Survival Guide BE 2014

YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO LIVING IN BELGIUM

EXPAT 4 1 0 2 E D I U G SURVIVAL al security. roviders; Soci p n o ti ca lo e ermits; R esidence p |R nt agencies.

N IO T A C t; Recruitme O n e ym REL lo p m E sion; ork permits; et and televi ding a job; W rn in te F

| in , S e n B o h O J tilities; Telep etting up u ; Libraries; Embassies. |S IN G IN L ers SETT Main provid

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLUS DAILY BELGIAN NEWS IN ENGLISH VISIT WWW.EXPATICA.BE

INTRODUCTION

VLERICK?

A BUSINESS SCHOOL OFFERING WORLD-CLASS MANAGEMENT EDUCATION IN BRUSSELS • Top-ranked in the Benelux by the Financial Times • Campuses in Brussels, Gent, Leuven, St Petersburg • 50 faculty members, 12 different nationalities • Network of 17,000 alumni in more than 100 countries

WWW.VLERICK.COM

WELKOM, BIENVENUE AND WILLKOMMEN TO BELGIUM! Moving abroad is an exciting, life-changing experience. That is, once the practical aspects are settled.

It can first feel a bit daunting when you have to build a new life in an unknown language and culture.

Where do you begin?

The Expat Survival Guide assists those first essential steps: finding a home and job, organising visas and finances, or enrolling your child(ren) in school.

It offers practical information on getting started in the Netherlands and directs you to the people, companies and institutions that can help you along the way. Even if you’ve been here a number of years, you may need the services of a housing agent, currency trader, immigration consultant, or more.

As the growing pangs subside, our online site www.expatica.com complements this guide with relevant news in English, weekly features on expat life, and essential lifestyle information for getting out in Belgium. You’ll find plenty of support with our housing and job searches, ask-the-expert section, free classifieds, A-Z listings, events, dating, and a thriving online community.

2 > INTRODUCTION 6 > SURVIVAL CHECKLIST 8 > RELOCATION: Residence permits; Relocation

providers; Social security; Marriage and divorce.

14 > HOUSING: Should you rent or buy?; Finding a

home; Renting; Buying; Accommodation agencies; Where to live.

24 > FINANCE: Banking; Taxation; Insurance.

34 > EDUCATION: Education system; International

schools; Higher education.

52 > JOBS: Finding a job; Work permits;

Employment; Recruitment agencies.

54 > HEALTH: Healthcare system; Hospitals;

Fitness clubs.

61 > SHOPPING: Shopping guide; Food from

home.

63 > OUT AND ABOUT: Bars; Cinemas; Weekend

breaks.

68 > SETTLING IN: Setting up utilities; Telephone,

internet and television; Main providers; Embassies; Libraries.

ENJOY LIVING IN BELGIUM!

72 > TRANSPORT: Public transport; Driving and

The Expatica Team

parking.

This guide is published by Expatica.com, a leading media organisation providing a complete resource for international living.

Published January 2014 Expatica Communications B.V. Wilhelminastraat 15 2011 VH Haarlem Netherlands expaticaservice@expatica.com--www.expatica.com Editorial: Casey Marriott Layout & design: Benjamin Langman Publisher: Antoine van Veldhuizen Advertising sales: sales@expatica.com Distribution: survivalguide@expatica.com

76 > LISTINGS: Expat groups and clubs;

Religious services; Emergency numbers.

78 > ADVERTISERS INDEX

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publisher. Requests for permission should be addressed to Expatica Communications BV, Wilhelminastraat 15, 2011VH Haarlem, the Netherlands.

Expatica makes great effort to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this guide. However, we do not take responsibility for errors or omissions or any damages, howsoever caused, which result from its use, and make no warranty of claims as to the quality or competence of businesses or professionals mentioned. Users are advised to take care when selecting professional services and to use common sense when adjusting to new situations in a new country.

BELGIUM EXPAT SURVIVAL GUIDE 2014 | WWW.EXPATICA.COM

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INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

Belgium’s multicultural society provides the perfect backdrop to living abroad.

People often think that life as an expat is a glamorous, or at least adventurous, existence.

It’s imagined we flit from cultural experiences to language classes, from making friends with interesting locals to eating exotic foods.

And, on the surface, Belgium sounds like it could offer these attractions in spades. It’s the home of the EU, a short trip to a number of international capitals, and has three official languages (French, Dutch and German) and a sizeable international community. Beyond that, it’s also famous for fries, Tintin, chocolate, and beer. How could living in such a place not be a fantastic experience?

Well, as you well know, life as an international is a little more challenging than what is often assumed. As expats, we’re more likely to be at the supermarket than an art gallery, commuting rather than philosophising, or enrolling kids in school rather than enrolling in language lessons.

And these challenges are multiplied as we strive to do all these things across cultural, legal and, in Belgium, sometimes multiple language barriers.

This Belgium Survival Guide takes from Expatica’s years of experience helping internationals set up their lives in a new country. Here are some of the highlights of living in the country as well as things to consider as you begin, or continue, your Belgian adventure.

BELGIUM IS ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO LIVE FOR EXPATS Belgium consistently scores well in all the main indicators of good living.

Belgium has a high life standard, with the average household wealth almost double the OECD average. Besides that, the international presence in Brussels is second only to New York, with some 1,500 institutions employing around 3,000 diplomats, and a base of more than 2

2,000 European headquarters of multi-national organisations.

For those coming to Belgium for a limited period, there is no shortage of furnished apartments, or so-called ‘aparthotels’. In Brussels, there is a wide choice of rented and owner-occupied housing, both within the city’s 19 communes and in the suburbs, ranging from studio apartments to villas. Further afield, there’s an equally wide choice of property in more rural residential areas, and growing expat communities in Belgium’s other main centres, which are covered in this guide under the Housing section.

Belgium has an excellent standard of healthcare, too. The latest OECD figures rate Belgium with the third highest density of hospital beds per 1000 inhabitants, out of all the OECD countries.

High quality medical care is widely available, enhanced by large university hospitals. It’s also considered cheaper than the US, and shorter waiting times means Belgium is becoming a hotspot for medical tourism from surrounding countries.

It’s also relatively affordable. Brussels, where many expats choose to base themselves, is cheaper than other Western European capitals such as Paris, London, Amsterdam, Vienna, and Prague, according to Mercer’s Cost of Living rankings for 2012. On top of that, the country boasts a good public transport system with a smooth-running integrated network of busses, metros and trams.

BELGIUM IS A GREAT COUNTRY TO EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY When it comes to eating establishments, the country is proud of the choice and quality of its restaurants. Brussels alone has 18 Michelin star restaurants, ranking it among the top European cities with the most Michelin stars.

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SURVIVAL CHECKLIST

But it’s not just highbrow dining that the Belgians excel in. According to a 2012 survey

by VirtualTourist.com, Brussels was the only Western European city in the top 10 destinations in the world for street food.

Belgium is unlikely to disappoint on the cultural and entertainment front. Besides impressive museums, a lively theatre scene, and some of the most picturesque historical towns in Europe, Belgium has more castles per kilometre than any other country in the world. There is also a number of colourful festivals, not least the folkloric, UNESCO-recognised Carnaval, held early in the year.

If you’re a beer drinker, you’ll find yourself in the capital of great beer. All major cities and towns have bars of all types, from trendy lounges to old Flemish hostelries serving an array of the besttasting and most interesting beers in the world.

In fact, in Belgium, beer is even a ‘religious’ affair, with Trappist monks having brewed and sold their own beer for centuries.

BELGIUM IS A TERRIFIC PLACE TO RAISE CHILDREN Expats with young families will be happy to know that the country has one of Europe’s most extensive childcare networks, with a high percentage of young children attending organised daycare, rated as high quality and decently priced.

The Belgian educational system generally offers parents a huge choice, including a range of international and language schools. Check our Education channel on Expatica.com for a comprehensive guide to schooling. Another useful group is the not-for-profit Brussels Childbirth Trust (02 215 3377), an organisation for expats that offers advice and arranges meeting groups and support for both parents and their babies and/or children.

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BUT WHAT’S THE DOWNSIDE? By all key indicators, Belgium is a great place to live. But it’s not all sugar-coated waffles, similar to anywhere.

The first is the weather. An old Belgium joke says that the country has great weather – about 20 times a day. There is a significant amount of rain all year round and that can be frustrating.

But it can also be overstated – if you are from the UK you’ll be happy to hear that Belgium does actually have less average annual rainfall, according to the World Bank.

Second, due to a complex system of government, relationships between the different language groups and a talent for overcomplicating things, the country’s bureaucracy can be very challenging.

But if you find the challenge of understanding the differences between region, language and ethnicity complicated, you’re not alone. A few years ago the soon-to-be prime minister of Belgium sung the first line of the French national anthem – after being asked to sing the first line of the national anthem in French. Oops.

CONCLUSION A combination of a high standard of living, a great international community, schools and other organisations, and an excellent array of choices for dining, entertainment and travel means that Belgium more than holds its own against other major expat destinations. With your Expatica Survival Guide in hand, you can be equipped to take full advantage of the many opportunities Belgium has to offer.

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INTRODUCTION

LOST IN BRUSSELS ?

Contact the free expat helpdesk of the Europe.Brussels Liaison Ofce Our helpdesk offers a free, front-line help service for any practical or legal problems that may arise during your stay in Brussels.

Don’t hesitate to call or mail our experienced team for personal assistance.

Av. d’Auderghem 63 Oudergemlaan - B 1040 Brussels

blbe@blbe.be – T +32 (0)2 280 00 80

www.blbe.be

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SURVIVAL CHECKLIST

Before the fun of exploring begins, there are some essential tasks to get through when you first land in Belgium.

Use this checklist alongside the information set out in this Expat Survival Guide to help simplify starting a new life in Belgium. More information is provided on www.expatica.com.

REPORT TO IMMIGRATION You should register with your local commune in the first week of arrival. This will kick-start the necessary processes for legal residence and to get the relevant ID card for your stay in Belgium. Get ready for paperwork and make sure your documents have all the right stamps and translations. If you’re not sure which permit you need, we provide a quick overview on page 10.

EXPAT BENEFITS Find out if you are eligible for the special expatriate tax exemption, particularly if you are temporarily assigned to work in Belgium. Information on the Belgian tax system is detailed in our Finance section.

OPEN A BELGIAN BANK ACCOUNT It is handy to have a Belgian bank account because some places don’t accept alternative cards.

Opening a Belgian bank account will require your passport or residence ID, and proof of address.

FIND A HOME Our Housing section will help you decide whether to rent or buy, and offers tips on where to live in Belgium and mortgage options for expats. Due to the peculiarities of the Belgian rental market, longterm contracts can actually be more flexible than short-term ones. See page 14.

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HOME BASICS After finding your home, you’ll need to sort out a broadband connection and water, electricity and gas services. We list the major suppliers in the Settling in section on pages 68–70.

EDUCATION Should you send your child to a local or international school? What learning opportunities are available to expats? Get the lowdown on education in Belgium on page 34.

JOB HUNTING Read page 52 to first see if you need a work permit for Belgium. Once you have your permit (or don’t need one), our job-hunting tips and information on Belgian labour law will help you get started.

HEALTH Did you know it is mandatory for residents to register with a health insurance scheme in order to get a health card and compensation? Do you know what to do in an emergency or how to find a hospital, doctor or dentist? Our Health section guides you through the Belgian healthcare system.

GETTING AROUND Under the Transport section, you can find out about driving rules and regulations in Belgium, if you can exchange your driving licence, and how the Belgian public transport system works.

MEETING THE COMMUNITY If you’re finding everything a little overwhelming, take heart: many others have been in the same position and made it through! Get out there, get active, and read about groups, clubs and places at the end of this guide to help you make new friends.

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RELOCATION

RESIDENCE PERMITS

Many administration functions are carried out by the local communes.

Belgium is run on a local level by communes, through which most administrative functions are carried out. The country currently has 589 communes, the result of an amalgamation exercise in 1975. It might sound like a sizeable number, but it is far from the 2,739 communes that existed when the Belgian State was created in 1831.

Since 1975, immigration into Belgium has been heavily weighted towards professional workers and those with higher levels of education, as well as students and professional sports players.

Belgium has since become one of the EU countries with the highest naturalisation rates.

Reforms that made the conditions for citizenship easier and shorter have encouraged integration since 2000, not least with EEA movement agreements and family reunification permits.

Depending on your nationality, or that of family living in Belgium, you will be required to undertake certain registration procedures after you arrive by visiting your local commune. This will kick-start the necessary processes for legal residence and to get the relevant identity card for your stay in Belgium.

EU/EEA/SWISS NATIONALS

All Swiss and EEA nationals (EU plus Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway) may live freely in Belgium, but EEA nationals need to have a ‘melding van aanwezigheid’ (notification of presence), plus a registration certificate if planning to stay more than 90 days. The process for Swiss nationals is slightly different, of which the local commune can advise.

All EEA/Swiss nationals should visit the local town hall or maison communale/gemeentehuis where they are residing with a passport or identity card, within 10 working days of arriving.

Although citizens from EEA countries have free movement within EEA members states, this procedure is necessary to put you in the foreign population register.

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Long-term visa requests are dealt with by the Belgian Immigration Office of the Interior Federal Public Service – the sole authority with final jurisdiction. For your registration certificate, you may also be asked to present: • Identity card or passport.

• Three passport photos.

• Proof of means of support, usually in the form of an employment contract or letter from your employer (attestation patronale/verklaring van de werkgever).

• Belgian residence address.

• Medical insurance.

Depending on your circumstances, you might need to show copies of birth certificates and a marriage certificate, or an employment contract (applicable for Romanian, Bulgarian and Croatian nationals in some communes).

Once registered, the municipality will provide you with an electronic foreigners card (la carte électronique pour étrangers/Elektronische vreemdelingenkaart). This E-card isn’t a residence visa, but shows that the person has been included in the national register, and is normally valid for five years. It is not just foreigners who are issued identity cards – everyone living in Belgium over the age of 12 is required to have one, and must always carry it after turning 15 years old.

NON-EEA/SWISS NATIONALS

Before arriving, the first point of reference is the Belgian consular authority for your country.

All non-Swiss/EEA nationals staying longer than 90 days must apply for a longer stay visa (type D) before coming to Belgium. Certain non-EEA nationals who have family members who are EEA citizens can enter Belgium just using their passport; the consulate authority can advise you.

After arriving, everyone is obliged to register at the local municipality within eight days to apply for their residence permit. You and your family must register at the municipality town hall in person, which will include you in the foreign population register. Depending on the commune, you may prefer to take someone who speaks the local language.

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Your long-stay visas will be handled by the Foreigners Department. Once they have approved your request you must also submit your passport to the FPS Foreign Affairs (Rue des Petits Carmes 27, 1000 Brussels – Monday to Friday, 9:30 – 11:30). A fee may be payable (usually EUR 30), and some communes may require cash. After the first visit, you will get a receipt but not a card at this time.

Residence visas for non-Swiss/EEA nationals are restricted to purposes such as study, work (if a work permit is in hand) and family reunification (including partners). As such, depending on the commune, you may be asked to produce: • Identity card or passport.

• Up to four passport photographs.

• Medical certificate signed by a doctor recognised by the Belgian Embassy.

• Certificate of good conduct (criminal history record) covering the last five years, issued by the police authorities of your last country of residence.

• Work permit.

• Proof of means of support, usually in the form of an employment contract or letter from your employer (attestation patronale/verklaring van de werkgever).

• Belgian residential address.

• Visa (if applicable).

• Copy of the rental agreement.

• Legalised marriage licence (if relevant).

• Copy of your birth certificate.

• Copies of your children’s birth certificates (if applicable).

• Copy of marriage certificate.

Once a series of checks have been carried out and your request approved, a certificate of registration in the foreigners register (E-card A) will then be delivered to you. It is valid for up to one year, although it can depend on some factors, such as the duration of your work permit.

It can later be renewed for up to one year.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The municipality contacts the police, who visit to check that your name is on the door of the address you gave. If their report checks out, EEA citizens get an invitation to collect a temporary three-month card. Once further checks of employment or self-employment and registration with the relevant social security

scheme have been carried out, in due course you will get a permanent five-year card (carte de sejour/verblijfskaart). Family members of EEA nationals will also receive a five-year card.

Non-EU citizens will get an annually renewable proof of registration for foreigners (Certification d’Inscription dans le Registre des Etrangers/ Bewijs van Inschrijving in het Vreemdelingen Register). Your foreigner identity card is associated with your address so if you move to a new permanent residence, you must also apply for a new card within eight days of moving.

When your card is due to expire, you need to report again to the Foreigner’s Office at your local town hall for a renewal, which it is suggested you start six weeks in advance.

Visa conditions can be found on the relevant government webpages: www.diplomatie.belgium.be | www.dofi.ibz.be.

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RELOCATION

RELOCATION PROVIDERS

Relocation companies can take the hassle out of moving country.

