Moving to Belgium

Living in Belgium as an expat

Located in the heart of the continent and housing the headquarters of the European Union and NATO in its capital, Belgium is a melting pot of influences from around the world. As a result, expats moving to Belgium are sure to find that it is one of Europe's most diverse and fascinating countries.

Belgium is rich in both cultural history and cultural pleasures. What wine is to France, beer is to Belgium. With a reputation for gastronomy and an outstanding selection of the world's finest brews, Belgium is a diverse nation that is warm and welcoming to anyone planning to settle here.

Brussels is the political powerhouse of Europe with its historic Gothic buildings and European Union office blocks. Outside the thriving capital lies picturesque countryside, the wooded gorges of the Ardennes, and an assortment of undiscovered lazy seaside towns.

Brussels City Guide
Antwerp City Guide

Working in Belgium

Belgium is a fantastic destination for career progression, especially for expats in the fields of services, manufacturing, engineering, and technology. With Brussels being the home of major European organisations, including the EU and NATO headquarters, there are plenty of opportunities to be found.

Finding a Job and Working in Belgium
Business Culture in Belgium

Belgian culture

To a large extent, Belgium is split between two dominant culture groups: the Flemings and the Walloons. The Flemish community is Dutch speaking and is primarily based in the north of the country in Flanders and constitutes around half of the Belgian population. 

The French-speaking Walloons live in the south and east of the country in Wallonia, making up around a third of the populace. There is also a smaller German-speaking population in the eastern part of the country, near the border with Germany.

All three of these languages are officially recognised, and while they may be predominant in certain areas, the Belgian capital is legally bilingual. This infiltrates every aspect of daily life in Brussels, from street signs to business dealings. This unique mix of cultures is one of the most challenging aspects to come to terms with but also one of the most interesting.

Local Culture in Belgium

Cost of living in Belgium

Living in Belgium comes with a significant cost, and the good life in Belgium incurs a high cost of living. This means that expats need to be prepared for higher expenses in various aspects of their daily lives. From housing and transport to groceries and entertainment, the prices tend to be steeper than in many other countries.

The country's robust economy and stable job market can help offset the expenses for expats who can secure well-paying employment. Expats in Belgium who are able to embrace the higher cost of living can expect to enjoy an excellent standard of living in return.

Cost of Living in Belgium

Living in Belgium with children

With one of the world's highest living standards and high quality of life, Belgium offers expat families an attractive array of top-quality housing, healthcare, education, and infrastructure. There are also plenty of exciting activities and attractions geared specifically towards kids, so there'll always be something to keep the little ones busy.

Finding a school in Belgium

Belgium's education system is well known for being free of charge and offering exceptional standards. Language and cultural barriers can be challenging, though, so many expats in Belgium opt for international schools instead. These allow expat children to continue learning in a familiar language and curriculum, which eases their transition. Additionally, some international schools offer globally recognised curricula like the International Baccalaureate, making them ideal for expat families that are always on the move.

Best International Schools in Brussels
Education and Schooling in Belgium

Getting around in Belgium

Belgium has a high-quality public transport system and a highly developed and incredibly dense motorway network, which links it with other European routes and facilitates access to neighbouring countries. In a few hours by train, you could be in Paris, London, or Amsterdam.

Getting around from city to city within the country is also easy, while inner-city travel is a snap in Brussels thanks to the well-integrated bus, tram and metro system. Public transport can get crowded, so some people prefer to drive. Do be aware if you take this route, you'll have to contend with the seemingly ever-present traffic in Brussels.

National and International Transport in Belgium
Getting Around in Brussels

Climate in Belgium

The weather in Belgium is not one of the country's selling points. Though not necessarily unpleasant, light rain is fairly constant throughout the year and can be a bit inconvenient. To reduce the risk of being caught off guard, carrying a small umbrella in case of sudden showers is a good idea.

Those not fond of heat will surely enjoy the mildness of Belgian summers, with temperatures hovering around 72°F (22°C). Winters can be chilly, with temperatures ranging from just above freezing to around 39°F (4°C), and there may be snowfall.

Climate Charts for Belgium

With its rich cultural heritage, gastronomic delights and exceptional quality of life, Belgium beckons expats seeking new horizons. The country's multiculturalism presents both challenges and captivating experiences, and its central location offers easy access to other European destinations. All in all, for those ready to embrace its diverse culture and bask in its high quality of life, moving to Belgium promises expats an immensely rewarding and enriching journey.

Fast facts

Official name: Kingdom of Belgium

Population: 11.8 million

Capital city: Brussels

Neighbouring countries: Belgium is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the south and France to the west.

Geography: Belgium is a small Western European country with three main geographic regions: the northwest coastal plain, the central plateau and the Ardennes. The Ardennes is a heavily forested, rocky plateau in southern Belgium. The rest of the country has a rather flat landscape, with a few natural lakes and many artificial waterways and canals.

Political system: Federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Main languages: Dutch, French, German, English

Major religions: Christianity

Currency: The Euro (EUR) is the official currency and is divided into 100 cents. It's fairly easy for expats to open a bank account in Belgium, provided they have the necessary paperwork.

Time: GMT+1 (+2 from the end of March to the end of October)

Electricity: 230V, 50Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are used.

International dialling code: +32

Internet domain: .be

Emergency number: 112

Transport and driving: Cars drive on the right-hand side of the road. The country has an excellent public transport system, including trains, trams, and buses which connect various cities and regions in Belgium. Expats can generally get by without having to own a car.