- Belgium Guide
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- Top in Belgium
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Living Permits and Identity Cards
If you are planning to stay in Belgium for more than 90 days then you will need to change your residency status in the country. Rules and required documents vary depending on your nationality, profession and reasons for your protracted stay in Belgium. EU nationals are not required to apply for residence permits in Belgium. Non-EU nationals need to submit the following: 1) a notification of entry/presence within 10 working days following date of arrival. A “declaration of presence” will then be issued by the local authority and this will be good for a maximum of three months; 2) an application for residency within 3 months from the date of arrival in the country. Usually required documents will include reason for the stay, proof of adequate means to support oneself while in Belgium or the support of a Belgian citizen.
You also need an identity card, whether you are an EU or a non-EU national living in Belgium. Persons over 12 will be issued an electronic ID (eID) after registering at the local town hall, bringing all the pertinent documents including photos. All residents are required to carry this ID with them at all times.
Working in Belgium
EU nationals who move to Belgium are automatically vested with the right to work in the country. Non-EU nationals however will have a more difficult time with the employment process because potential employers are required by law to get an approval first from the local labor office before it can hire a non-EU national. Belgium also adheres to a “European Qualifications Framework” through which professional skills or competencies, as well as levels of education are recognized. For those with skills or trade that will not require employment by a private company will need to register their qualifications as well with the Chamber of Crafts and Trades in the village or city.
Belgium has a wealth of private recruitment agencies which can help facilitate the search for a potential employer. Some of the more reputable ones would have websites which you can visit, register an account with and use their facilities to advance your job search. Other means would be the major daily newspapers such as Le Soir, De Standaard, international publications such as Wall Street Journal or the Economist.
Other important things to consider before working in Belgium:
- Wages are not fixed by law but mostly by collective labor agreements. There are two mandated deductions on your gross pay: your Social Security contribution which is approximately 13.07% of your gross pay; and the Income tax deductions which vary according to your gross taxable income and other living circumstances (e.g. marital status, etc.)
- Working hours required under Belgian law is a maximum of eight per day, or 38 per week. Any deviation from this is arranged through the collective labour agreement or amendments in the labor regulation. Working on Sunday is prohibited by law.
Finding a Home in Belgium
You will not have a hard time looking for a place to rent in Belgium – choices are plenty, easy to find and relatively reasonably priced. Most of the rental units are unfurnished so be prepared to shell out extra money to outfit the place. Look for the “black and orange” signs that usually indicate the place is up for lease. Or you can hire a rental agency that will provide you a list of contact details for you to check on the units at your own time. Remember that aside from paying for the monthly basic rent on the unit, there will also be “common” charges for the services that are shared amongst neighbors. This includes maintenance and repair of common areas such as hallways and lobbies, cost of a building super or manager, and other shared utilities.
On the other hand if you’re in the market to buy a property in Belgium it is important to seriously consider the costs as well as the commitment required. In Belgium there are high transfer costs and securing a mortgage can be more than you can handle. There is also a high value-added tax levied on a property (currently at 21%). If you are prepared to make this financial commitment then it is wise to hire the services of an estate agent to help facilitate the process for you. You may end up paying more because of the commissions charged by the agent but it will help to have someone who knows the market and can negotiate a good price for you, as well as help you with the entire requirement you may be asked to secure the deal.