RELOCATION COMPANIES Interdean | 02 757 9285 Jan Baptist Vinkstraat 9, B-3070 Kortenberg www.interdean.com | brussels@interdean.com

ABC Relocation | 02 767 2996 Sterrebeeklaan 81, 3080 Tervuren www.abcrelocation.com

Brilliant Relocation Centre | 03 605 0650 Belcrownlaan 23, B-2100 Antwerpen www.brc-relocation.com | info@brc-relocation.com

Brussels Relocation | 02 353 2101 Clos du Vieux Moulin 34, 1410 Waterloo www.brussels-relocation.com brussels.relocation@skynet.be

NOVA Group | 02 2785 0985 Bosdellestraat 120, Box 8, BE-1933 Zaventem www.novagrp.eu | info@novagrp.eu

FRS–Foreign Relocation Service | 02 253 2005 Av Herrmann Debroux 15B - 1160 Brussels www.frs-relocation.com

Be Welcome | 03 449 56 98 Reepkenslei 52, 2550 Kontich www.bewelcome.be | www.culturaltraining.be tine.soers@bewelcome.be | marc.vanhoof@bewelcome.be

EZ-Relocation | 03 385 4672 Hazendreef 9, 2900 Schoten (Antwerp Area) www.ez-relocation.com | info@ez-relocation.com

Do It 4 Me | 02 513 4513 Square de Meeûs 22A/B, 1050 Brussels www.doit4me.be | info@doit4me.be Art of Living | 02 653 0037 Avenue Ernest Solvay 59, 1310 La Hulpe www.artofliving.be | artofliving@artofliving.be Caroline Driesen Relocation Consultancy | 0474 27 0966 Rue Henri Wafelaerts 19, 1060 Brussels www.carolinedriesen.com | info@carolinedriesen.com GMC Relocation 0476 28 7966 | 0477 75 85 00 www.gmc-relocation.com | info@gmc-relocation.com Map Relocations | 02 658 8080 Brusselsesteenweg 321, B-3090 Overijse www.map-relocations.com | contact@map-relocations.com

Aurora Relocation | 03 385 4672 www.auroravastgoed.be | info@auroravastgoed.be Transworld International | 02 687 5090 Cl. Vanophemstraat 78, B-3090 Overijse www.transworld.be | info@transworld.be Team Relocations | 0489 47 4100 Leuvensesteenweg 518, 1930 Zaventem www.teamrelocations.com

MOVING COMPANIES Transworld International | 02 687 5090 Cl. Vanophemstraat 78, B-3090 Overijse www.transworld.be | info@transworld.be Ziegler Brussels | 02 422 2299 Rue Dieudonné Lefèvre 160, 1020 Brussels www.ziegler.be | info_ziegler@zieglergroup.com

Am&pm | 016 58 9490 Octogoon Building, Interleuvenlaan 5, 3001 Leuven www.am-pm.be | arlet@am-pm.be

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RELOCATION

Relocating to Belgium, a new environment …

Be Welcome provides professional services for the expat and the company, covering all aspects of relocation in all regions in Belgium and internationally.

Our highly dedicated, personal approach will make the expat and his family feel at home!

Be Welcome offers support in : Relocation and expatriate services including immigration, work permits, visa, house search, utility connections, schooling, …

Cultural trainings - Introduction to Belgium, Intercultural Management Trainings Consultancy and quick scans on international mobility processes

member of

www.bewelcome.be www.culturaltraining.be info@ bewelcome.be Tel. : +32 (0)3 449 56 98

advertentie_126_90mm_2013.indd 1

Gosselin Moving | 03 360 5500 Belcrownlaan 23, B-2100 Deurne www.moving.gosselingroup.eu

19/08/13 09:31

EXPAT & COMMUNITY CENTRES Europe.Brussels Liaison Office | 02 2280 0080 Avenue d’Auderghem 63, 1040 Brussels www.blbe.be | blbe@blbe.be

Property Hunter | 02 344 6147 Rue Alphonse Renard 1, 1050 Brussels www.propertyhunter.be

UTILITIES SERVICE PROVIDER

STORAGE SERVICES

www.doit4me.be | info@doit4me.be

Do It 4 Me Services Agency | 02 513 4513

Shurgard Belgium | 0800 500 08 Breedveld 29, 1702 Groot-Bijgaarden www.shurgard.be Transworld International | 02 687 5090 Cl. Vanophemstraat 78, B-3090 Overijse www.transworld.be | info@transworld.be

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RELOCATION

SOCIAL SECURITY

Joining the Belgian Social Security system is bureaucratic, but not difficult.

You can visit www.socialsecurity.fgov.be for a brochure detailing everything you have always wanted to know about social security. This brochure tells you about the structure of the system and your entitlements.

in the same way as for salaried workers and civil servants. These benefits are funded by quarterly contributions to be paid by self-employed persons, which can range from a maximum of 22 percent of income and downward as earnings increase.

There are separate rules and separate institutions for the salaried, the self-employed and civil servants.

If you are employed, your employer will likely take care of the formalities and deduct contributions from your wages. The salaried are covered for seven sectors: medical care, unemployment, pension, family, accident, work-related injury, and vacation.

For the employed, typically your employer will pay around 25 percent on top of your salary into a social security fund, and you’ll contribute an extra 13 percent from your salary (as at 1 January 2013).

With regards to civil servants, the rules differ as social security can be claimed through the relevant governmental department.

Self-employed individuals can also claim social security, although pay a lower percentage than those paid by employers and employees. It does, however, mean that less sectors are covered by the fund, although self-employed individuals may pay more to cover themselves further. The National Institute of Social Security for the Self-Employed is the association in charge, and covers benefits for medical care, incapacity for work or invalidity, maternity insurance, family benefits, pensions and bankruptcy.

You will need to sign up with one of a number of specialised organisations or a health insurance company (mutuelle/mutualiteits), which act as collection agencies for the national social security offices. Once you are registered, they will send you a Social Security Identity Card (SIS), which is needed to get prescription drugs and other medical services.

More detail can be found in this guide’s Healthcare section.

Since 2008, self-employed persons have been included for coverage of petits risques/kleine risico’s. This means that claims can be made for doctor appointments, dentists and prescriptions

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Additional support systems available in certain circumstances are financed from government funds.

These provide for pensions, unemployment benefits and family benefits.

INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION Anyone posted to Belgium short-term is unaffected

by Belgian social security as long as they are an EEA or Swiss national, or from a country that has an international social security treaty with Belgium.

Check the specialised office in your country for further advice.

Belgium has reciprocal social security arrangements with EEA countries and Switzerland, as well as 22 non-EU countries, including Australia, Canada and the US. Under these arrangements, you can claim and be awarded many of the same benefits as Belgian citizens, provided you carry out the necessary paperwork (ie. registering with your town hall or getting your residence visa, if applicable). Visit www.coming2belgium.be for information in several languages.

CONTACTS The social security offices are semi-autonomous, under the administrative control of the Federal Public Service of Social Security (www.socialsecurity. fgov.be). The salaried should contact RSZ-ONSS (www.onssrszlss.fgov.be) and for the self-employed, RSVZ-INASTI (www.inasti.be) is the national institute for your social insurance. EEA/Swiss nationals can get more information from DOSZ-OSSOM, the Overseas Social Security Office (www.ossom.be).

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RELOCATION

MARRIAGE If you are looking to get married in Belgium then at least one of the prospective spouses should reside in the country. Generally they should have been a resident in Belgium for at least three months and this must be demonstrated through the presentation of plane tickets, bills, proof of registration, rental agreements or anything else that helps to establish their period of residence.

However, a Registrar cannot refuse to perform a marriage on the grounds that a foreigner is in the country illegally.

In addition, you will have to present a certificate of residence from your previous country if you are not registered in Belgium, and dated proof of an annulment or dissolution if previously married.

If these are in a foreign language, they will need to be officially translated, and any foreign documentation should be authenticated by means of the ‘Apostille’ stamp, a process for international authentication. It is commonplace in Belgium for marriage contracts to be used, but this is not strictly necessary.

You will need to contact the Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths in the municipality where you live, and each partner will have to present a number of documents – including copies of birth certificates, proof of identity and certificates of residence – at least 10 days before they intend to be married. The competent Belgian authority performing marriages is the Officier de l’Etat Civil/ Ambtenaar van de Burgerlijke Stand.

A marriage to a Belgian national does not immediately provide citizenship. Certain conditions have to be met, such as a requirement for the couple to have lived together for a certain period – minimum of six months and up to three years, depending on circumstances. In order to apply for Belgian nationality, the foreign spouse must make a declaration before the Municipal Registrar for Births, Marriages and Deaths.

DIVORCE Divorce can be sought through either mutual agreement or irreconcilable disunity, where one or both spouses decide to divorce after a de facto separation. One of the spouses may apply for divorce after a twelve-month separation period, but if both are in agreement about the divorce this can be reduced to six months. A couple can initiate the procedure themselves, but there is a lot of paperwork. There are mediators and specialist companies that deal with consensual divorce, otherwise a lawyer can be consulted.

In cases of mutual agreement, the spouses must decide on the division of property, maintenance payments and child custody before the petition is filed. Usually both parties are jointly accountable for the welfare of any children, unless the courts decide otherwise. While legal counsel is not obligatory, a notary will be required for the division of property, and can also file a divorce request.

You can file a petition for divorce with the judge in the area of your last conjugal residence or the defendant’s domicile. Once a divorce judgment has been granted one of the parties may appeal, but they must do so quickly as the divorce becomes final after one month.

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HOUSING

HOUSING

Renting is a common option for expats when they first arrive.

Property prices in Belgium are relatively lower than in neighbouring countries but because transaction costs are high for buying property, most expats on short-term stays opt to rent instead. As with living in any country, the simple question is whether it is more beneficial to rent a property or buy it outright.

SHOULD YOU RENT OR BUY? It is obviously quicker to find somewhere to rent than go through the formalities of a purchase, particularly if you need housing immediately.

Renting is more flexible and gives you time to settle in and know the areas you’d like to live long-term.

However, if you rent initially, you should be aware that terminating a short-term contract early will incur a penalty. In Belgium, the standard nine-year contract is actually more flexible, and as repairs fall to the tenant, freedom for redecoration and improvement can offer the benefits of owning your own home.

Buying a property appears similar then, but transaction costs on property or land purchases are high. There is a registration tax on homes (typically 12.5 percent), and combined with legal/agent fees and other taxes, total costs can add up to 20–25 percent of the purchase price.

Still, compared to Amsterdam, London and Paris, properties in Brussels and Antwerp look cheap and you tend to get a lot more for your money. You will find prices in the Brussels region considerably higher than in other areas or regions of Belgium. A weakened market in recent years, however, shows some price decreases.

But considering that a capital gains tax of 16.5 percent applies to properties sold within five years of purchase, short-term investments look significantly less profitable.

Those contemplating a stay of less than five years or are uncertain about their plans should consider 14

renting as their best option. But if Belgium will be your home for a while, taking the plunge to buy could offer value for your money.

HOW TO FIND A HOME Apartments are normally rented unfurnished, sometimes without essentials like fridges and cookers. Furnished flats are available but are either expensive and targeted at upmarket short-stay tenants or shabby and downmarket. Regardless of your needs, there are several ways to find somewhere suitable to live.

Once you see an area you like, take time to walk the streets armed with a notepad and mobile phone. Many properties display a standard orange poster reading ‘A Louer/Te Huur’ (For Rent) or ‘A Vendre/Te Koop’ (For Sale). Estate agents (agences immobilières/makelaar) also put up signs.

Also be sure to look at the free weekly paper Vlan (www.vlan.be) or English online sites such as The Bulletin (www.xpats.com) or Expatica’s property listings at housing.expatica.com/belgium. The website www.immoweb.be is also excellent, is in English, and allows you to search all of Belgium for a place to rent or buy.

Bear in mind that some of the best properties never get advertised. If a particular area appeals to you, ask colleagues and even local shop owners if they know of any properties available.

Belgium has a large choice of estate agents but you’ll have to do much of the footwork yourself, particularly if buying. After an initial flurry of activity, you may soon drop off their radar. English speaking estate agents are common, particularly in Brussels, and can help new arrivals by acting as a translator.

Rental agencies might even offer to drive you around town to visit various properties. Agents’ fees are typically paid by the landlord or seller of the property.

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RENTING

Nine-year leases are standard in Belgium and more flexible than short-term agreements.

Once you have found the property you want to rent, you need a lease (bail/kontract), an inventory (état des lieux/plaatsbeschrijving), a security deposit, and to get the phone and utilities reconnected.

You will also need to take out an insurance policy for contents, plus fire and water damages.

All leases in Belgium have to be registered with the Receiver of Registrations, Ministry of Finance (Enregistrement, Ministere des Finances/ Registratie, Ministerie van Financien) within two months of being signed. While the landlord usually does this, it is also in your interest to check registration so tenant’s rights cover you.

LEASE Belgium has an odd system of a standard nine-year flexible lease and an inflexible three-year lease, where base rent prices can be increased at each three-year term of the contract. You may hear the nine-year lease referred to as a 3-6-9 due to these periodic increases. At first sight the three-year lease seems more attractive to a newcomer whose time in the country is uncertain, but this is not necessarily the case.

For an apartment, the monthly outgoing may include an element of rent and a fixed amount of service charge. Usually the service charge is just a prepayment (provision pour charges/ vooruitbetaling) and there will later be an annual assessment of common charges for the property for which you will be part-responsible. If you are seeking a better deal, negotiate down the rent and not the service charges.

A three-year lease can be for any agreed period up to a maximum of three years. It fixes the rent for the period of the lease and commits the tenant to pay for the entire period of the lease. It can include a diplomatic clause (designed to indemnify tenants who need to break the lease because they are leaving the country) but these have been nullified by the Belgian Courts in the past.

If there are things you want the landlord to correct before you move in, either specify them in the lease contract, therefore legally binding the landlord, or if you can wait, don’t sign the lease until they have been completed. Maintenance repairs afterward become the responsibility of the tenant.

So, it can actually be better to opt for a nine-year lease, which can in fact be broken by giving three months’ notice. However, if you leave in the first, second or third year, you will pay an indemnity of three, two or one month’s rent respectively. From year four, there is no penalty for leaving.

Your monthly rent will be adapted annually in line with the state-controlled indexation. The landlord can terminate a contract provided they give six months’ notice and either occupy the property themselves, house a family member, or carry out major work (‘major’ has a legal definition).

Landlords can also give notice for no reason at the end of year three or year six, but must compensate the tenant nine or six months’ rent respectively.

INVENTORY The inventory (état des lieux/plaatsbeschrijving) is the source of more misery for tenants than almost any other rental procedure. Typically, the landlord’s agent or a designated expert prepares a detailed list of the condition of the property complete with photographs, which the tenant signs. At the end of the lease, the landlord’s agent checks the property against this inventory.

Be aware that tenants can be charged for minor damage, such as scratches in the bath that were there before they arrived, simply because they didn’t notice the damage when signing the original inventory. It is bad enough to have someone who seems to be less than independent assessing costs against you, and even more irritating that you have to pay 50 percent of the bill.

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Some agents insist you sign a document agreeing to the fee and to accept their expertise before starting. However don’t do this. The way to avoid all such problems is simple. Refuse to accept the landlord’s agent and select your own agent (expert immobilier) to do the check-in and check-out. That way both parties get a truly independent and fair assessment. It is the obligation of the property owner to pay for the inventory and not you.

SECURITY DEPOSIT You may be asked to pay up to three months’ rent as a security deposit (garantie locative/ huurwaarborg) against tenant-caused damages. If you don’t have the money upfront, your bank can act as a guarantor and you can pay later in monthly installments. Alternatively, you can open a blocked deposit account, which needs the signatures of both tenant and landlord for any withdrawal. Never pay the security deposit in cash – it is actually against the law.

The deposit is typically returned following an inspection of the property. If it is deemed that the property was left in its original state then the deposit will be returned.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES It is the tenant’s responsibility to insure the property not only for contents, but also for fire and water damage. Additionally, maintenance repairs fall to the tenant and you should arrange to have any chimneys cleaned and boilers serviced annually. If the property has a private garden it is the tenant’s responsibility to maintain it (communal garden costs are usually included in the service charge).

S E R V I C E D A PA R T M E N T S

Your key to an excellent stay BBF has specialised in rental of corporate housing for 20 years. With a wide range of over 1500 apartments in different top locations in Brussels we can offer an interesting and flexible short to long term rental package combined with excellent services. A dedicated sales team will help you through your enquiry making sure you find the right apartment that is best suited to your needs.

Call our customer service team on: 32 (0)2 705 05 21 - info@bbf.be - www.bbf.be AD SURVIVAL GUIDE 90x126.indd 1

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HOUSING

BUYING

House prices are relatively low but high transactions costs can offset any short-term benefits.

Buying a house in Belgium is a paperwork process, with you (the buyer) first signing a purchase offer (offre d’achat/koopintenties or aankoopaanbod) once you have found a desired property. The deal is confirmed with the signing of an agreement to purchase (compromis de vente/ verkoopcompromis), which binds both parties to the sale and should state any required exit clauses, such as making the agreement dependent on securing a mortgage. You then have four months to get the legal paperwork and mortgage agreement secured and approved, and signing a final contract of purchase (acte authentique/authentieke) will complete the sale. You will be asked to pay around 10 percent as a deposit, which is typically placed into an escrow account until the deed is notarised.

The transfer happens when both parties sign a notarised deed of sale (acte notarié/notariële akte), after which you will also need to pay associated fees and taxes. The agreed property price and the sum of money you’ll pay are often alarmingly different. Firstly, for most properties you will pay a 12.5 percent registration tax to the state.

Buyers in Flanders benefit from a small reduction, with the current tax at 10 percent. Properties less than two years old, however, are subject to a VAT tax of 21 percent. For down market properties with a revenue cadastral/kadastral inkomen below EUR 740 (a government assigned value), taxes are reduced to 6 percent (5 percent in Flanders), but such properties are generally in short supply, poor condition or undesirable areas.

There are also fixed state-agreed costs for the legal services of a notaire, which vary according to the property value (up to 4 percent). So, with the property registration fee, mortgage registration fee, agent’s fees (if applicable), plus the notary fees, transactions costs can quickly add up to some 15 percent of the purchase price for old properties, or some 25 percent or more for new properties.

However, it is worth checking out the tax benefits available to first-time buyers, which vary depending on the location. In some cases, registration tax is exempt up until a certain amount.

THE ROLES OF THE NOTARY As all notaires are obliged to charge the same fees, it is best to select one on recommendation and preferably one who is conveniently located and speaks a common language. Failing that, have a look at www.notaire.be. Find one before you find the house, as they will need to spring into action the moment you are ready to act.

The seller’s notaire typically drafts the compromis de vente and sends it to your notaire, who should amend any unfavourable clauses. Once the text is agreed upon, you all visit the offices of the seller’s notaire to sign and hand over the deposit.

You now have the period agreed in the compromis to find a mortgage; your notaire will do the legal checks and, all going well, within four months you will all meet in the offices of your notaire to sign the acte authentique and hand over the remaining money (usually a cheque from the mortgage lender) in return for the keys.

Strangely, structural surveys are not a legal part of securing a mortgage. It is typically an independent activity for your own peace of mind and should be done before signing the compromis de vente. You will need to show serious hidden defects in order to escape penalty-free once you have signed.

Another oddity of the Belgian system of conveyance is that once you have signed the compromis de vente, you become liable for the property insurance. Even if the property burns down whilst you don’t legally own it, you are still liable. To be covered, you need to take out insurance once the agreement has been signed.

