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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, 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 the most outstanding selection of the world's finest brews, this diverse nation is warm and welcoming to anyone planning to settle here.
Living in Belgium as an expat
To a large extent, the country is split between two dominant culture groups, the Flemings and the Walloons. The Flemish community is Dutch-speaking, 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 fascinating.
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.
Expat families and children
With one of the world's highest living standards and excellent quality of life, expats moving to Belgium can take full advantage of its housing, healthcare, education and infrastructure. 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.
Cost of living in Belgium
There's a price to pay for all this, and the good life in Belgium incurs a high cost of living. That said, expats who can afford this high cost of living will undoubtedly have a unique and positive experience during their stay.
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.
Fast facts
Official name: Kingdom of Belgium
Population: 11.9 million
Capital city: Brussels
Other major cities: Antwerp, Ghent, Charleroi, Bruge and Liège
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.
Time: GMT+1 (+2 from the end of March to the end of October)
Electricity: 230 volts, 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.
Expat Interviews
"I think I most enjoy the randomness of Brussels. It is so different to where I live in England. There are people here from all over the world, speaking all sorts of languages and representing every culture and viewpoint you can think of. This makes it feel very vibrant. Quality of life is very good overall." For more of David's thoughts on settling in in Belgium, read his interview.
"Be gentle, learn the language if you have time, and just let the locals get used to you... It all comes together in the end." Read more of Di's advice for adapting to Belgium in her Expat Arrivals interview.
Are you an expat living in Belgium?
Expat Arrivals is looking for locals to contribute to this guide, and answer forum questions from others planning their move to Belgium. Please contact us if you'd like to contribute.
Expat Health Insurance
Cigna Global
If you’re thinking about taking out private health insurance, our trusted partner Cigna Global is very aware of all the difficulties that expats can face when it comes to healthcare in a new location, so they have created a range of international health insurance plans specifically designed for expats, which you can tailor exactly to the needs and ensure access to quality care for you and your family.
Moving Companies
Moving Internationally?
Sirelo has a network of more than 500 international removal companies that can move your furniture and possessions to your new home. By filling in a form, you’ll get up to 5 quotes from recommended movers. This service is free of charge and will help you select an international moving company that suits your needs and budget.