Moving to Belgium

Belgium's immigration is managed at both federal and regional level. Work permits vary by region (Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels). The Single Permit combines work and residence.

Belgium has a highly regulated, well-protected labor market with strong unions, mandatory indexation of salaries to inflation, and extensive worker benefits. The job market is concentrated in Brussels (EU institutions, international organizations, multinationals), Antwerp (port, logistics, diamonds), and the Flemish cities (tech, manufacturing). EU institutions and NATO are major employers of international staff. Language determines access: Dutch in Flanders, French in Wallonia, and both (plus English) in Brussels.

Belgium's healthcare system is consistently rated among the best in the world for quality and access. It operates on a mandatory insurance model through mutualités/mutualiteiten (health insurance funds). Patients have free choice of doctor and specialist, with no gatekeeping required—you can see a cardiologist without a GP referral. The reimbursement system means you pay upfront (a GP visit costs around EUR 30, a specialist EUR 50-60) and claim back 75-85% from your health insurance fund. Major hospitals like UZ Brussel, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, UZ Leuven, and CHU de Liège provide excellent specialist and emergency care. Pharmacies are well-stocked and pharmacists can advise on minor ailments. Dental care is partially covered but can be expensive for complex work. Mental health services are increasingly accessible, with partial reimbursement for psychologist sessions. The main adjustment for newcomers is the reimbursement workflow: keeping receipts, submitting claims, and managing cash flow while waiting for repayment.

Belgium has functional but regionally fragmented digital systems. The federal government provides some unified platforms, but many services are split along linguistic and regional lines. Internet infrastructure is solid, with broadband widely available from providers like Proximus, VOO/Telenet, and Orange.

Belgian culture is built on compromise, modesty, and a dry, self-deprecating humor. Belgians do not boast, and they are suspicious of those who do. There is a strong sense of "village" even in cities—your local bakery, butcher, and cafe form a social network. The country has produced Tintin, the Smurfs, Magritte, and Stromae, blending surrealism into its national identity. Food is serious business: fries are served in paper cones with an array of sauces (not just ketchup), chocolate shops outnumber clothing stores in some neighborhoods, and the beer culture—with over 1,500 varieties, many brewed by Trappist monks—is UNESCO-recognized. Social life is organized around dinner parties at home rather than going out, and being invited to a Belgian's home is a genuine mark of friendship.

• •Beer is served in the specific glass designed for that brand. Ordering a Duvel and receiving it in the wrong glass is an offense to the bartender's professional pride.
• •Greeting customs vary by region: one cheek kiss (air kiss) is standard in Brussels and Wallonia; a firm handshake is more common in Flanders. Three kisses are reserved for special occasions.
• •Language sensitivity is real. Speaking French in a deeply Flemish area (or Dutch in Wallonia) can be met with coldness. In Brussels, starting in French or English is generally safe.
• •Sundays are quiet. Most shops are closed, and the culture respects rest. Plan your grocery shopping for Saturday.
• •Garbage sorting is strict and enforced: blue bags for PMD (plastic, metal, drink cartons), yellow for paper/cardboard, white for general waste, and green for food waste in some communes. Incorrect sorting can result in refused collection or fines.