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MORTGAGES There is a full set of mortgage (hypotheeklening/ prêt hypothécaire) options available in Belgium from many sources including the major banks.

Mortgages can be fixed for the term of the loan, variable annually, or reviewed every three or five years, with different options on the type of interest payment. Your lender can provide a printed tabular estimate covering the loan period, usually between 15 and 30 years.

If certain conditions are met, tax benefits can be claimed on mortgages over 10 years. The Belgian government portal www.belgium.be has details.

The loan can include 15 percent additional costs, and sometimes more, if your lender agrees.

Another option is to opt for a guaranteed collateral agreement (hypothecaire volmacht/mandat hypothécaire). It is not an actual loan and instead the bank puts the mortgage on the house, but it means you avoid the mortgage fees and only pay those charged by solicitors. You can’t claim for tax benefits on this system, so it’s important to look at the savings.

Some lenders may charge you for the mortgage offer itself, even if you do not subsequently draw down the loan. Check this in advance and walk away if you are uncomfortable with the arrangement.

Also bear in mind that mortgage offers have a time limit. Lastly, single market mortgages are available from, say, Germany but these can only be obtained via a broker.

However, banks have been more reluctant to lend since the global financial crisis, and low interest rates and dwindling profits have influenced some lenders to add products as a condition for favourable rates, such as getting your salary paid into one of their accounts or purchasing house contents and mortgage protection insurance schemes. The cost of insurance in Belgium is high, though, so it pays to do calculations and comparisons.

If you have existing life insurance, there should be no need to duplicate the cover at a higher cost.

Lenders are no longer able to insist that you buy insurance from a specific company.

ACCOMMODATION SERVICES The following agencies (agence immobiliers/makelaar) typically deal in both sales and rentals. Also visit the Immoweb site for a full list of agents in each region, or look in Yellow Pages (www.goldenpages.be).

ANTWERP

NATIONWIDE

Carl Martens | 03 226 8500 Britselei 24, 2000 Antwerpen www.carlmartens.be

Century 21 Benelux | 03 309 2108 Handelslei 308, 2980 Zoersel www.century21.be Immoweb | 02 333 2525 Avenue Général Dumonceau 56, B-1190 Forest www.immoweb.be

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Belimmo | 03 238 0357 Leopold de Waelstraat 37, 2000 Antwerpen www.belimmo.be

Engetrim | 03 218 6304 Jan van Rijswijcklaan 162, 2020 Antwerpen www.engetrim.be Sidimex | 03 203 0202 Frankrijklei 94, 2000 Antwerpen www.sidimex.be

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HOUSING

BRUSSELS BBF | 02 705 0521 Avenue de Roodebeek 78 box 9, 1030 Brussels info@bbf.be | www.bbf.be BBF City center | 02 539 26 14 Rue du Pélican 38, 1000 Brussels cityflats@bbf.be | www.bbf.be BBF European area | 02 733 4945 Rue Stevin 105, 1000 Brussels schumanflats@bbf.be | www.bbf.be BBF Nato, Woluwe area | 02 705 0521 Avenue Henri Dunant 50 b1, 1140 Brussels airflats@bbf.be | www.bbf.be Marriott Executive Apartments European Quarter 02 505 2929 Rue du Parnasse 15, 1050 Brussels quinten.veerman@marriott.com (Contact: Quinten Veerman) Renaissance Hotel Brussels | 02 505 2929 Rue du Parnasse 19, 1050 Brussels quinten.veerman@marriott.com (Contact: Quinten Veerman) Eurorent | 02 646 2686 Chaussée de Vleurgat 177, 1050 Brussels www.eurorent.com Eurohouse | 02 672 0555 Bld. du Souverain 254, 1160 Brussels www.eurohouse.be Immo Living | 0478 209 552 Rue de la Digue 37, 1050 Brussels–Flagey www.immoliving.com

Housing Service | 02 732 9920 Avenue de Tervuren 155 (square Montgomery) B 1150 Brussels | www.housing-service.be Macnash Associates | 02 514 1147 Boulevard Anspach 123, 1000 Brussels www.macnash.com Toby | 02 219 2333 Rue Royale 55, 1000 Brussels www.bureau-toby.com Trevi | 02 343 2240 Rue Joseph Hazard 35, 1180 Brussel www.trevi.be

AARTSELAAR ERA | 0800 20 227 Antwerpsesteerweg 68-2, 2630 Aartselaar www.era.be

OVERIJSE Immo2002 | 02 687 2779 Ringelberglaan 21, 3090 Overijse www.immo2002.be

LIÈGE Optimum | 04 221 4875 Rue Louvrex 98, 4000 Liège Av. Franklin Roosevelt 108, 1050 Brussels www.optimum.be

OFFICES VIPOFFICES | 02 400 0000 Bd Saint-Michel 47, 1040 Brussels www.vipoffices.com

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HOUSING

WHERE TO LIVE IN BELGIUM Beyond Brussels there are plenty of cities and communes that make great homes for expatriates.

ANTWERP Antwerp offers a truly multicultural environment with an ingrained mix of nationalities. There is a well-sized population of British and American families living here; plus there are several international schools and a good choice of Englishspeaking clubs and societies. Add to that the fact that the majority of Flemish speakers speak English, and Antwerp becomes an attractive place to settle down.

Most families tend to live in the north of the city with its residential flavour and gardened houses.

Single expats tend to live in the midst of it all in beautiful, albeit expensive, apartments.

10 REASONS TO STAY AT THE MARRIOTT EXECUTIVE APARTMENTS, YOUR EXTENDED STAY SOLUTION

Up and coming areas include the redeveloped museum area (‘t Zuid) and parts of Berchem with grand Art Nouveau houses and a slightly bohemian feel. Another rising neighbourhood is ‘t Eilandje (little island), surrounded by the docklands in the north and close to Antwerp’s giant contemporary museum, MAS. The urban set favour apartments in the area known as St Andries, which has the feel of a village within the city, between the river and Nationalestraat.

Antwerp’s focus on fashion and cultural tourism has also paid off, earning it the title of ‘trendiest city’ in travel articles. There is also a high number of business establishments owing to the port and industrial development, plus a young population that is drawn to the university facilities and rising job opportunities.

• Newly renovated contemporary designed apartments • Located adjacent to the Renaissance Brussels Hotel, guests have access to hotel services and facilities • Free entry to the 2000m² World Class Fitness Centre with indoor swimming pool • Multiple on-site laundry facilities • Housekeeping service • Ample underground parking • Wi-Fi internet • 24-hr room service • Close to Place Luxembourg and its bustling nightlife • Easy access to bus and metro links servicing the city and airport

Marriott Executive Apartments® Rue du Parnasse 15, 1050 | Brussels, Belgium | Tel: 32 (0) 2 505 29 00 marriottexecutiveapartments.com | Earn Marriott Rewards points MarriottRewards.com

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GENT

TERVUREN

Often called Belgium’s most beautiful city, Gent is a location that is growing in popularity with a dynamic mix of cosmopolitan and provincial-town feel. The most popular locations for expats in the centre of town are Muinparkwijk, with its affordable houses and gardens, and Coupure, full of old houses set off by a delightful river running through it.

In this officially Dutch-speaking area, you’ll hear French and English on the streets among a number of languages. A large population of expats have been attracted to this lush country living at the edge of Brussels, with its great park surrounding the Africa Museum and The British School at its heart. As Tervuren is known for being one of the richer areas of Belgium, houses are expensive but big, with acres of land and a real sense of owning your own patch. You’d need a car to live here, but it’s at the end of one of the world’s most beautiful tramlines. Tervuren is best suited to families as life here is rather quiet. The south-bordering commune, Overijse, is a scenic area also popular with expats.

Gent is a prominent student town, but there is a good mix of locals, students and expats who call the city home. The blossoming University of Ghent is also influencing the city to become a strong research and development centre, retaining more young professionals. Patershol and Prinsenhof are lively central areas of winding cobbled streets, restaurants and museums, but for a quieter central neighbourhood, south-east Visserij offers leafy paths along a waterfront, and rows of terraced housing that adjoin grand manor houses and industrial lofts.

Many families also make the decision to live outside the city limits in the surrounding villages, where they can enjoy a rural lifestyle with space for the children and easy access to the city.

GENVAL

WATERLOO Waterloo is a small French-speaking municipality popular for its self-containment, meaning there is no need to drive in and out of Brussels whenever you need anything. It’s a popular area for expats with a whole raft of international schools and cheaper housing options than Brussels centre.

Housing tends to be big with ample land, plus there’s a good high street of shops and clusters of big out-of-town shopping centres.

This commune outside the Brussels region is a village in its own right and a French-speaking enclave in the Flemish belt. The most expensive part to live in is down by the lake with its Geneva-style waterspout, water sports facilities and five-star hotel.

Genval is just a 20-minute train journey away from Brussels Centre, so it is an ideal commuting location.

LIÈGE The centre has a good stock of apartment buildings, and expats tend to gather around a cluster of streets including boulevards Frère Oban and Piercot, Le Mont St-Martin, Botanique, and Les Terrasses.

Outremeuse, the island area in the middle of the Meuse river, is also becoming a desirable area for its cultural character. The city is renowned for its busy folk festivals and varied nightlife. Suburban living includes the university area of Le Sart Tilman and also Cointe and Embourg. Expat families can easily commute from surrounding areas if they want more space or school options, although accommodation can be harder to get.

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WHERE TO LIVE IN BRUSSELS If living in the thick of it all is irresistible then downtown is the place for you.

In recent years, previously run-down parts of the centre have become a magnet for young professionals, with major renovations and industrial spaces coming up for rent or sale. Sought-after areas are St Géry, Ste Catherine and the rue Antoine Dansaert area leading up to the canal, where old warehouses have been converted into popular loft apartments.

The traditionally cheaper, working-class Marolles is becoming increasingly popular with a young urban set. The Sablon and Louise are fabulously upmarket but that is, naturally, reflected in price. What you get in return is a raft of art galleries, antique shops and stylish cafes.

Up and coming are the streets around the main boulevard leading down to Gare du Midi, with many old properties ripe for development and still at somewhat attractive prices.

IXELLES/ELSENE Wildly popular with the expatriate community, Ixelles is a massive commune with character and style. It falls into distinct areas: trendy Châtelain with its café culture, the leafy ponds and abbey area leading down to the Bois de la Cambre; and buzzy Chaussée d’Ixelles, which takes in the Matongé, the African quarter, and the cemetery with its latenight bars and student population. Through it all runs Avenue Louise, which is technically a part of the Brussels City district, with its upmarket shops and restaurants. The housing stock tends to be large townhouses and desirable apartment conversions, but you’ll certainly pay for them. If you’re looking for green space there is the huge Bois de la Cambre to the south. For more surbaban living, head southeast to the commune of Watermael-Boitsfort, which is rapidly becoming a popular area with easy city access and a quaint village feel.

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ETTERBEEK Best known for the area at the top end of the Parc du Cinquantenaire, Etterbeek is filled with attractive streets lined with early 20th-century townhouses.

Home to many European institutions, it has fantastic public transport facilities. The relatively cheap housing prices and good availability of houses and apartments, mostly in conversions, make Etterbeek particularly attractive. There are two international schools here, as well as cultural venues at l’Espace Senghor, Théâtre St-Michel, Théâtre Yvan BaudouinLesly Bunton, and l’Espace Entrée Libre.

ST-GILLES/SINT-GILLIS St Gilles is a favourite among those expats who like to live like the locals. From the top end, with its grand Art Nouveau houses, down to the earthy Gare du Midi, St Gilles is packed with quirky restaurants, shops and a buzzing nightlife. There is the beautiful art deco Victor Boin swimming pool and Turkish baths for when you want to relax, together with a number of theatres, cinemas and galleries to explore. You are most likely to find a bargain place to live here too, especially if you buy. It is one of Brussels’ most dynamic areas with a definite future, attracting both expats and locals to its enigmatic character.

UCCLE/UKKEL This is a beautiful and calm commune with huge houses and upmarket apartment blocks. Popular with expat families and home to a large international community, it has a village feel and is well situated for shops and several international schools. It is probably Brussels’ most leafy commune due to its close proximity to the Forest of Soignes and housing with generous gardens. In summer, concerts are sometimes held in Parc de Wolvendael.

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HOUSING

WOLUWE-SAINT-PIERRE/ SINT-PIETERS-WOLUWE

BRUSSELS COMMUNES

This is often the choice of folk working at the European institutions, both for its proximity and upmarket housing. It is popular with expat families for its large, gardened houses, although a mix of apartments and townhouses exists also. It’s almost self-contained with its massive park, sports centre and public amenities. It’s also on the metro line 1B, giving easy public transport access.

WOLUWE-SAINT-LAMBERT/ SINT-LAMBRECHTS-WOLUWE Saint-Pierre’s next-door neighbour shares much the same attractions, including the huge Woluwe Shopping Centre. As it is a step further out from the centre, it begins to get even more suburban and green, and is within good striking distance of the airport and major international motorways. You will find varied shopping and plenty to do, including a swimming pool and ice-skating rink.

Anderlecht. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 558 0800 Auderghem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 676 4811 Berchem-Sainte-Agathe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 464 0411 Brussels City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 279 2211 Etterbeek. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 627 2111 Evere. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 247 6262 Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 370 2211 Ganshoren. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 465 1277 Ixelles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 515 6111 Jette. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .02 423 1211 Koekelberg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 412 1114 Molenbeek-Saint-Jean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 412 3790 Saint-Gilles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 536 0211 Saint-Josse-ten-Node. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 220 2611 Schaerbeek. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 244 7511 Uccle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 348 6511 Watermael-Boitsfort. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 674 7411 Woluwe-Saint-Lambert. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 761 2711 Woluwe-Saint-Pierre. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .02 773 0511

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FINANCE

FINANCE

Belgium is a pioneer of the cashless society.

There are many payment options available, and card payment is widely accepted in both small and large retail facilities. Despite a sophisticated payment system, cash for small purchases is still sometimes the preferred option. However, as part of the single-currency zone, transferring money between Eurozone states is easily facilitated.

CURRENCY Belgium in is the Eurozone, and is one of 18 member countries that use the euro currency. Of the older EU countries, Sweden, Denmark and the UK remain the outsiders. Despite prolonged economic crises in some Eurozone states, the euro has rebounded over the last year to surpass the dollar.

Coins: 1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, 1 EUR, 2 EUR Notes: 5 EUR, 10 EUR, 20 EUR, 50 EUR, 100 EUR, 200 EUR, 500 EUR On one side of the coins is a map of Europe, while the other side shows a design specific to the country where it was minted. There is talk of abolishing the one and two cent coins, for economic and social reasons; in the Netherlands and Finland they commonly round prices to the nearest five cents when paying by cash. Belgium has pledged to make similar moves in the past, though nothing has come into force. All euro notes are the same, regardless of which country they come from.

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central Brussels at peak times, or that machines are low on cash after a big Saturday night.

DEBIT AND CREDIT CARDS The most common card in Belgium is the Bancontact/Mister Cash card. It is linked to your current account and is accepted in department stores, supermarkets, gas stations, and high street shops. It’s a good idea to have one of these, as there are still many places in Belgium that don’t accept alternatives. A Bancontact/ Mister Cash card with a PIN number will be issued when you open a Belgian bank account.

Most types of credit card are accepted to varying degrees. If you get a Visa or MasterCard from a local bank, the standard option in Belgium is for this to operate like a debit card, with the full balance taken from your account each month.

Most major banks offer credit cards, which can range up to EUR 40, depending on the type.

American Express, Diners and other major international credit cards can also be obtained and used in Belgium.

PROTON CARDS

PAYING CASH

The Proton card refers to a chip integrated into your Bancontact/Mister Cash card and is like a rechargeable electronic purse. It is designed to pay for everyday items such as newspapers and sandwiches, or at parking metres and pay phones. It allows payment without the necessity to connect to a centralised bank terminal, meaning smaller merchants, such as the butcher or baker, can take a cashless-payment quickly.

Cash dispensers are usually found wherever there is a bank, and they all take the Bancontact/Mister Cash cards issued by local banks, as well as credit cards. Dispenser lobbies within banks are open after hours, are usually only for customers of that specific bank and most don’t issue cash on credit cards. You’ll need to swipe your bank card to get in. You may find yourself queuing for an ATM in

Using your usual four digit PIN code, you load the card at a cash dispenser before you go shopping.

Then, the shopkeeper enters the amount to be paid into the Proton terminal and you insert your card. To make the transaction, you simply press the OK button. A word of caution: a lost card is like lost cash so don’t overload it. Larger supermarkets may not offer the Proton option.

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RELOCATION

No matter where you come from...

POUND

YEN

EURO PESO

DOLLAR RUPEE

Our Service Pack –including account and cards- is free for all new expats for a year.

For more information, visit www.bnpparibasfortis.be or your nearest BNP Paribas Fortis branch.

Pending approval of your application.

BELGIUM EXPAT 2014 Publisher : A. Moenaert, BNP Paribas Fortis SA/NV, Montagne du Parc/Warandeberg 3, 1000 Brussels, RPMSURVIVAL Brussels, TVA GUIDE BE 0403.199.702

| WWW.EXPATICA.COM

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FINANCE

BANKING

Belgium’s sophisticated banking system offers specialised expat services.

The main Belgian banks are ING, BNP Paribas Fortis and KBC, but there are many to choose from. The full range of financial services is on offer, including specialised expat banking services in English. Most websites include a branch finder. All the major banks offer their services in French, Dutch and English, and some expat services offer more.

THE TRANSFER SLIP

OPENING A BANK ACCOUNT

DIRECT DEBIT

To open a current or checking account (compte à vue/zichtrekening), you need either a passport or a Belgian ID Card as proof of identity, together with proof of residence. Once the account is opened the bank will send you a Bancontact/Mister Cash debit card. A PIN number will be given or sent to you separately. If you want to open a savings account (compte d’épargne/spaarrekening) or add credit cards, the bank can advise you on the different options.

This practice, known as domiciliation/domiciliering, is the most efficient way to pay regular bills, as you can authorise companies that you trust to debit money from your account before a bill deadline. It is commonly used for utility bills.

Belgium’s sophisticated banking system also provides for truly online banks, where you can open and manage your account without ever having to see your broker.

