21 Secrets About Living In Belgium To Know Before Moving

Belgium: the nation with the best chocolatiers in the world; the ancestral home of French fries, and where you go to drink some of the strongest beer in the world. As an ex-pat living in Belgium, you will encounter plenty of chocolate, fries, and beer, but there is so much more to this western European country to discover!

For being such a small country (the fifth smallest country in the EU!) Belgium has a lot to offer, which you need to move there to fully experience. Although one of the top-ranked places to live in the world, Belgium can feel like a different world to that of the U.S., and takes a little while to get accustomed to how things run.

If you’re moving to Belgium, we’ve created this article of 21 secrets about the country to both help you prepare for your move, and also help you settle in once you’ve arrived.

Sections

1. Belgium consists of three separate regions

Belgium is split into 3 different regions – the Brussels Capital Region, the Flemish Region, and the Walloon Region – each of which has its own culture, politics, and language communities. The Brussels Capital Region is the smallest of the 3 – consisting of just the city of Brussels and its suburbs – and also the most multicultural.

The Flemish Region can be found in the North, is mostly Dutch language-speaking, and influenced by Dutch and West Germanic-influenced culturally. The Walloon Region in the South consists mainly of French speakers and has a romantic cultural identity.

2. They have three official languages

There is no such thing as a singular Belgian language or even a ‘Belgian language’ at all – this multicultural nature has three official languages – Dutch, French, and German. Belgium has a long and complicated ruling history, with territories controlled by its three neighbors – France, Germany, and the Netherlands – throughout history.

This history is evident today in the country’s three official languages.

3. The cost of living in Belgium

With a high standard of living comes a high cost of living. For an apartment outside the city center, you can expect your monthly rent to be around €625.40, with your basic monthly utilities costing approximately an additional €151.07 (according to Numbeo).

However, this is not as expensive as the country’s Dutch neighbors, and ex-pats will find living in the capital city of Brussels relatively inexpensive to the likes of Munich, Paris, and London. Public facilities, particularly buses, are very affordable, and food and drink can be bought cheaply – if you know where to look!

4. Belgian lifestyle and culture

Other than beer drinking, you can enjoy a diverse art scene, a booming theater, and the entertainment sector, especially in Brussels and Antwerp. Belgians like to involve themselves in a community, whether that is musical, theatrical, or an art movement.

There’s also a big historical preservation focus in Belgium, with more castles per square meter than any other country in the world.

5. The people and society

One thing that unites the three regions of Belgium is their general sociability, family values, and hard work ethic. They are a very proud nation and like to show this during their celebrations, particularly at their folkloric carnivals, such as the Carnival of Binche.

Belgians can also be described as self-disciplined and hard-working, but also allow themselves plenty of opportunities to enjoy the finer things in life, such as eating and drinking.

6. Food and drink in Belgium

Belgium has one of the proudest beer-drinking cultures in the whole of Europe, with a history-old penchant for stronger beers that you’re most likely used to drinking. Although most beers start a 6% ABV, don’t think the country is all about getting drunk – the culture is more focused on enjoying beers, and the unique flavors and brewing techniques that go into each type.

In terms of food, the cities have a big focus on fine cuisine, especially mussels, fancy mashed potatoes, and rabbit stew. In terms of street food, expect plenty of French fries and waffles.

7. The quality of life in Belgium

The United Nations ranks Belgium pretty high in terms of quality of life, based on its exceptional education, health care, and cultural facilities. The high-quality housing evident throughout the country also makes moving to Belgium an easy decision for many. Affordable housing is available to all, with sound architecture found in all parts of the country.

However, air pollution is noted as being particularly prevalent in most Belgian cities, which hurts the health of people who live there.

8. Tax rates in Belgium

Unfortunately, one drawback for foreign nationals living in Belgium is the country’s high tax rates. If you’re a foreigner living and working in Belgium, you’ll have to file returns and meet the demands of Belgian taxes.

For Belgian’s highest earners, personal income tax can be as high as 50% – this is one of the highest tax rates in the whole of Europe!

9. They offer a high standard of education

Whether you’re going to Belgium to study for yourself or enroll your kids in a Belgian school, you’ll be met with a high standard of education. Belgium regularly ranks amongst the top 10 countries for education, with students performing exceptionally well in subjects such as reading, mathematics, and science.

For further education, Belgium boasts several top-ranking universities, including KU Leuven and Ghent University.

10. Belgium is one of the biggest chocolate exporters in the world

The rumors are true: chocolate is ubiquitous throughout Belgium. With well over 500 individual chocolate companies found throughout the country, you can easily find craft chocolate on the streets of Brussels and Ghent.

Not only do these companies trade their products internally, but they also export in massive quantities, with Belgium frequently ranking as the number one exporter of chocolate in the world. Although this title is sometimes taken by Germany, Belgium took the lead in 2021, exporting $2.5 billion worth of chocolate.

11. The weather in Belgium

Like a lot of Western European countries, you never know what you’re going to get weather-wise in Belgium.

Generally, Belgium has a maritime climate, with mild summers and mild winters. However, you’ll need to pack plenty of waterproofs, with an average of 200 days of rain per year.

