution; it will be important to familiarise yourself with not just one, but multiple, business cultures.The World Bank ranks Belgium in 25th place out of 183 countries for "Ease of Doing Business". Specific business criteria that Belgium ranks highly for include protecting investors, enforcing contracts and closing a business.
Business culture in Belgium
Business culture in Belgium can be confusing due to the nation's diversity. Matters are further complicated by the stark contrasts between the country's two predominate ethnic groupings, French (Wallonia region) and Flemish (Flanders region).
It is dangerous for expats doing business in Belgium to assume that the cultures of the different regions are interchangeable, as Belgian businesspeople will take offence to that.
Flemish business culture tends to follow the model of the hard-working German and Dutch-style, while the French business culture is similar to its namesake nation, and is considered less productive. If you are unsure which language group a business belongs to, you can generally judge based on the initials after the company name: NV or BVBA indicates Flemish, while SA or SPRL is a French business.A trait shared by all business cultures in Belgium is an insistence on compromise, even when it doesn’t specifically benefit either party. Belgian businesspeople see ‘meeting halfway’ as a willingness to work together.
This expectation is mirrored in the strong union culture in Belgium, which creates many demands on businesses; a point expats should prepare for if starting their own business.
Business meetings in Belgium are conducted formally. Participants are expected to arrive punctually, and the meeting should be structured and efficient. Formal titles are used in Belgian business: with German and Flemish speakers using English terms (Mr, Mrs or Miss), and with French speakers use Monsieur, Madame or Mademoiselle.
When greeting a Belgian businessperson, a handshake is appropriate for both men and women.
Attitude to foreigners in Belgium
The business culture in Belgium is very welcoming to foreigners. Some even say that the Flemish Belgians and French Belgians prefer to work with expats, rather than each other!
Registering a business in Belgium
Starting a business in Belgium is a simple process, with only three procedures that take an average of four days to complete. Non-EU citizens need to apply for a professional card.
Doing business in Belgium: Fast facts
Business language: German, French and Flemish
Hours of Business: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm
Dress: formal, smart
Gifts: not expected, appropriate upon closing a deal
Gender Equality: Men and women are treated equally in business.
Dos and don’ts of business in Belgium
- DO be willing to compromise.
- DON’T be late.
- DO dress smart... Belgian businesspeople tend to be stylish.
- DON’T confuse cultural groups.