INTERNET AND PHONE BANKING Most major banks offer both telephone and internet banking as separate add-on services, or included in an annual ‘package’ fee. Internet banking and EU laws allow complete account management and easy payment of regular and non-standard bills throughout the Eurozone. There are reduced fees for standardised euro transfers below a threshold limit. You will need the international bank account number (IBAN) and Business Identifier Code (BIC) for transfers.

If you do not bank online the most common means of payment is via a bank transfer (virement/ overschrijving). This is an orange and white payment slip found at the bottom of almost all Belgian bills.

This has to be filled in, signed and handed in at your bank or paid via an ATM machine.

STANDING ORDER This is called ordre permanent/bestendige opdracht and can be set up for regular payments of a fixed amount, like rent or mortgage repayments.

You can also use it as a way of saving a fixed amount regularly, by automatic transfer from your current account to your savings accounts.

ING | 02 464 6664 www.ing.be/expats BNP Paribas Fortis | 02 261 1111 www.bnpparibasfortis.be Belfius | 02 222 1202 www.belfius.be KBC | www.kbc.be/expats

CHEQUE While they can be found, cheques are more or less obsolete and can attract penal banking charges. They are not recommended, nor are they encouraged by the banks.

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WWW.EXPATICA.COM | BELGIUM EXPAT SURVIVAL GUIDE 2014

Have you just moved, or are you about to move, to Belgium ?

In that case expert advice and support can be useful.

That is precisely what ING can offer you for all your

your language and a dedicated Call Centre. What better welcome could you wish for? Have a try by

banking and insurance needs, even before you arrive.

With ING you can benefit from a contact who speaks

calling one of our staff on + 32 (0)2 464 66 64 or by surfing to ing.be/expat

ING Belgium SA/NV –Bank/Lender –Registered office: avenue Marnix 24, B-1000 Brussels –Brussels RPM/RPR –VAT: BE 0403.200.393 –BIC: BBRUBEBB –IBAN: BE45 3109 1560 2789 - Publisher: Inge Ampe –Cours Saint-Michel 60, B-1040 Brussels.

FINANCE

TAXATION

Expatriates and Belgian citizens alike suffer from one of the highest taxation rates in the EU. It amounts to an effective tax rate (including social security) of well over 50 percent for the highest earners. This compares to an average 45 percent in Europe. An expatriate working in Belgium will typically be liable for Belgian income tax. Additionally, property tax, gift and inheritance tax may be relevant.

In most circumstances there are no capital gains taxes or wealth tax for individuals in Belgium, thus pushing the tax burden firmly onto the employee.

Residents of Belgium pay personal income tax on their total income from all worldwide sources on a sliding scale. The basic exemption for fiscal year 2014 (revenue of 2013) is EUR 7,070 regardless of marital status, with further exemptions for dependent children and a spouse. For 2013, marginal income tax starts at 25 percent, rising to 30 percent for income over EUR 8,590, 40 percent over EUR 12,220, 45 percent over EUR 20,370, with a top limit of 50 percent for incomes above EUR 37,330.

Residents also pay municipal and regional taxes and municipal taxes typically range 0–8 percent. For nonresidents, an average 7 percent municipal tax is taken into account, irrespective of whether the municipal taxes are levied in the commune.

Income tax is paid on the taxable base, which is determined from salary less compulsory social security contributions (paid either in Belgium or abroad). Professional expenses can be deducted either directly with supporting documentation or more usually on a lump sum basis depending on the height of the salary.

The Belgian tax year for personal income tax begins on 1 January and ends on 31 December. You will typically receive a tax return (déclaration/aangifte) during May relating to the previous year’s income.

This must normally be returned by the end of June (you will find the exact date on your tax return). If you use the ‘Tax-on-Web’ online filing system, you are traditionally allowed a couple days extra. Employers are responsible for withholding tax on a monthly

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basis – this is known as the Précompte Professionnel/ Bedrijfsvoorheffing. Similarly, the self-employed or paid company directors have to pay tax monthly in advance via a collecting agency or bank.

OTHER TAXES Homeowners pay a local property tax (précompte immobilier/onroerende voor heffing), which is calculated on the presumed annual rental value attributed by the authorities to the property (revenue cadastral/kadastraal inkomen). The tax paid varies according to the commune and the region. In the Flemish region it is generally 2.5 percent of the annual deemed rental income, while in the Walloon and Brussels region it is approximately 1.25 percent.

SPECIAL EXPATRIATE STATUS Expatriates who satisfy specific conditions come under a special taxation regime and pay Belgian tax only on income related to professional duties carried out in Belgium. A foreign executive assigned temporarily to Belgium may qualify, but the conditions are tough. Employment must be by an international group or in a scientific research centre, and must be temporary. Also, the expatriate’s centre of personal and economic interest must not be Belgium.

In determining the latter, the authorities take the following into account: the ownership of real estate, personal property or securities abroad; a life assurance contract written abroad; the inclusion of a diplomatic clause in the Belgian rental agreement for accommodation; continued affiliation to a group pension scheme abroad; renewal of credit cards issued by banks abroad; continued affiliation to a social security scheme abroad; or continuing to act as an officer of a foreign company. If you qualify for the above, there are specific allowances and deductions available.

VAT Most goods and services have VAT levied on them.

The standard rate is 21 percent while there are lower rates for certain categories of goods and services.

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FINANCE

Daily and weekly publications and some recycled goods attract a zero rate, while a 6 percent rate applies to most basic goods, such as food, water supply, books and medicines. Another rate of 12 percent is applied to social housing and food served at restaurants.

Tax section updated by TAXPATRIA, www.taxpatria.be.

SPF Finance ministry Service Public Fédéral Finances / Federale 02 572 5757 (Contact centre) | 8am to 5pm www.minfin.fgov.be

Open yOur incOme TO The wOrld.

contact us and get the (Tax) law right !

International Law Office

MEP-Annonce.indd 1

Avenue Brugmann, 183 - 1190 Brussels Tel: +32 2 643 11 00 - law-right.com - info@law-right.com

21/10/13 12:05 BELGIUM EXPAT SURVIVAL GUIDE 2014 | WWW.EXPATICA.COM

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FINANCE

INSURANCE

Certain types of insurance are mandatory in Belgium.

HEALTH Healthcare insurance is a part of the Belgian Social Security system and to benefit you must join a health insurance fund mutuelle (mutualité)/ziekenfonds (mutualiteit). Once you are employed by a Belgian company your contributions and those of your employer will be automatically deducted from your salary by the ONSS (National Office of Social Security). After you are registered with a health insurance fund, it will deal with reimbursing your medical costs. Dependent family members will be automatically covered by the same fund.

To take you on, the fund will need written certification of employment signed by your employer.

Although most funds are affiliated to a religious or political institution, there is no real difference because reimbursement rates are fixed by the government.

However, you are free to choose one that best suits your needs, for example if one provides more cover for alternative medicine, or has multilingual services. These funds do not, however, cover 100 percent of your bills; you may get around half to three-quarters of a typical doctor or specialist appointment. Check also with your doctor if what is prescribed is refundable. Pharmacies maintain a state-advised list. Consequently, some people opt for additional private insurance (complémentaire).

Once insured you get a standardised credit card style SIS card, which you will need in pharmacies and hospitals.

You also get a sheet of stickers (vignettes), which you need to attach to a doctor’s bill to get a refund.

CAR Belgian car insurance is expensive, and it is the car not the driver that is insured. This means that anyone can drive your car, but you’ll need to ask for additional insurance if you want coverage for driver injury. The minimum insurance required by Belgian law is Third- Party Liability (Responsabilité Civile/Wetteligjke Aansprakelijkheids Verzekering), which covers death, bodily injury or physical damage that you cause to another person.

Fully Comprehensive coverage will provide for most eventualities including vandalism, fire, theft, or damage from a collision, while Part Comprehensive cover includes third party along with fire cover. Like insurance in other European nations, a no-claims bonus scheme is the 30

norm. If you have a previous no-claim record in another country, you can bring it with you or may even be asked to present it.

The insurance company will issue you with a Green Card and an accident report form, both of which you must keep in your car at all times. Ask for additional copies of the report in French, Dutch and your language, so you can complete it more easily. If an accident happens, make sure you check the driver’s Green Card as proof of insurance; get the details of any witnesses before they leave; fill in the accident report (signed by both parties); and send it within one week.

HOME Whether you own or rent your property, you will need to get home insurance. Almost all rental agreements in Belgium require the tenant to take out insurance on the rented property within 30 days of signing a lease.

This is because the Belgian Civil Code holds the tenant responsible for any damage to the building unless proof can be given that it was not his/her fault. If you are renting, take your lease with you when you arrange your insurance. You are responsible for providing coverage against third-party liability, but the owner is required to have a policy covering the property against earthquakes, lightning, fire, etc. If you are in furnished accommodation, you are generally required to take out insurance against damage to the landlord’s furniture.

Homeowners may have a policy linked to their mortgage, otherwise there is no obligation to do this.

However, homebuyers are responsible for the insurance after signing the compromis de vente – around four months before they get the keys. Contents insurance is not compulsory but advisable. Remember that theft may not be covered automatically in contents insurance, but available as an option. Valuable personal items, such as jewellery or cameras, may require an All Risks policy, which will cover you for damage or loss in or out of the home. Premiums on desirables such as laptop computers tend to be high.

Additionally, if you employ a part-time or full-time cleaner or nanny you need to take out special low-cost liability insurance in case they injure themselves on the job; for instance, slipping on the stairs.

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WILL YOU CELEBRATE TAXFREEDOMDAY 速 *

EARLIER NEXT YEAR? INCOME TAX FILING - TAX CALCULATIONS - CORPORATE CLIENT SERVICES - TAX REFUND REQUESTS - INCOME & HERITANCE TAX PLANNING - ADVISORY & CONSULTING - SPECIAL TAX REGIME FOR FOREIGN EXECUTIVES - TAX MEDIATION AND LITIGATION - IMMIGRATION SERVICES - ...

TAXPATRIA ANTWERP OFFICE

Sint-Paulusplaats 2 2000 ANTWERP

expatriate tax assistance

www.taxpatria.be

BRUSSELS OFFICE Culliganlaan 1B 1831 DIEGEM

*Tax Freedom Day速 is the symbolic date on which the average taxpayer stops working for the public treasury and begins earning for himself.

BELGIUM EXPAT SURVIVAL GUIDE 2014 | WWW.EXPATICA.COM

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FINANCE

INSURANCE COMPANIES Bupa | +44 1273 761 142 www.bupa-intl.com/belgium

Now Health | +44 1276 602100 www.now-health.com | EuropeSales@now-health.com

Expat & Co | 02 463 0404 Lange Haagstraat 72, 1700 Dilbeek www.expatinsurance.eu | info@expatinsurance.eu

Partena Business & Expats 02 549 75 40 Coupure Links 103, 9000 Gent www.bepartena.be | business@partenaexpats.be

IntegraGlobal | +44 333 405 3003 ig-contact@integraglobal.com www.integraglobal.com

TAX COMPANIES Law Right | 02 643 1100 Avenue Brugmann 183, 1190 Brussels www.law-right.com Spectrum IFA Group (Belgium) +32 2 234 7750 (Netherlands) +31 20 301 2119 M: +31 625 478174 www.spectrum-ifa.com Taxpatria (Antwerp) | 03 337 3520 Sint-Paulusplaats 2, 2000 Antwerpen www.taxpatria.be | info@taxpatria.be Taxpatria (Brussels) | 02 403 1207 Culliganlaan 1B, 1831 Diegem www.taxpatria.be | info@taxpatria.be

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EXPATICA JOBS THE EASIEST WAY TO FIND ENGLISH-LANGUAGE JOBS

Stop by Expatica.com’s Employment section for information on work permits, management culture, applying for a job, and more.

Check out our LISTINGS at: jobs.expatica.com/belgium

EDUCATION

EDUCATION SYSTEM

International families are catered for by a wide array of education facilities.

In keeping with the myriad levels of national and local bureaucracy in Belgium, the state school system can seem a minefield to newcomers trying to make a choice for their children.

The first decision is whether to integrate your children into the local system or to take advantage of the many international schools in the country.

This naturally depends on whether you are on a short-term contract or plan to stay in Belgium. The international option would allow your children to continue in the same education system once they return to their home country, while local schools help children’s integration in the long-term.

BELGIAN SCHOOLS While the state sets the laws regarding education, responsibility for schools lies with the language communities; Dutch in Flanders, French in Wallonia and both languages in Brussels and some surrounding communes.

As well as state schools, there are subsidised ‘free’ and independent schools, often run on religious lines though their curricula, with certification recognised equally within the system. Religion plays a part in state education and students can opt for Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Jewish or Islamic studies, or a more general secular approach.

The compulsory school age in Belgium is 6 to 18 years, though children may start at age 5 if they are deemed ready, and pupils aged 16 years and older have the opportunity to study part-time. Education is free, though at secondary level parents may be expected to contribute to the cost of textbooks, school supplies or field trips. All schools are coeducational.

Most schools have a half-day on Wednesday, though the afternoon is sometimes given over to sporting or cultural activities. These can also happen on a Saturday morning. Childcare facilities involving play and homework are available before 34

or after school for working parents, though there is usually a charge. Similarly, your children can often be cared for on Wednesday afternoons.

PRE-SCHOOL Working parents are facilitated by a large choice of childcare facilities. Prior to formal education, nurseries are available for babies and children up to two-and-half years, with priority given to mothers in full-time work. Kindergartens (kleuteronderwijs/ enseignement maternelle) then take over, providing daycare facilities for children until they reach school age. Almost all children attend pre-schools during their formative years. The kindergartens are often attached to local primary schools, which allows for an easy transition into formal education. If you choose a local school, school-beginners may be required to prove their proficiency in the school’s set language, or at least have attended a local nursery part-time for a set number of days in the previous school year. You can also check which schools provide language immersion programmes.

PRIMARY SCHOOL Children stay at primary school for six years during which time they study a whole range of subjects with an emphasis on languages and mathematics.

Learning a foreign language will likely be part of the curriculum, for example, French in the Flemish-speaking areas, or Dutch or German in the French community. Homework is also part of the educational structure from early on.

In Belgian schools there is a strong tradition of parental participation. The culmination of primary education is the attainment of a ‘Certificate of basic education’ (CEB) for the French community, the ‘Getuigschrift basisonderwijs’ for the Flemish Community and the ‘Abschlusszeugnis der Grundschule’ for the German community. The certificate is important when moving to secondary education.

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EDUCATION

SECONDARY SCHOOL

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS

Secondary school progresses through three stages, starting off with general studies in the early years, after which students can specialise in general, vocational, technical, or artistic streams depending on individual choice and ability. Assessment is ongoing and rigidly enforced. There is a number of educational certificates awarded, including the Certificate of Lower Secondary Education and the Certificate of Higher Education.

These are the choice for parents who wish their children to remain in a familiar system, with a language they know, and with the option of continuing the system back in their home country.

With its burgeoning international community, Belgium – and Brussels in particular – has a raft of international schools following British, American, French and Dutch education systems, among many others. These schools offer the whole range of education from nursery to school-leaving age.

They are typically private and therefore fee-paying, though many employers offer education support as part of an overseas benefits package.

When students begin to specialise, their courses of study focus on one of four areas: • General education: prepares students for the transition to higher education and is mainly focused on training theory and general knowledge.

• Technical education: similar to General education but has more of a focus on practice and technical teaching, preparing students for a profession or further studies.

• Vocational: provides direct access to a profession at the end of the course and is heavily focused on practice. Students also receive one or more additional years, called 4th degree.

• Art education: organised in exactly the same way as technical education, but the elective options are within arts and non-technical subjects.

Depending on the subjects studied, students can go on to higher education in either a specialised institution, such as an art college, or to a university or college.

All these courses provide access to higher education, except vocational education, which must be completed by the seventh year for the certificate of secondary education (CESS).

EUROPEAN SCHOOLS The European schools are notoriously difficult to get into unless at least one parent works for an EU institution. Education is in the mother tongue, with a second language being introduced at primary level. A third language is then obligatory from the second year of secondary school, with optional additional languages on offer in later years.

Courses lead to the European Baccalaureate, which is recognised for university entrance throughout the EU.

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The International School of Brussels (ISB) is the largest American curriculum international school and teaches students from pre-school, aged two and a half, right up to high school grade 13, for students aged 19 years. It also offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme.

The British School of Brussels (BSB) is the largest British curriculum school, set on a large campus in Tervuren. BSB can accommodate children from 1–18 years old and is the only school in Belgium to offer both A Levels and the IB programme. Both ISB and BSB place great emphasis on sport and the arts, and run highly successful summer schools open to all.

St John’s International School emphasises Christian values, encourages academic excellence and stimulates social development within a culturally diverse environment.

Similarly in Antwerp, the small Antwerp British School offers an international curriculum for children aged 3 to 18 years, leading to the Cambridge International Examinations (IGCSE) as well as the IB. The Antwerp International School offers the same accreditation, and can accommodate children from the age of two and a half to 18 years of age.

Both schools offer Dutch and French as part of the standard curriculum.

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EDUCATION

European School of Mol

• • • • • • • • • • •

Nursery, Primary & Secondary School from 3-18 Open to all students Education in French, German, English and Dutch Multilingual: Mother tongue tuition and up to 5 different languages Many subjects taught in 2nd language Multi-cultural: More than 50 nationalities Internationally recognised European Baccalaureate Curriculum validated by 28 Member States Individualised approach and educational support Many study trips and sports activities Green and large facilities

METHOD SCHOOLS A wide range of schools adopts the methodology of an educational philosophy.

In these, children often learn through discovery and the liberal arts, with subjects such as grammar, mathematics and science being taught from direct experience rather than in a formal setting.

The Celstin Freinet system follows this approach, whilst the Decroly schools separate the academic from the creative skills in a vertically streamed organisation, with younger children benefiting from the experience of older pupils. The Steiner schools place greater emphasis on the arts.

The world-famous Montessori schools are well represented in Belgium and teach children in small, focused groups according to the relaxed selfdevelopmental Montessori method. These schools tend to offer a bilingual French-English education.