12. Belgium offers both universal and private health care

The social security system in Belgium includes universal health care, but the country also offers private healthcare. Regular fees are required to be paid into both health insurance types, both of which are exceptionally high in quality.

Most cities throughout the country have university hospitals, which provide equally high-quality healthcare.

13. Friendly and diverse culture

Comprising so many different cultures, Belgians are very tolerant of ex-pats and will welcome you into their diverse culture. They will likely show an interest in your background and make you feel at home as much as possible.

Plus, although it’s not one of their three main languages, most Belgians speak English – although, that’s no excuse not to learn one of their three languages while living there!

14. Getting around in Belgium

The main cities of Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp, and Charleroi each have their tram or metro systems, which you can easily hop on and off, and pay for using contactless transactions. Cities are connected through several high-speed rail providers.

One highlight of Belgium’s public transport is the Coast Tram, which takes travelers between the French and Dutch borders, passing by the North Sea coast.

15. Work culture in Belgium

Work culture is interesting in Belgium because, although they like to work, they also like to enjoy themselves – a lot.

Out of all European Union nations, they seem to have the work-life balance nailed down, with plenty of time reserved for recreational activities such as sport and leisure. However, when at work, they like to work hard to optimize their time.

Although they work 9-5, five days a week currently, many companies in Belgium are looking to adopt the four-day working week.

16. Crime rates are low

Besides the odd petty crime such as incidents of pickpocketing and mugging, crime rates are relatively low in Belgium.

However, like anywhere, it’s important to exert caution when living abroad and watch your belongings in touristic areas, which is where most crime in Belgium takes place.

17. They are a multicultural country

Belgium can sometimes feel like several different countries in one, and you’ll notice the nuances as you travel between regions. Besides the main three cultural groups, Belgium has large Italian, Moroccan, and Romanian communities, each of which adds to the dense culture of the country.

18. Politics and government

Belgium has a royal family as its head of state, which is currently headed by King Philippe of Belgium. Executive power is exercised by the government, with two chambers of legislation, the Chamber of Representatives and the Senate.

Politics is defined by the three regions of Belgium, and legislative power is also divided on a national, regional, and community level. Because of this political divide, politics in Belgium is described as complex, bureaucratic, and even chaotic. Belgium recently went two years without a government as a result of its complexities.

Belgium is the unofficial capital of the European Union, with Brussels being home to the Berlaymont building, which is the headquarters of the European Commission, and several other EU buildings.

19. Career opportunities for ex-pats in Belgium

If you’ve got a work permit, there are several jobs available for both EU and non-EU citizens in Belgium. The main employment sectors in Belgium are tourism, media, financial, and legal. With Belgium’s wide selection of restaurants and bars, many ex-pats end up working in hospitality.

If you’re a skilled worker, there are plenty of career opportunities in engineering, project management, architecture, accountancy, and healthcare.

20. Public holidays in Belgium

There are ten nationwide public holidays in Belgium, which include:

New Year’s Day (1st January)
Easter Monday
Labor Day (1st May)
Ascension Day
Whit Monday
Belgium National Day (21st July)
Assumption Day (15th August)
All Saints’ Day (1st November)
Armistice Day (11th November)
Christmas Day (25th December)

There are also some regional public holidays throughout Belgium, including the Day of the Flemish Community (11th July), the Day of the French-Speaking Community (27th September), and the Day of the German-Speaking Community (15th November).

21. Belgium is a very family-friendly country to live in

With a strong education system, plenty of cultural facilities, and exceptional healthcare, Belgium is a great place to raise a family in. Many of the city municipalities are safe for kids to play in, and there are plenty of international schools available. In cities such as Brussels, there are plenty of parks, many of which boast tennis and basketball courts.

In the countryside, there are plenty of beautiful lakes, dense forests, and attractive coastlines, all of which are great for family day trips. On top of this, Belgium is also proud of its two national parks: Hoge Kempen National Park and De Zoom–Kalmthoutse Heide. If your family loves adventure, there are plenty of excursion options throughout the country.

FAQs

How do I get a long-term visa for Belgium?

You can apply for a Belgian long-term visa or a residence permit at your home country’s Belgian embassy.

Why is Brussels considered the de facto capital of the European Union?

Brussels is considered the capital of the European Union because it contains the seat of the European Commission and one of the European Parliament seats.

Do EU citizens need a visa for Belgium?

EU citizens do not need a visa to stay in Belgium for leisure or work purposes. This includes EEA countries (Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein). Nationals of the non-EU countries will require visas if you’re planning on staying for longer than 90 days.

If you’re moving to Belgium from the U.S., you will need a long-term visa.

Why was the Belgian Constitution amended four times?

The Belgian constitution was amended four times between 1970 and 1993 to keep the three separate regions amiable with one another.

Final Thoughts

Belgium is not only the heart of the EU, but it is also a meeting point for many different European cultures. Living in Belgium can feel like a crossroads between French, German, and Dutch customs, which makes for a fascinating experience for expatriates.

However, don’t go unprepared; ex-pat life in Belgium will be a lot easier if you get familiar with the cultural differences before arriving!