MONTESSORI SCHOOLS At the heart of the Montessori method of education is the child. Montessori children learn in a supportive

European by nature Contact: dir@esmol.be www.esmol.be Phone: 0032 (0)14 56 31 01 Europawijk 100, 2400 Mol (Antwerp)

and non-competitive environment and the focus is on the child’s individuality and specific needs.

Children are encouraged to work at their own pace and independently, meaning the teachers can work with other individuals or small groups. This places a certain amount of responsibility upon children to develop their own learning, while teachers act as an encouraging guide and facilitator. An essential concept of Montessori is that the teacher must pay attention to the child rather than the other way round. Teachers are, of course, still important as it is they who create the environment where learning can take place.

The teacher and the children share the whole space between them – there is no teacher’s area or desk – and the total environment comes into play. The Montessori schools in Brussels operate bilingually with two teachers, one who speaks only in English and the other in French. Extra languages, such as Dutch and German, can be introduced as the children become older, though these tend to be taught more traditionally.

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EDUCATION

SCHOOL LISTINGS BRUSSELS AND SURROUNDINGS PRIMARY SCHOOLS Ac. Montessori Kids | 02 633 6652 Route de Reniport 4, 1380 Lasne www.acmontessorikids.com BEPS International School | 02 648 4311 Avenue Franklin Roosevelt 23, 1050 Brussels www.beps.com | info@beps.com British International School of Brussels | 02 736 8981 Avenue Emile Max 163, 1030 Brussels www.bisb.org | schooloffice@bisb.org British Junior Academy of Brussels 02 732 5376 Boulevard Saint-Michel 83, 1040 Brussels www.bjab.org | info@bjab.org European Montessori School | 02 354 0033 Avenue Beau Séjour 12, 1410 Waterloo www.europeanmontessorischool.be Montessori House Belgium | 02 385 1503 Rue Pergere 117, 1420 Braine L’Alleud www.montessorihouse.net St Paul’s British Primary School | 02 767 3098 Stationsstraat 3, 3080 Vossem-Tervuren www.stpaulsbps.com | info@stpaulsbps.com PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS British School of Brussels | 02 766 0430 Leuvensesteenweg 19, 3080 Tervuren www.britishschool.be | reception@britishschool.be Brussels American School | 02 717 9552 Avenue JF Kennedy 12, 1933 Sterrebeek www.brus-ehs.eu.dodea.edu Brussels International Catholic School 02 230 0218 Chaussée de Wavre 457, 1040 Brussels www.bicschool.be | admissions@bicschool.be

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European School of Brussels I | 02 373 8611 Avenue du Vert Chasseur 46, 1180 Brussels Rue de Berkendael 70–74, 1190 Brussels www.eeb1.org European School of Brussels II | 02 774 2211 Avenue Oscar Jespers 75, 1200 Woluwe-SaintLambert www.eeb2.be European School of Brussels III | 02 627 4700 Boulevard du Triomphe 135, 1050 Ixelles www.eeb3.eu Internationale Deutsche Schule Brüssel | 02 785 0130 Lange Eikstraat 71, 1970 Wezembeek-Oppem www.idsb.eu | info@idsb.eu International Montessori Schools | 02 767 6360 Rotselaerlaan 1, 3080 Tervuren www.international-montessori.org International School of Brussels | 02 661 4211 Kattenberg 19, 1170 Brusselss | www.isb.be ISF Waterloo International School | 02 358 5606 Chaussée de Waterloo 280, 1640 Rhode Saint Genèse www.wis.be | office@isfwaterloo.org Japanese School of Brussels | 02 672 1038 Avenue des Meuniers 133, 1160 Auderghem www.japanese-school-brussels.be Lycée Français de Belgique Jean Monnet | 02 374 5878 Avenue du Lycée Français 9, 1180 Brussels www.lyceefrancais-jmonnet.be Scandinavian School of Brussels | 02 357 0670 Square d’Argenteuil 5, 1410 Waterloo www.ssb.be | admissions@ssb.be St John’s International School | 02 352 0610 Drève Richelle 146, 1410 Waterloo www.stjohns.be | contact@stjohns.be

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EDUCATION

TO LEAD

in everything we do

T

he Antwerp International School has been developing young people

with vision and a strong sense of leadership for over 45 years.

We are recognised as one of the world’s leading international schools. Accredited by the rigorous CIS inspection process, AIS is the first school in the world to have been accredited five times consecutively. We offer an international English education to students from the age of two and a half up to the age of eighteen. AIS students achieve exceptional academic results. They are welcomed and successful at leading universities throughout the world.

See what YOUR child can achieve with the advantage of an AIS education.

The Antwerp International School, vzw

Inspiring Successful Futures

To find out more about giving your child the education they deserve, please visit our brand new website: www.ais-antwerp.be or call: +32(0)3 543 93 26 or mail: admissions@ais-antwerp.be You can BELGIUM also follow us on Facebook (official) EXPAT SURVIVAL GUIDE 2014 | WWW.EXPATICA.COM 39

HOUSING

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Publisher : A. Moenaert, BNP Paribas Fortis SA/NV, Montagne du Parc/Warandeberg 3, 1000 Brussels,

HOUSING

ALLOWING ME TO CHOOSE BETWEEN AN ADVISER AT MY BRANCH AND A REMOTE ONE. FOR MY BANK, IT’S A PRIORITY.

priority.bnpparibas.be RPM Brussels, TVA BE 0403.199.702

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EDUCATION

ANTWERP Antwerp International School | 03 543 9300 Veltwijcklaan 180, 2180 Ekeren www.ais-antwerp.be | admissions@ais-antwerp.be` D Y Patil International School | 03 271 0943 Kontichsesteenweg 40, 2630 Aartselaar www.dypisbelgium.be | kverbeeck@dypisbelgium.be Da Vinci International School | 03 216 1232 Verbondstraat 67, 2000 Antwerp | www.da-vinci.be International School Breda | +31 76 560 7870 Mozartlaan 27, 4837 EH Breda, the Netherlands www.isbreda.nl | info@isbreda.nl Lycée Français d’Anvers | 03 239 1889 Lamorinièrestraat 168A, 2018 Antwerp www.lfanvers.org | lfanvers@gmail.com

BIERGES Ecole Internationale Le Verseau Primary section: 01 023 1717 Secondary section: 01 023 1727 Rue du Wavre 60, 1301 Bièrges www.eiverseau.be

LEUVEN

International School of Leuven | 49 702 7060 Celestijnenlaan 46, 3001 Heverlee www.isleuven.org | info@isleuven.org

MOL European School Mol | 01 456 3101 Europawijk 100, 2400 Mol www.esmol.eu | dir@esmol.be

MONS Shape International School | 06 544 5726 Avenue de Sofia 717, 7010 Shape www.aco.nato.int/page137012059.aspx

LANGUAGE SCHOOLS De Rand | 02 456 9780 Kaasmaarkt 75, 1780 Wemmels | www.derand.be Fondation 9 | 02 627 5252 Avenue Louizalaan 485, 1050 Brussels www.fondation9.be

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EDUCATION

HIGHER EDUCATION

Many education facilities offer English-language courses.

The university system in Belgium is fairly vast with a significant number of foreign students studying international courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

With Brussels being the hub of European business, economy and politics, it is no surprise that there are many courses offered by both Belgian and international universities that centre around business.

The governance of the universities falls to the Flemish and French-speaking regions. However, many courses are taught in English, and there is a collection of international universities and schools.

BELGIAN UNIVERSITIES The KUL Katholieke Universiteit Leuven located near Brussels, in the city of Leuven, is the oldest existing Catholic university in the world, having been founded in 1425 by Pope Martin V. It is the oldest in the Low Countries, the biggest university in Belgium and remains an important centre of higher learning and scientific research catering to around 31,000 students, of which around 12 percent are international students. The university’s world-famous library (with its 30 subsidiaries) has more than four million books and about 15,000 periodicals.

The UCL Université Catholique de Louvain was formed as a result of changes in the education system. Originally part of K U Leuven, it was moved to a French-speaking area of Belgium (Brussels) around 1970 and now combines the traditional with the modern, attracting some of the most qualified students, researchers and teachers from Belgium, Europe and beyond.

The ULB Université Libre de Bruxelles is now the Belgian University with the highest rate of foreign students, constituting one third of the student population. It was founded in 1834 and incorporates 13 faculties and institutes, including

several university hospitals. It also manages zones devoted to research and contributed to the education of four Nobel Prize winners, the most recent being François Englert for his part in theorising the Higgs particle. The university is also a founding member of the International Forum of Public Universities (IFPU) and works in partnership with both the University of Oxford and University of Cambridge amongst other worldwide schools.

The first Dutch-speaking university in Belgium when formed in 1930, the University of Ghent is attended by more than 30,000 students, including a sizeable international crowd. It offers advanced degree programmes, many of them in English.

Programmes offered include: arts and philosophy, law, sciences, engineering, economics and business administration, agricultural and applied biological sciences, and pharmaceutical sciences.

The University of Liège, founded in 1817, is the public university of the Walloon Brussels Community and is part of the Wallonia-Europe University Academy. There are some 17,000 students across nine different faculties, with foreigners making up some 20 percent of the student population. Honorary degrees have been awarded to individuals such as Nelson Mandela, Yasser Arafat, Shimon Peres, and Salman Rushdie.

Vlerick Business School recently added a new campus in the centre of Brussels, in addition to its locations at the Leuven Campus and Ghent Campus in Belgium, and in St Petersburg, Russia. It is the only Belgian school to hold triple accreditation: from Equis, AMBA and the American AACSB label. It’s also Europe’s oldest business and management school, founded in 1953 by Professor André Vlerick. The school benefits from alliances with more than 40 international business schools, and every year around 6,800 people attend postgraduate management and executive development programmes.

BELGIUM EXPAT SURVIVAL GUIDE 2014 | WWW.EXPATICA.COM

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EDUCATION

The VUB Vrije Universiteit Brussel is the Dutch Language University in Brussels, initially formed as a part of the French-speaking Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) before becoming a university in its own right in 1970 when significant legislative changes heralded in a new educational era. Many courses are available in English, including Master’s and PhD degrees in management, engineering, international and legal cooperation, industrial development, medical and pharmaceutical research and marine studies.

BBA/MBA ACCREDITED BACHELOR'S & MASTER'S DEGREES BARCELONA MUNICH GENEVA MONTREUX ONLINE

INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITIES Several international institutions have been established as part of Belgian universities and colleges or simply set up to offer their own graduate and postgraduate programmes. Boston University in Brussels was the first school to offer graduate management degrees in Europe. After 40 years in Brussels, however, however, it closed this campus at the end of 2013. Several leading schools still offer a wide variety of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in English.

The Brussels School of International Studies (BSIS) is an integral part of the University of Kent at Brussels. Located in a newly acquired facility overlooking its partner schools, the BSIS offers MA, LLM, M.Phil. and PhD programmes in international relations, in association with Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB).

The College of Advertising and Design is a higher education college of art specialising in design, advertising, graphic and web design, interior architecture, and digital animation. It is the only college of art in Belgium and France to provide an English/American-style education and is attended by some 170 students.

CERIS offers a one-year Master’s course in international politics and a Master’s in development policy.

The College of Europe is a unique and innovative postgraduate institute of European studies.

Founded in 1948 and located in Bruges and in Natolin (Warsaw, Poland), it is financed by the

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EU Barcelona Ganduxer, 70 08021 Barcelona, Spain T: +34 93 201 81 71 info.bcn@euruni.edu EU governments and offers one-year Master’s degrees. Graduate studies are in international relations, law, political and administrative sciences, economics, and general European studies.

The Open University, which incorporates the Open University Business School, is Britain’s largest state-funded higher education institution with more than 240,000 students across Europe. The Open University specialises in supported distance learning designed for part-time adult education, and is triple accredited by AMBA, EQUIS and AACSB. In Brussels, the Business School offers management courses at all levels.

For several years, the United Business Institutes have been offering a quality MBA programme in the heart of Brussels, alongside their BA and DBA programmes. The school is able to offer European validation through the Middlesex University London, and also facilitates the transfer of business academic credits for both incoming and outgoing students.

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OUR VERY PRACTICAL BACHELOR WILL CHANGE YOUR FUTURE! BA (HONS) IN BUSINESS STUDIES 3-YEAR BACHELOR DEGREE • The opportunity to study Business in Brussels or Luxembourg.

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UNITED BUSINESS INSTITUTES - BRUSSELS Avenue Marnix, 20 B-1000 Brussels - Belgium Tel. 02 548 04 80 info@ubi.edu

• Strong academic course of study plus practical training.

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• Yearly in-company internships arranged for undergraduates.

UNITED BUSINESS

• International environment.

INSTITUTES - LUXEMBOURG

• A perfect preparation for a Masters abroad.

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• Program officially accredited.

Vesalius College Brussels

International Education in the Capital of Europe Bachelor programmes taught in English 3-year Bachelor’s degrees in: • Business • Communications • International Affairs Accreditation: Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organisation (NVAO) In association with

• Small, interactive classes • Student body of 50 + nationalities • Prestigious internship programme • Study Abroad programmes worldwide

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EDUCATION

The University of Maryland offers undergraduate and graduate courses, including Associate’s, Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes covering arts, science, business and management, information technology, and more.

In Belgium, it operates from three locations and has online courses as well.

Situated in Brussels, the Vesalius College is an American-style college, founded by the VUB and Boston University in 1987 to offer undergraduate education in English. The college offers a threeyear European Bachelor’s Degree in business (economics, European studies, international management, and technology management), communications, and international affairs (economics, European studies, history, and politics). Vesalius and its degree programmes are registered and accredited with the Flemish government in Belgium.

POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES Several of the colleges and universities offer postgraduate and Master’s degree programmes, in addition to some of the international universities listed above. Another institute is the Antwerp International Business School, an established private institution of higher

46

education providing a high-level business education. It is part of the International University of Belgium and offers Master’s programmes in business studies, business management, human resources, marketing, finance, operations management, as well as executive programmes.

The European Institute for Public Affairs, with locations also in Luxembourg, Maastricht and Barcelona, provides courses in European affairs oriented towards the practice of lobbying.

The ICHEC Business School, meanwhile, awards a Master’s degree in international business management or business science over a oneyear programme in English, and business management over two years. Bilingual courses encourage language skills.

The Solvay Business School offers an intensive one-year programme in Master’s in Economics, as well as a two-year economics programme and a Master of Business Engineering. These provide training in international management skills, and students may customise their program to specialise in European or international areas, networks and internships.

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EDUCATION

BELGIUM EXPAT SURVIVAL GUIDE 2014 | WWW.EXPATICA.COM

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EDUCATION

HIGHER EDUCATION European University | www.euruni.edu • EU Geneva | +41 22 779 2671 Quai du Sujet 18, 1201 Geneva, Switzerland info.gva@euruni.edu • EU Munich | +49 89 5502 9595 Theresienhöhe 28, 80339 Munich, Germany info.muc@euruni.edu • EU Barcelona | +34 9 3201 8171 Ganduxer 70, 08021 Barcelona, Spain info.bcn@euruni.edu Maastricht School of Management +31 43 387 0808 Endepolsdomein 150, 6229 Maastricht, The Netherlands www.msm.nl | admissions@msm.nl Rotterdam School of Management +31 10 408 2222 J-building, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50 3062 Rotterdam www.rsm.nl/mba | mba.info@rsm.nl SAE Institute Brussels | 02 647 9220 Rue Gachard 10, 1050 Ixelles brussels.sae.edu | brussels@sae.edu Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management | 02 650 6517 Avenue FD Roosevelt 42, 1050 Brussels www.solvay.edu/mba | mba.admissions@solvay.edu United Business Institutes (UBI) – Brussels 02 548 0480 Avenue Marnix 20, 1000 Brussels www.ubi.edu | info@ubi.edu

United International Business Schools (UIBS) Admissions: +41 44 201 1224 • UIBS Antwerp | 03 283 5126 International Education Center, 4th floor Meirbrug 1, 2000 Antwerp www.antwerp.uibs.org| info@antwerp.uibs.org • UIBS Brussels | 02 203 7780 International Education Center, 8th floor Avenue des Arts 10–11, 1210 Brussels www.brussels.uibs.org| info@brussels.uibs.org • UIBS Ghent | +32 9 296 2119 Regus Business Center, 2nd floor Gaston Crommenlaan 4, 9050 Ghent www.ghent.uibs.org | info@ghent.uibs.org Vesalius College | 02 614 8170 Pleinlaan 5, 1050 Brussels www.vesalius.edu | vesalius@vub.ac.be Vlerick Business School www.vlerick.com/en | info@vlerick.com • Brussels Campus | 02 225 4111 Av du Boulevard-Bolwerklaan 21, 1210 Brussels • Ghent Campus | 09 210 9711 Reep 1, 9000 Gent • Leuven Campus | 016 24 8811 Vlamingenstraat 83, 3000 Leuven • St Petersburg Campus | +7 812 331 7544 Birzhevaya Linia 16, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia

United Business Institutes (UBI) – Luxembourg 02 548 0480 Château de Wiltz, Rue du Château,35 L-9516 Wiltz, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg www.ubi.edu | info@ubi.edu

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EDUCATION

Internationale

INTERNATIONALE

DEUTSCHE SCHULE

iDSB

Deutsche Schule Brüssel

BRÜSSEL

Certified „Excellent International German School“ Above average examination results Innovative bilingual pre-school Individual support courses All-day school based on German educational guidelines Multilingualism Emphasis on natural sciences Canteen and snack bar Green campus Pleasant atmosphere Lange Eikstraat 71 1970 Wezembeek-Oppem phone +32 (0)2 785 01 30 fax +32 (0)2 785 01 43

www.idsb.eu

We visited most of the other international schools. BSB was the school we liked the best.”

Brann family from Australia (who chose BSB Primary for their children)

For more information visit

www.britishschool.be

in f o @ id s b . e u

pre-school • primary school stimulating curriculum • small class sizes • 1,30 0 students from ages 1-18 years • Between 60 and 70 nationalities • British-based curriculu m up to age 16 • French/English bilin gual education avail able across 8 Year Groups (ages 4-13 years) • Only school in Belgium to IB Diploma, A Levels and offer BTEC • Outstand ing academic results • Extraord inary choice of extra-curricul ar activities

More than 40 Years of Quality Education in a Caring Environment BEPS International School 23, Avenue Franklin Roosevelt 1050 Brussels, Belgium +32 (0)2 648.43.11 info@beps.com • www.beps.com

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49

HOUSING

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JOBS

FINDING A JOB

Language is key in Belgium’s multilingual workplace.

If you are competing in the national job market, you will likely need an excellent command of French or Dutch, depending on where the job is based – sometimes both if in Brussels. A third language such as English is either a bonus or a job requirement. In the international arena you are certainly going to need English with French or Dutch as a working language.

WHERE TO LOOK As you can imagine, finding work in this multilingual country depends very much on your linguistic abilities. If you can communicate comfortably in French or Dutch, then the weekend editions of national newspapers are excellent places to start, such as Le Soir, Het Laatste Nieuws, and De Standaard.

For English speakers, Expatica (jobs.expatica. com), and news providers The European Voice and The Bulletin, advertise international positions typically in managerial and consultancy roles, although a large range exists. You’ll also find several recruitment agencies focused on expatriates, offering jobs at various levels.

Headhunting agencies are reasonably common in Belgium, but tend to specialise in executive positions.

WORK PERMITS DO YOU NEED ONE? If you have a permanent residence permit for an unlimited period of time, you will not need to obtain a work permit. Likewise, EU, EEA and Swiss nationals do not need a work visa, and previous work permit requirements for Romanians and Bulgarians will be lifted as of 1 January 2014.

Nationals from the newer EU member, Croatia, will require a work permit for the time being.

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NON-EU NATIONALS • Type A: This type of visa covers any employment for the duration of your residence in Belgium for up to 10 years. To apply for this you must have resided legally in Belgium for a continuous period of five years, or have lived and worked in Belgium for at least four years under a Type B permit, or be the spouse of someone who has.

Under certain condition, there is scope to apply after two or three years.

• Type B: This type is the more usual work permit and is valid for a single, specified employer for up to 12 months. It is renewable but a decision to renew will be based on the state of the local labour market. If you change jobs your permit is invalidated. To obtain this type of work permit your potential employer must apply for authorisation from the regional employment office. Once this is issued you are automatically eligible for the Type B permit. A medical certificate will be required if it is your first employment in Belgium.

• Type C: Temporary work permit, also valid for up to 12 months and renewable. This permit covers temporary residents and those waiting for a decision on their residency, such as spouses of EEA nationals or diplomatic workers, students, asylum seekers and so on. It is dependent on the person retaining their residence permit.

Generally, in order for a type B work permit to be approved, the area of work has to have a skills shortage or be in a special category (for example, highly qualified or executive staff, technical experts, professional sportspeople, temporary staff, au pairs, performing artists). It may also be required to show that the role cannot be filled with an EEA national, and that the intended employee has the necessary qualifications.

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JOBS

STARTING WORK Once you have found a job, there can be a probationary period of up to two weeks for blue collar workers, and anywhere between one and six months for white collar workers, if their annual wage does not exceed a certain amount set by law, usually around EUR36–37,000. White-collar employees earning more than this may have a trial period of up to 12 months. During this period, either side can terminate the employment with seven days’ notice.

The average working week is 38 hours, although longer working hours are common, particularly in international institutions. Although Belgian labour law contains a general prohibition against overtime, there are exceptions where overtime regulations do not apply; so be prepared not to receive time off in lieu or compensation for working overtime.

In Belgium, you must work for one year before any holiday entitlement is paid. It is then calculated

on the basis of how many months you were in the job during the previous calendar year. If you worked a full calendar year, you are then entitled to a minimum of 20 days. In addition there are 10 legal holidays in Belgium, many of them religious days. If a legal day falls at the weekend, you are entitled to a day off in lieu. You are also entitled to a holiday allowance, which varies according to the type of job.

Deductions from your salary will take the form of social contributions and withholding tax. Social contributions are collected by the National Social Security Office (NSSO) and cover replacement income (pensions, unemployment assistance etc.) and supplementary income (health care, family allowances etc.). These equate to 13.07 percent of gross salary for private sector employees.

Withholding tax is based on gross taxable income.

The rate varies depending on a number of quite complex rules.

RECRUITMENT AGENCIES NATIONAL

BRUSSELS

Actiris | www.actiris.be Adecco | www.adecco.be Axis | be.axis.jobs Hays | www.hays.be Kelly Services | www.kellyservices.com Manpower | www.manpower.be Randstad | www.randstad.be Robert Half | www.roberthalf.be

Advice and Executive Search | www.imb.be Daoust Interim | www.daoust.be Excel Careers | www.excel-careers.com Excel Interim | www.excel-interim.com MCP International Executive Search | www.mcp-int.com Pro-link Europe | www.prolink-europe.com Rainbow Resources Group | www.rainbow-careers.be Russell Reynolds Associates | www.russellreynolds.com Spencer Stuart | www.spencerstuart.com

ANTWERP Bakker and Partners | www.bakker.be Consultants in Personnel Management www.cpm-hrm.be

ONLINE AGENCIES ELM | www.labourmobility.com Jobs Career | www.jobscareer.be Jobs in Brussels | www.jobsinbrussels.com Monster | www.monster.be StepStone | www.stepstone.bet

BELGIUM EXPAT SURVIVAL GUIDE 2014 | WWW.EXPATICA.COM

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HEALTH

HEALTHCARE

Belgium’s quality healthcare system is regarded as one the most accessible in Europe.

In Belgium, a mandatory healthcare system allows for the partial or full refund of certain medical costs, depending on criteria fixed by law. As in most countries, the system divides itself into state and private, though fees are payable in both. Anyone working in Belgium pays social security contributions through their salary, and in order to be covered, must join a health insurance scheme run by one of the private or mutual insurers (called mutuelle/mutualiteit).

These associations are responsible for refunding a fixed percentage of medical care and costs.

Residents are free to choose which scheme they join, although employees may get automatically enrolled in one through their work.

Registration is also essential for obtaining a Carte SIS (Social Identity Card), which is a required when visiting a doctor, hospital or pharmacy.

After a resident has registered, all dependents (such as children or a non-working spouse) are automatically covered under the same social insurance scheme. The SIS card is set to be replaced by a new electronic identification (the eID card), effective 1 January 2014, which will enable providers to have access to the database of mutual societies.

DOCTORS General practitioners can be found in private practices or attached to clinics and hospitals.

You have the freedom to consult or register with whom ever you choose, as with specialist consultants, but the decision is often based on location, language or recommendation.

You can speak with neighbours, colleagues or try asking on community.expatica.com for recommendations when you first arrive; everyone knows of a doctor, or has heard of one with a good reputation. Embassies usually keep lists of doctors who can work in your language, though it is worth noting that most doctors have a good understanding of English.

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The state mutuelle/mutualiteit scheme allows patients to choose their healthcare provider as long as they confirm the provider is registered with one of the insurance companies. Check the golden pages directory for an entire list of doctors in your area. It’s always worth checking whether a doctor is registered in the national health service (conventionné/geconventioneerd) or private. Some doctors do both – possibly working at a hospital and in their own private practice.

You may need to take cash with you, as some doctors do not offer payment by card of any type.

If you have state social security, reimbursement rates are calculated but only after you’ve paid up front. If you are on a private scheme, or are uninsured, you will pay the whole lot there and then. Therefore it’s always worth checking fees before you book an appointment.

Your health card will be swiped at the consultation.

You’ll need to provide a certificate to your health insurance scheme for reimbursement, which depending on your scheme and personal status (age, severity of illnesses, etc.), can be up to 75 percent. Some GPs and hospitals have arranged with mutuals to reduce payments at the point of care, so it pays to check your insurer’s contacts.

DENTISTS The majority of dentists in Belgium are private, though there are those who accept partpayment on state insurance. Dentists in Belgium have an agreed fee scale agreement (known as the convention) with the social security, which sets the level of reimbursement for patients for basic treatment. Make it a priority to check when registering, as the fee differentials can be huge. For any specialist work, such as crowns and bridges, the dentist may well ask how you will pay and offer you different quotations.

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SIMPLIFY YOUR HEALTH COVER IN BELGIUM & DIRECTLY FEEL AT HOME WITH OUR VIP SERVICE Moving abroad can be stressful, especially when facing administrative differences and new paperwork. Partena simplifies and manage your health cover in Belgium: subscription to the social security, refund of health costs, hospitalization cover, etc. 7000 expats trusted us last year. Contact us now, and feel directly at home.

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HEALTH

To qualify for health insurance reimbursement you’ll need to visit the dentist at least once a year. In the big cities, Brussels in particular, there are international dentistry practices, though they can be considerably more expensive.

HOSPITALS As with general practitioners, you can arrange to see a specialist of your choice at any hospital.

You can also walk into ‘emergency outpatients’ for immediate treatment; though as in other countries, do not use this as a GP replacement.

You may be charged a non-refundable small fee if you use emergency services without a referral.

You should remember to have your insurance card or other identifiable means of payment with you, though emergency treatment will not be refused if you don’t.

For inpatient stays, most hospitals will charge a daily fee, which is dependent on your circumstances (unemployed pay less, for example), and the length of your stay (drastically reduces after the first day). You may also need to take things you need – such as a towel and

soap. In Brussels, the 11 big public hospitals are organized under the Iris association (www.iris-hopitaux.be).

EMERGENCY TREATMENT In the event of an emergency you can call 100 or 112 and an ambulance will arrive quickly and take you to the nearest emergency centre.

When you call they will need to know the type of emergency, address (municipality, street, house number, locality etc.) and the number of people in danger. Sometimes, a decision may be made to admit you to the best centre suited for your needs, e.g. a specialist burns unit.

PHARMACIES Chemists are ubiquitous in Belgium – look for the green crosses. There is a rota system for certain chemists to stay open 24-hours, usually listed at any pharmacy or in local newspapers. You can also call 0900 10 500 for the chemist on-duty, or enter your postcode on www.servicedegarde.be to find the nearest one. Prescriptions must be paid for on collection, but the pharmacy will issue a receipt for you to seek reimbursement.

HEALTH SERVICE PROVIDERS IntegraGlobal 29/30 Fitzroy Square, London +44 333 405 3003 | www.integraglobal.com member-care@integraglobal.com Now Health Suite 3/4, Coliseum Building Watchmoor Park, Surrey GU15 3YL +44 127 660 2110 | www.now-health.com EuropeSales@now-health.com Partena Business & Expats Boulevard Anspach 1, 1000 Brussels +32 (0)2 549 7540 | www.bepartena.be corporate-relations@partenamut.be

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WWW.EXPATICA.COM | BELGIUM EXPAT SURVIVAL GUIDE 2014

EXPATICA DATE

Expand your dating horizons.

Register for FREE at: www.expatica.com/dating

HEALTH

HOSPITALS Visit www.iris-hopitaux.be for a full listing of hospitals in Belgium.

ANTWERP Algemeen Ziekenhuis St. Augustinus | 03 443 3011 Oosterveldlaan, 2610 Wilrijk | www.gvagroup.be Koningin Paola Kinderziekenhuis Antwerpen (Children’s Hospital) | 03 280 3111 Lindendreef 1, 2020 Antwerp | www.zna.be ZNA: www.zna.be Full list of medical centres on website.

• St-Elisabeth Ziekenhuis | 03 234 4040 Leopoldstraat 26, 2000 Antwerp • St-Erasmus Ziekenhuis | 03 270 8011 Luitenant Lippenslaan 55, 2140 Borgerhout • Middelheim Ziekenhuis | 03 280 3111 Lindendreef 1, 2020 Antwerp

BRUSSELS Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Brugmann Site Victor Horta (the main of three sites for Brugmann) 02 477 2111 Place Arthur Van Gehuchten 4, 1020 Laeken www.chu-brugmann.be Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Saint-Pierre 02 506 7141 | Rue Haute 322, 1000 Brussels www.stpierre-bru.be

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Centre Hospitalier Etterbeek-Ixelles 02 641 4111 | Rue Jean Paquot 63, 1050 Brussels www.iris-hopitaux.be Chirec: www.chirec.be Full list of medical centres on website.

• Parc Leopold Clinic | 02 287 5111 Rue Froissart 38, 1040 Etterbeek • Edith Cavell Clinic | 02 340 4040 Rue Edith Cavell 32, 1180 Uccle Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel | 02 477 4111 Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels www.uzbrussel.be Cliniques Universitaires St Luc UCL | 02 764 1111 Avenue Hippocrates 10, 1200 Brussels www.saintluc.be Cliniques de l’Europe | www.cliniquesdeleurope.be • St Elisabeth | 02 614 2000 Avenue De Fré 206, 1180 Brussels • St Michel | 02 614 3000 Rue de Linthout150, 1040 Brussels Hôpital Erasme ULB | 02 555 3111 Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels www.erasme.ulb.ac.be

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HEALTH

Hôpital Universitaire Des Enfants Reine Fabiola (Children’s Hospital) | 02 477 3311 Avenue Crocq 15, 1020 Brussels | www.huderf.be Institute Jules Bordet | 02 541 3111 boulevard de Waterloo 121, 1000 Brussels www.bordet.be

University Hospital of Gent | 09 332 2111 De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Gent | www.uzgent.be

LIÈGE Centre Hospitalier Régional de la Citadelle 04 225 6111 Boulevard du Douzième de Ligne 1, 4000 Liège www.chrcitadelle.be

GENT

Centre Hospitalière Universitaire de Liège 04 366 7111 Domaine Universitaire du Sart Tilman Building B35, 4000 Liège | www.chuliege.be

Algemeen Ziekenhuis Maria Middelares 09 260 6060 Kliniekstraat 27, 9000 Gent | www.azmmsj.be Algemeen Ziekenhuis Sint-Lucas | 09 224 6111 Groenebriel 1, 9000 Gent | www.azstlucas.be AZ Jan Palfijn | 09 224 7111 Henri Dunantlaan 5, 9000 Gent | www.janpalfijn.be

CHC Saint-Joseph | 04 224 8111 Rue de Hesbaye 75, 4000 Liège | www.chc.be

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HEALTH

FITNESS CLUBS

In recent years, new health clubs have opened in Brussels at an impressive rate.

Many are allied to hotels and are at the top end of the market. Before parting with a stash of cash though, check out what your local commune offers as well as the smaller independent gyms and fitness centres in your neighbourhood.

Ashtanga Yoga Institute of Brussels | 02 340 6781 Chaussée d’Alsemberg 610, 1180 Uccle Ashtanga gives a good workout with courses at all levels – mainly in French, but in English on request.

Aspria Arts-Loi | 02 508 0800 Rue de l’Industrie 26, 1040 Brussels Aspria’s centre-piece is a 21-metre swimming pool and it offers a gym, health spa and beauty treatments next door. Its location means it is clearly aimed at the EU and executive crowd.

Aspria Avenue Louise | 02 610 4066 Avenue Louise 71B, 1050 Brussels If you’ve got deep pockets, your money will be well spent at this ultimate pampering spot in the posh Conrad Hotel. Everything here is five-star; the pool, the gym, the fitness rooms, and the beauty treatments.

Aspria Royal La Rasante | 02 609 1902 Rue Sombre 56, 1200 Brussels Aspria Royal La Rasante is recognised for its sporting history and is a family-oriented club where members can take advantage of the landscaped gardens and outdoor activities.

Basic-Fit | www.basic-fit.be This chain has many locations around Belgium and offers cheap deals on membership. Their website can show you the closest one to you.

David Lloyd Uccle | 02 379 3200 Drève de Lorraine 41, 1180 Brussels This complex has 11 tennis courts, squash courts, two swimming pools, and fitness rooms.

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Corpus Studios Flagey | 02 513 0766 Rue Borrens 33, 1050 Ixelles Corpus Studios Caroly | 02 513 0766 Rue Caroly 33, 1050 Ixelles Kelly McKinnon started Corpus in 2000 and offers Pilates, Gyrotonics and yoga in collective, private and semi-private tuition. Languages spoken include English, French, Spanish, Italian and Greek.

Golden Club | 02 538 1906 Place du Châtelain 33, 1050 Ixelles This is a gym for those interested in serious workouts, so don’t expect the luxury of some of the capital’s more pampering health clubs.

Sportcity | 02 773 1820 Avenue Salomé 2, 1150 Woluwe-St-Pierre For a small admission fee you can enjoy an Olympic-size swimming pool, tennis and squash courts, as well as saunas, baths and steam rooms.

Winners | 02 280 0270 Rue Bonneels 13, 1210 Saint-Josse-ten-Noode Popular with the EU crowd, this friendly nononsense club has nine glass-fronted squash courts, aerobic rooms and a climbing wall, plus sports for kids.

World Class Health Academy | 02 505 5990 Renaissance Hotel | Rue du Parnasse 19, 1050 Ixelles Also in Diegem, Antwerp and Berchem. Caters largely to expense-account executives and EU civil servants.

Wellness Paladins | 02 400 0096 Bvd St-Michel 47, 1040 Brussels This company provides wellness services to individuals and companies, offering turnkey or tailor-made solutions in terms of incentives, gifts, rewards, team building, or corporate wellness.

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SHOPPING

SHOPPING IN BELGIUM

Belgium’s shopping has reasonable prices and a decent supply of international goods.

Shopping in Belgium is a fulfilling experience, with luxury shopping arcades and pedestrianised streets in the major cities, to quirky antique and flea markets dotting most towns. Hundreds of open markets operate in small city squares throughout Belgium in the week, with the biggest markets usually held Sundays.

centres, and Ikea or Hema is always an option.

Most of the larger stores offer lowest price guarantees and tend to have decent websites for online comparison shopping. Some of these will be available in English, but many will not, and a web browser with an automatic translation service can be useful.

Otherwise, day-to-day grocery shopping is straightforward with plenty of large super and hypermarkets to choose from, many of which have international sections. These tend to be closed on Sundays, but usually open for at least 12 hours every other day of the week from around 8am to 8pm. There is a lot of choice between mainstream and discount supermarkets so there is usually something nearby to suit any budget.

The local department stores offer good variety but can be rather soulless. One of the best options is to explore the charming local and independent stores. There are some exceptionally pretty towns around Belgium and wandering around offers a rewarding experience, both in terms of the locale and the calibre of the boutiques you may find. For cutting-edge design, Antwerp is considered the fashion hub, with many designers working and selling there.

Home and garden stores are easily accessible.

Brico is Belgium’s largest DIY and gardening chain, and you can find anything for the house here.

Delhaize has the distinct edge on internet shopping and home delivery. Caddyhome stocks most of what you would find in the supermarket while Wineworld specialises in an impressive selection of world wine delivered to your door.

When it comes to furniture and furnishing, logistics can become an issue. Many of the bigger suppliers are located out of town with poor public transport, while city centres comprise mostly cheaper (less-tasteful) goods, or highend designer pieces – and not a lot in between.

Habitat, however, is available in some major

There is a number of expat and international shops around, particularly in Brussels. For those outside of Brussels, most will take orders online or by phone. Almost every nationality is catered for and it makes things a little easier when trying to find that little slice of home, wherever that may be.

Shops are generally open Monday–Saturday, with many inner-city shops preferring a 10am opening. They are exceptionally open the two Sundays before Christmas and also on the first Sunday of the New Year. Sales take place in January and July – dates are strictly government controlled.

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SHOPPING

FOOD FROM HOME A small selection of American, British, Spanish, Italian and kosher products can be found in the larger Delhaize, Carrefour or GB supermarkets.

It’s also worth checking Chinese supermarkets for specific British or American brands. Otherwise, specialty supermarkets and stores listed here can help satisfy your cravings.

IRISH Jack O’Shea | 02 732 5351 Rue le Titien 30

ANTWERP

Piola.libri | 02 736 9391 Rue Franklin 66–68

CHINESE Sun Wah Supermarket | 03 233 1988 Van Wesenbekestraat 16–18 AMERICAN Graré | 03 449 4118 Prins Boudewijnlaan 175, Wilrijk JEWISH Hoffy’s | 03 234 3535 Lange Kievitstraat 52 MEDITERRANEAN Exotic International Market Oude Vaartplaats | Saturday 8am to 4pm

BRUSSELS

BRITISH Stonemanor | www.stonemanor.uk.com Steenhofstraat 28, Everberg | 02 759 4979 Rue Theophille Delbar 8a, Waterloo 02 351 6353 CHINESE Kam Yuen | 02 511 4868 Rue de la Vierge Noire 2–4

ITALIAN Casa Italiana | 02 733 4070 Rue Archimède 37–39

JAPANESE Tagawa | 02 648 5911 Chaussée de Vleurgat 119 MEDITERRANEAN Midi Market Around Gare du Midi | Sunday 6am to 1pm SCANDINAVIAN/NORDIC Branches of Ikea | www.ikea.be Gourmet Int. Food & Gifts Rue Archimède 59, Brussels | 02 735 1138 Allé Petit Paris 5, Waterloo | 02 353 0430 SPANISH ABC Mateos | 02 512 7547 Rue Sainte Catherine 46 Economato Español Marisol | 02 521 4736 Europe esplanade 9 España Calidade | 02 537 2387 Avenue de la Porte de Hal 63

FRENCH Oliviers & Co | 02 502 7511 Rue au Beurre 28 Rob | 02 771 2060 Boulevard de la Woluwe 28

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OUT AND ABOUT

CINEMAS IN BRUSSELS There are in excess of 30 cinemas in the Brussels region, and the mega UGC (www.ugc.be) and Kinepolis (www.kinepolis.be) chains dominate the cinema scene. Their multi-screen complexes show mainstream films mostly in the original language, although subtitled movies and those specifically broadcast in a particular language are clearly labelled by a coded system. The Cinenews website (www.cinenews.be) is a great resource for up-todate listings. Brussels also has an important art house circuit showing Belgian and world cinema.

UGC De Brouckèreplein 38 | Avenue de la Toison d’Or 8 0900 10 440 Among the busiest UGC cinemas are those located on De Brouckère and Toison d’Or in the city centre, both of which show the latest blockbuster movies from Hollywood and Europe.

KINEPOLIS Bruparck, Boulevard du Centenaire 20 | 0900 00 555 Head to Kinepolis if you’re looking to watch a blockbuster movie. You will find that the latest releases top the bill.

ACTORS STUDIO Petite rue des Bouchers 16 | 02 512 1696 This nostalgic cinema is hidden by the lobby of Floris Arlequin Hotel, so follow the posters to find it. There’s a good mix of Hollywood movies and independent films, often in the original language with French and Dutch subtitles, so do check if it’s a foreign film and your only language is English.

ADVENTURE CINEMA Rue des Fripiers 57 | 02 219 9202 One of Brussels’ oldest operating cinemas, recent renovations cost almost a million to restore it to its former ‘50s glory. In the red, blue or violet rooms, you can watch a good mix of international blockbuster and art house films in original version.

CINEMA GALERIES 26 Galarie de la Reine 26 | 02 514 7498 This cinema is located in the old premises of the cherished independent film house, Cinema Arenberg, except now with upgraded screens and digital projectors. This cinema was where Belgium’s first public film was shown in 1895. It shows mostly contemporary films.

CINEMA VENDOME Chaussée de Wavre 18, Ixelles | 02 502 3700 Don’t let first impressions put you off this ‘50s cinema, as you might not be impressed when walking into the somewhat dark and ageing entrance. However, there is a certain charm and intimacy to watching films here, and an eclectic film selection. Located in the Porte de Namur area.

CINEMATEK Rue Baron Horta 9 | 02 551 1900 On the film scene since 1938, the formerly named Cinemathèque Royal de Belgique (Royal Belgium Film Archive) restores and archives old films and gives regular public showings. The film museum is housed in the BOZAR (Palais des Beaux-Arts).

FLAGEY Place Sainte Croix | 02 641 1010 A tiny but stylish cinema in the wonderful Art Deco Flagey arts complex. In its short life it has gained a reputation for being a true world cinema. It frequently shows movie cycles in collaboration with Cinematex, as well as unreleased films and documentaries.

NOVA Rue d’Arenberg 3 | 02 511 2477 More than 15 years as a non-profit organisation, Nova is a benchmark for alternate and unconventional independent film. Movies usually have a social context and an edgy underground feel. There is a range of monthly events, including open screen nights when anyone can showcase their short-film projects.

STYX Rue de l’Arbre Bénit 72 | 02 512 2102 This old neighbourhood cinema is the smallest in Brussels (two rooms in a townhouse), but its size belies the quality of its programs, from themed seasons to modern Belgian films. It also runs impressive retrospective seasons showing classic European films.

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BARS IN BELGIUM Beer and bar life are an ingrained part of Belgian culture. Here is our guide to Belgium’s best and most traditional bars, perfect for discovering a slice of local life and impressing your visitors over a pint of Witbier.

Cafe Vlissinghe | Blekersstraat 2

ANTWERP

BRUSSELS

Den Engel | Grote Markt 3

A la Mort Subite | Rue Montagne aux Herbes Potagères 7

The Angel is as much a part of Antwerp life as Rubens and fashion. Situated in the middle of town, this historic bar has no pretensions, no grand style, but the usual crowds give it a buzzy edge.

Kulminator | Vleminckveld 32 This is a classic bar renowned for its range of beers – up to 800 in bottles, plus a huge choice on draught – including vintage beers some decades old. Tiny, cosy and run by a married couple, it isn’t the easiest to find tucked away in a side street.

De Pelikaan | Melmarkt 14 The Pelikaan makes no effort to dress up or flaunt itself; it’s cosy, dark, and attracts artsy types and fulsome philosophers, sitting in the cathedral’s shadow.

De Vagant | Reyndersstraat 25 This is where to come for a good glass of Genever (or Jenever), the fiery gin-like spirit. There are 200 types on offer, with a restaurant upstairs serving food. Take lessons from the locals – they sip rather than down it in one.

BRUGES Brugs Beertje | Kemelstraat 5 Beertje is like a Dutch brown cafe – dark, moody and atmospheric. The beer menu boasts 300 beers on offer, although be sure to sample the beer of the month – the Hairy Bikers did likewise when visiting Bruges’ ‘Little Bear’.

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The oldest pub in Bruges has quenched thirsts since 1515. Tucked down a side street, the decor and interior retain a sense of history. Try a game of boules in the garden during the summer.

For a slice of old Brussels life, this cavernous and rowdy bar doesn’t lack for atmosphere, with its long rows of tables for chattering, yellowing walls, and its own Mannekin Pis. It is the perfect place for a Kriek on draught, and the food isn’t bad either.

Le Bier Circus | Rue de l’Enseignement 57 As the name implies, this basic emporium of beer stocks a couple hundred varieties, all bound in a special beer menu. There’s a unique glass collection to match the rare and unusual beers, and it’s one of the few places to have Chimay blanche on tap.

Moeder Lambic Original | Rue de la Savoie 68 Sitting in the shadow of the St Gillie town hall, this tiny wooden tavern with benches and scrubbed tables has over 1,000 beers. Some of the rarer bottles cost as much as a vintage wine. Its more modern sister bar, Moeder Lambic Fontainas, is situated at Place Fontainas 8.

Cirio | Rue de la Bourse 18 A minute from the Grand Place and you land in the 19th century in this bar (after all, it first opened in 1886), with its original art nouveau wallpaper and fittings. A thorough selection of mostly bottled beer is supplemented by the famous half-en-half, a mixed glass of still and sparkling wine.

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OUT AND ABOUT

La Clef d’Or | Place du Jeu de Balle 1

GHENT

Opening early in the morning, this cafe-bar serves up beer and basic food to market traders and punters. Sunday morning finds it at its maddest with the Maitre D. barking his orders to the staff and an accordionist vying for dominance.

De Dulle Griet | Vrijdagsmarkt 50

Le Fleur en Papier Doré | Rue des Alexiens 55 This old bar, on a steep hill just below the Sablon, was the hangout of the Brussels Surrealists, and their scribblings and drawing can still be seen on the walls. It was under threat of closure until a group of die-hards clubbed together to save it for posterity.

Monk | Rue Sainte Catherine 42 Monk looks like it has been there forever.

The house dates from the 17th century, and the interior is impressively authentic despite managing to attain a contemporary style. The great range, including hard-to-find artisanal beers, makes this place popular with a whole range of youngish locals and tourists.

The Griet took a leap of faith many years ago and became the first bar to specialise in Flemish beers. Because of that it gets its fair share of tourists but is also used by locals. You may be asked to exchange a beer for a shoe, which then gets hauled into the air in a basket where it hangs until the drinker has paid up and returned their glass. (This quaint tradition evidently stops you walking out with one of the specialised beer glasses.)

Patrick Foley’s | Recollettenlei 10 Every town or city has an Irish bar and Ghent is no different. Patrick Foley’s, which was opened in 1997, has developed into one of the most popular venues with both tourists and locals who are searching for a pint of Guinness.

A La Bécasse | Rue de Tabora 11 This family-owned bar since 1877 is situated close to the Grand Place, and is a typical Belgian bar with wooden decor and long benches to accommodate drinkers.

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WEEKEND BREAKS

Nowhere in Belgium is too far, so it’s easy to escape for a rural or beach retreat.

With most destinations easily accessible in under a few hours, Belgium is the ideal place for weekend exploring. Here are some ideas for getting away from it all.

TAKING THE PLUNGE Let the original Spa take away the stress of modern life. The eponymous town of Spa is located in the heart of the Ardennes. Its sulphurous waters were originally discovered by the Romans, although it was another half century before it became famous as a resort. After falling into 19th-century disrepair and disregard, Spa has been transformed since 2003 into a magnificent therapy and relaxation centre, worthy of a new millennium. The water is a relaxing temperature of around 32 degrees Celsius.

DIPPING YOUR TOES The Belgian coastline is only 65 kilometers long, but it embraces the best of kiss-me-quick seaside activities, sophisticated living and wildlife sanctuaries. Ostend is a great place to head if you want a taste of royal Belgium, once known as the Queen of Belgian Resorts.

The Fort Napoleon, built in 1812, is the only intact Napoleonic fortress left in Europe, while Leopold’s 390-metre gallery can be found at the western end of the promenade. Without doubt the crowning glory of the postwar period is the Ostend Casino, built in 1953. You can enjoy Ostend’s attractions during a tour of the city on the miniature train or by horse-drawn carriage (www.visitoostende.be/en).

Knokke-Heist is a much more upmarket resort, where wealthy Belgians keep swanky seaside homes and where the shops, restaurants and beach clubs are all designer. A short way north, close to the Dutch border, is Zwin, a protected area of natural beauty.

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A great way to explore the enchanting Belgian coastline is by the Kusttram (www.dekusttram.be), which is a coastal tram that runs its entire length from De Panne on the French border to KnokkeHeist close to the Dutch border. Trams run through Ostende every 10 minutes during the summer and make almost 70 stops along the entire stretch of the North Sea coastline, calling in at 15 towns en route. Think of it as a coastal hop-on hop-off tour, with many beautiful sights along the way.

WANDERING THE ARDENNES The Ardennes, in the south of the country, covers the three provinces of Namur, Luxembourg and Liège and is an area of outstanding beauty. The gentle but rugged countryside of the Ardennes is full of heritage, history and charm, but it equally serves as an ideal location for truly experiencing the natural environment whether it be by walking, climbing, cycling, horse riding, fishing, canoeing, or even kayaking. It can get quite touristy in the summer, but there’s always a spot to escape to, especially if you have a car. In the winter months the Ardennes becomes a haven for skiing enthusiasts, with the natural contours of the land creating three alpine pistes – the highest point, the Baraque de Fraiture, stands at 652 metres, making it ideal for downhill and cross country skiing. See www.wallonie-tourisme.be.

Dinant is a spectacular day trip from Brussels.

Overlooked by its hilltop citadel on a 100foot cliff and dating back to 1051, it’s an idyllic location along the river Meuse. The local tourist office offers downloadable audio tours to seven of their historical sights (www.dinant-tourisme. be). Besides a number of abbeys, the Collegiate and Notre-Dame churches and the grotto of Dinant with its rock formations are other popular attractions, making it perfect for a day out for couples or groups with a love of history.

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OUT AND ABOUT

St-Hubert also has a railway station and is a perfect base for setting out on cycling or walking activities. It’s named after the patron saint of hunters, which explains why this is the centre of hunt land and why its restaurants specialise in game.

CARNIVAL TIME Carnival is an important part of Belgian cultural heritage and happens every year at Lent, mostly in smaller towns and villages in Wallonia. The most famous carnival is in Binche, not far from Charleroi (www.carnavaldebinche.be).

The Carnaval de Binche is several hundred years old and has been listed by UNESCO because of its cultural significance and longevity. There are strict rules for taking part; only men born in Binche can don the Gilles costume. The costumes are wonderfully outrageous and carry strange, secret symbols. The festivities last three days (the best day is Shrove Tuesday), culminating in a parade where boys throw blood oranges into the crowd (as gifts, not missiles, so are not for throwing back).

The Malmédy carnival involves masked men in hats decorated with ostrich feathers, grabbing at onlookers with their long wooden pincers hapetchâr (flesh snatchers). They won’t let go until you say sorry.

In nearby Stavelot, the Carnaval de la Laetare des Blancs-Moussis is renowned for its Lenten parade of a couple hundred local men clad in white monks’ robes and hoods with long red noses, making their way through the town throwing confetti and swinging at bystanders with inflated dried pig bladders.

In Geraardsbergen on the first Sunday of Lent is the Tonnekensbrand. The mayor, councillors and aldermen are presented with a glass of wine with small live fish inside. They drink a mouthful and swallow a fish before pretzels are handed out, iconic of Christian symbolism.

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UTILITIES IN BELGIUM How to set up electricity, telephone, internet and TV in Belgium.

UTILITIES

PHONE AND INTERNET

There are both national and regional providers covering the Belgian energy market, offering plenty of choice when it comes to setting up your electricity, gas, telephone and water supply.

Landlines in Belgium must be taken out with Belgacom, the national provider of telephone lines. A subscription activates the line and you are then free to sign up for telephone and internet services from any company.

You will need to set up your utility suppliers when purchasing a house, or you can request a transfer if your new home was previously connected.

You can find out about suppliers in your region at www.test-achats.be or www.brugel.be. If you have just arrived, you will need to show identity when connecting all utilities.

The energy supply for rental properties is likely to already be set up but utility bills are usually due in addition to your monthly rent, so expect additional outgoings on top. Payment is usually made by bank transfer or direct debit.

The energy market is regulated by the national regulator CREG (Commission de Régulation de l’Electricité et du Gaz). In Flanders, the regulation is overseen by VREG, the Flemish regulator.

Electrabel is the major electricity supplier in Belgium. The company held a monopoly prior to the privatisation of the sector in 2003. It is still used by the majority of households and businesses, but there are also other competitive providers, some shown below. Many of the electricity suppliers also offer gas supply services and package tariffs. Silbelga and Electrabel are two main gas providers. Electricity is relatively expensive in Belgium compared to many other EU countries.

Standard electricity in Belgium is 230 volts and the electrical plugs use two round prongs.

You may need adapters to convert electrical appliances brought from abroad.

Belgacom is the leading provider of domestic telephone lines and internet, although a variety of companies are diversifying their services, especially with the rise of package deals. Internet and WiFi services can be unlimited or based on a fixed data usage per month. You can find a list of providers on the Belgian ISP Association (www.ispa.be).

To activate your telephone or internet connection with Belgacom, you can make an appointment online, at a branch, or by calling 0800 55 800. You must be over 18 and provide an ID. Afterward you can sign up with your preferred provider.

When it comes to mobile phones, there are three main providers to choose from – Base, Mobistar and Belgacom/Proximus, although mobile services are increasingly being included in combination deals, such as those offered by Telenet. A Telecoms Law in 2012 gave more power for users to change providers midcontract, and innovative new packages are sprouting up to attract new clients.

Main telephone suppliers Belgacom | Belgian Telecom | IP Nexia | Mondial Telecom Main internet providers Belgacom | Scarlet | Numericable | Voo | Telenet

Main suppliers: Electrabel | Silbelga | Eni | Essent | Luminus | Lampiris (green)

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TELEVISION Television licences have been scrapped in both the Flemish-speaking region and the Brussels region, but you will need to pay a fee if you live in the Wallonia region – currently EUR 100. This is paid per household and not per television set.

A tax also needs to be paid to use car radios – one per car. You should file a ‘declaration’ at your local commune within 30 days (also downloadable from www.wallonie.be). Belgium operates an unusual system for the annual payment of licences, determined by a person’s surname. Those with surnames beginning with A – J must pay in April while those with surnames beginning with K – Z must pay in October.

Almost all households are served by cable television. It is broadcast by three separate organisations, French, Dutch and German, with some overseas channels also provided.

Numericable is one of the leading cable providers with more than 400 channels, and plenty of English options. BBC, CNN, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, and Disney are common channels in cable television packages.

Television providers Telenet | Numericable | Voo | Tele Bruxelles | VTM | BeTV CABLE TELEVISION AND INTERNET Belgium is one of the most cabled countries in the world with almost all households subscribing to some form of pay-TV. Analogue broadcasts are being phased out and replaced by digital services, and in some regions, already obsolete. Each region manages its own public broadcaster – the Flemish VRT, French RTBF and German BRF – which are already broadcasting channels digitally.

When this process began there were many regionspecific cable operators, with a count of almost 20 in 2006. This number has fallen drastically over the past few years with consolidation in the industry arising from larger companies buying out many of the smaller ones. Now there are around half a dozen different options, with the choice of channels varying by provider. There is heavy competition among companies trying to offer combined services – telephone, internet and television all in one package – and mobile is increasingly being included in some packages.

Telenet is one of the largest and can offer the whole lot, but there are a number of companies offering competitive packages. Belgacom TV is one main contender, among others. Most of the TV cable companies also offer internet connection via the cable, so it’s a good idea to shop around, although you may find that one company dominates in your area and your choice is limited.

Satellite television is available from a few different companies and some providers also offer Sky from the UK. There is a fairly hefty set-up charge as Sky is not allowed to market its product on the continent because of licensing agreements.

There is also a growing number of online platforms for viewing foreign television programmes.

Availability is heavily dependent on the quality of your internet connection, something worth bearing in mind before subscribing. If you aren’t particularly interested in live television and just want to get some shows from home, this may be the best route to go down.

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Main communication providers

• Cybernet | 02 4 270 4700 | www.cybernet.be

Most of these companies will offer a combination of internet, television and landline provision, but some are specialist providers. See their websites for details and special offers, or to see whether their services are available where you are.

• Scarlet | 0800 84 000 | www.scarlet.be

• Voo | 0800 800 25 | www.voo.be • Numéricable | 02 226 52 00 | www.numericable.be • Telenet | 0800 66 046 | www.telenet.be • Belgacom | 0800 55 800 | www.belgacom.be

• Skynet | 0800 23 451 | www.skynet.be • Billi | www.billi.be • Snow | www.snow.be • EDP Net | www.edpnet.be • Dommel | lianka.schedom-europe.net • Tv From Home | tvfromhome.be • b-lite | www.blite.be

EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES Argentina. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 647 7812 Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 286 0500 Austria (trade). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 645 1650 Bosnia Herzegovina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 502 0188 Brazil. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 640 2015 Bulgaria. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 374 5963 Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 741 0611 Chile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 280 1620 China . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 775 0888 Croatia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 639 2036 Cyprus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 650 0610 Czech Republic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 641 8930 Denmark. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 233 0900 Egypt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 663 5800 Estonia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 779 0755 Finland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 287 1212 France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 229 8500 Germany. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 787 1800 Greece. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 545 5500 Hungary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 348 1800 Ireland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 282 3400 India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 640 9140 Indonesia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 771 2014 Israel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 373 5511 Italy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 643 3850 Japan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 513 2340

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Latvia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 344 1682 Lithuania. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 772 2750 Grand Duchy of Luxembourg . . . . . . . 02 737 5700 Malta. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 343 0195 Mexico. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 644 1300 Morocco. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 736 1100 The Netherlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 679 1711 New Zealand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 512 1040 Norway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 238 7400 Poland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 739 0100 Portugal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 533 0700 Romania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 343 2680 Russia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 374 6886 Slovakia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 346 4260 Slovenia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 213 6327 South Africa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 285 4400 Spain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 230 0340 Sweden. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 510 1111 Switzerland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 285 4350 Turkey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 513 4095 Ukraine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 379 2100 United Kingdom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 287 6211 United States of America. . . . . . . . . . . . 02 811 4000 For the latest information on any subject in this guide visit www.expatica.com

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SETTLING IN

LIBRARIES From the Royal Library of Belgium to Gent’s central library, there are plenty to choose from in Belgium. Some libraries have small English language sections and stock English language newspapers; you can also find free internet access for registered users, large print books for the visually impaired and DVDs in original languages. Most libraries are open Monday– Saturday with varying opening times, but are usually closed on Sundays.

Internet access is available from most Belgian libraries and usually free for those with a library card. Some libraries have restrictions on the amount of time one person can spend on a computer during each visit, and the youngest age permitted tends to be 14. Those under 18 may need parental consent to be able to use the Internet.

Brussels can point to a large number of libraries that offer a range of services to the public. The Royal Library of Belgium houses the famous Fetis archives and, remarkably, every single book published in the country or written by a Belgian citizen. It is also where you will find a selection of English language books, together with bestselling novels in various other languages. It holds concerts, as well as storytelling for children during school holidays, and runs guided tours.

ANTWERP Openbare Bibliotheek Permeke (Public library) 0800 99 293 (free number) The Coninckplein 25–26, 2060 Antwerp | www.permeke.org

BRUSSELS Royal Library of Belgium 02 519 5311 | Boulevard de l’Empereur 4, 1000 Brussels www.kbr.be Brussels Central Library (French and Dutch) | 02 548 2610 Rue des Riches Claires 24, 1000 Brussels

Meanwhile, the Children’s Library contains a large selection of books and comics in English for children and teenagers, with titles that are constantly being renewed. Also of interest for children is the Centre Crousse, which offers a toy library.

Away from libraries, Pêle Mêle is a store selling second-hand English books, video games, CDs, and DVDs, and a range of English and international books can be found at Sterling Books, Waterstones and Passa Porta, to name a few.

In Antwerp the Permeke library runs a Twitter book club where readers can contribute via the social network using the hashtag #welezen. In fact, using the libraries in Antwerp can benefit you further as you can collect points on your ‘A Card’, a loyalty card for use at leisure and cultural facilities in the city. The Permeke library also has a reading session for children every third Sunday of the month.

In Gent’s libraries, reading clubs are held weekly and special children’s clubs and activities can be found throughout the whole year, while Liège’s central library may have a slight lack in modern English language books but has an excellent choice of CDs and DVDs.

French Community libraries (Information and locations) 0800 20 000 | www.cfwb.be Muntpunt Bib (Flemish Community) 02 278 1111 | Munt 6, 1000 Brussels | www.muntpunt.be Children’s English Library 02 770 9812 Centre Communautaire Crousse Rue au Bois 11, 1150 Brussels www.thechildrenslibrary.be

GENT Centrale Openbare Bibliotheek 09 266 7000 | Graaf van Vlaanderenplein 40, 9000 Gent www.gent.be

LIÈGE Bibliothèque Chiroux | 04 232 8686 Rue des Croisiers 15, 4000 Liège www.provincedeliege.be

Library of the British Council Rue de la Charité 15, 1050 Brussels

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TRANSPORT

TRANSPORT IN BELGIUM

Travel is made easier by Belgium’s integrated transport system.

Belgium has an excellent public transport network, which is accessible and efficient. One of its strengths is an integrated train, tram, metro, and bus system, which makes it easy to make connections between the different forms of transport. Three regional operators manage the network: De Lijn (Flanders), TEC (Wallonia) and STIB (Brussels). Along the Belgian coast runs the world’s longest tram route, providing easy access to the entire coastline from the French to Dutch borders.

ANTWERP The public transport system in Antwerp is managed

by De Lijn and is based on trams and buses, with an underground tramline running through the city.

Multiple-ride or season tickets can be bought at De Lijn booths (Lijnwinkels) in various locations, as well as in some newsstands, supermarkets, and stations.

Buying tickets in advance means you’ll pay almost 50 percent less, although single tickets can also be bought from the driver.

BRUSSELS The Brussels city public transport is run by STIB/ MIVB, while bus transport outside the centre is run

by De Lijn in Flanders and TEC in Wallonia. Not all tickets are interchangeable between the companies, but there are tickets to cover this, including the single ‘jump’ ticket and the MTB ‘all-in’ season pass. In Brussels centre, you can buy multiple-ride or season tickets from STIB/MIVB ticket offices at metro stations or from special booths, as well as in newsstands and supermarkets. Single tickets can be bought from bus or tram drivers, although pre-bought tickets will be cheaper. Multiple-ride tickets cover 5 or 10 journeys and, like single-journey tickets, must be time stamped in the orange boxes.

Once stamped, you can travel anywhere within an hour – on bus, tram, or metro – but you must stamp your ticket at each change.

Further afield, Gent is served by De Lijn (OostVlaanderen), and Liège by TEC. TRANSPORT COMPANIES STIB/MVIB | 070 23 2000 | www.stib.be De Lijn | 070 22 0200 | www.delijn.be TEC | 010 23 5353 | www.infotec.be (EUR 0.30/min)

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DOMESTIC TRAINS The dense train network in Belgium is state-owned and operated by SNCB/NMBS. For the most part it is efficient and inexpensive.

Booking is best done before boarding; it is possible to buy a ticket from the guard, but you may be charged a small surcharge if you boarded at a station that had ticket sales. Ticket offices are often busy, although SNCB offers online and mobile ticket sales. You can print your own ticket from the company’s website, or present your ‘SMS ticket’ on the train. Make sure you get all the details correct as tickets are not transferable and must be supported by showing your ID to the guard.

There are various ways of reducing costs, such as with a B-excursion pass, which includes transport and admission to attractions. Also, return travel on the weekend is half price. Children under the age of 12 travel for free on SNCB trains when accompanied by an adult. One adult ticket allows up to four children to travel for free. Separate tickets are not required, but you may be asked to show proof of their ages (an ID or official document).

Interestingly, journalists can also travel free of charge in second class carriages, and pregnant women can upgrade to 1st class for free in the last four months of their pregnancy. Check the website for details.

SNCB/NMBS | 02 528 2828 | www.belgianrail.be INTERNATIONAL TRAINS Belgium is truly the railway crossroads of Europe, with trains entering Brussels from all over the continent. Brussels Gare du Midi is the terminus for several international trains, including Eurostar coming from London and Lille, TGV trains from France and the joint Belgian-Dutch-owned Thalys, connecting France, the Netherlands and Germany.

Alternatively, you can take the conventional EuroCity trains to most European cities. Bookings for the high-speed train services can be made online at the Belgian railway website.

If you want to drive to England, it’s just a short journey to Calais for the Eurotunnel shuttle service.

• S NCB/NMBS Europe | 070 79 7979 | www.b-europe.com • Eurostar | 070 79 7989 | www.eurostar.com • TGV | 3635 | www.tgv.com • Thalys | 070 66 7788 | www.thalys.com

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TRANSPORT

SNCB Europe, more than just train tickets Amsterdam from 1h50*

The best CITY TRIPS

London

Cologne

in 2h01*

from 1h47*

Lille

Brussels

from 34 min*

Frankfurt from 2h59*

Luxembourg from 2h51*

Paris

in 1h22*

Marseille from 4h50*

The best VACATIONS

www.sncb-europe.com Mobile application m.sncb-europe.com Contact Center SNCB Europe* > 070 79 79 79 (€ 0,30/min)

ü

Tickets for train travel in Europe and the world

ü

Thalys, Eurostar, TGV, ICE and other international trains

ü

Also book your hotel, your local transport and various tourist attractions on www.sncb-europe.com

* Best travel time

Info and reservation

SNCB stations with international ticket sales* SNCB Europe approved travel agencies * These points of sales charge a fee that varies according to the product type purchased.

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73

TRANSPORT

AIRPORTS The country’s main international airport is Brussels Airport, Zavertem. Charleroi, also known as Brussels South, is used mainly by Ryanair. There are also smaller provincial airports in Antwerp and Liège, used mostly by city-hopper planes.

ANTWERP Antwerp airport is just two kilometres from the city centre and is close to the Antwerp Berchem rail station. There are daily flights to London, Paris and Rotterdam, and some regular flights to destinations in Germany and France.

Antwerp International Airport | 03 285 6500 www.antwerp-airport.be BRUSSELS Public transport from Brussels Airport is either by train or bus. The airport line runs four times an hour at peak times. Train links to Antwerp and Mechelen were opened in 2012 and there is also a direct train to Paris each day, run by Thalys. A taxi ride into town is reasonably quick, but expensive at around EUR 40.

A cheaper option is the No. 12 express bus, which runs every 30 minutes between the airport and Rond Point Schuman, or the No. 21 bus if travelling after

8pm or on weekends and public holidays.

From Brussels South Charleroi, there is a reasonably priced shuttle bus that takes around an hour to get to Brussels. The drop-off point is at Gare du Midi.

The cheapest option is to travel to Charleroi by train and use the provided shuttle bus service to the airport. Taxis are available but, again, this is an expensive option costing some EUR 80 or more, although you can get pre-booked or shared transfer options for less.

• Brussels Airport, Zaventem | 0900 70 000 (EUR0.50/min) www.brusselsairport.be •B russels South Charleroi Airport Flight information | 0902 02 490 (EUR1/min) www.charleroi-airport.com LIÈGE Liège Airport mainly offers holiday destination flights. By public transport you can reach the airport by train (Liège Guillemins) and then taxi, or by TEC bus No. 57 (not available weekends and public holidays) or No. 53 (with a changeover).

Liège Airport | 04 234 8411 | www.liegeairport.com

TAXIS Taxis may not take you off the street if they are close to one of their special waiting ranks. All taxis are metered and have different tariffs according to whether you are in the city centre or the outskirts.

You can arrange a taxi or transfer by phone, which might be cheaper for longer trips (such as to the airport). All information, including the driver number, should be clearly displayed inside the taxi. Tips are included in the meter price.

The Brussels-Capital region also runs a night-time shared taxi service called ‘Collecto’ from 11pm–6am, for EUR 5–6 per person. You can book by calling 02 800 36 36, and wait at one of their pick-up places located at certain STIB stops.

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BRUSSELS Brussels Region Taxi Department | 0800 94001 Taxi Verts | 02 349 4949 | www.taxisverts.be Taxis Bleus | 02 268 0000 | www.taxisbleus.be ANTWERP Antwerp Taxi | 03 238 3838 | www.antwerp-tax.be GENT V-Tax N.V. | 09 222 2222 | www.v-tax.be LIÈGE Taxis Melkior | 04 252 2020 | www.melkior.be

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TRANSPORT

DRIVING AND PARKING

Registration and taxes apply once you become a Belgian resident.

Driving in Belgium in on the right-hand side of the road, similar to many European countries. All car owners should carry a warning triangle, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and a hi-visibility vest in their vehicle at all times, along with relevant licence, registration and insurance documentation. There are specific requirements in registering your car and paying the relevant taxes once you become a Belgian resident.

DRIVING LICENCE If you are a citizen of an EU member country, you do not need to obtain a separate Belgian licence if you already have a licence for your home country. Other foreigners permanently residing in Belgium may use an international driving licence initially, but are advised to apply for a valid Belgian driving licence when issued with an identity card.

An application must be made at the local town hall, and can be done at the same time as your residence registration. It is required that you provide an existing driver’s licence, two passport-type photographs and a residence permit. Expect to wait for several weeks before receiving the Belgian licence.

A Belgian driving licence will be given automatically to nationals from some countries, among them Switzerland and Norway. However, other nationals may need to take a Belgian driving test to qualify.

Non-EU nationals can check the government website for licence validity: www.mobilit.fgov.be If you are a younger driver, bear in mind that the minimum driving age in Belgium is 18. If you are 17 or younger you will be unable to drive on your own, even if you have previously been issued with a licence in your home country.

REGISTRATION TAX The registration tax is for your number plate, which stays with you and not with the car. After registering your car with the DIV (Direction des Immatriculations des Véhicules/Dienst voor Inschrijving van de Voertuigen), you will get the rear number plate in the post and will have to arrange a copy.

If you have taken you car with you when moving to Belgium, you will need the registration to be permanently moved. This may mean making modifications to the car to meet Belgian laws. There is a six-month period in which the registration can be made with the DIV (Direction des Immatriculations des Véhicules/Dienst voor Inschrijving van de Voertuigen),

although it is generally required once you register with your local commune.

CIRCULATION AND ROAD TAXES Circulation tax (taxe de mise en circulation/belasting op inverkeerstelling) is a one-off payment made upon the purchase of a new or used car, based on the power of the engine. This is designed to curb the use of fuelheavy cars, so check the tax bracket you fall into.

Your road tax is also based on the power of your engine and whether your car is used to transport passengers or merchandise. It is payable annually and is higher on a second car.

SPEED LIMITS General speed limits are 30km/h in built-up areas, 90km/h out of town and 120km/h on motorways and four-lane roads. On entering any town or village, the speed limit comes into effect at the white background signboard bearing the community’s name. Radar speed traps are common, particularly on the highway, where drivers are more tempted to speed.

TRAFFIC INFORMATION The telephone number for all of Belgium is 0900 10 280, seven days a week from 6.00 to 23.00. It carries information on traffic conditions throughout Belgium and also abroad.

PARKING Parking in town centres is controlled by parking meters, or in so-called blue zones by using a special disc (showing the time of arrival), which can be bought from garages, newsagents or tobacconists. If using meters, a ticket must be bought from a machine and should be placed clearly on the dashboard, showing the hours of validity.

Watch out for temporary signs left by the commune to indicate that the road needs to be kept clear for road works or the like. Ignore these at your peril as your car will be towed away. You can’t park less than 15 metres from tram and bus stops, either. Certain very busy streets are marked with a red triangle stating Axe Rouge/Ax Rode, meaning that no parking is permitted from 7.00 to 9.30 and from 16.00 to 18.00. Additionally, a yellow line on the curb indicates no parking.

Residents can also get a card that allows parking within a certain distance of their residence. The standard card offers one year of parking for EUR 200.

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75

LISTINGS AND INDEX

GROUPS AND CLUBS Want to meet like-minded expats? Here is a selection of just some of the groups and clubs in Belgium.

ARTS AND THEATRE British American Theatrical Society (BATS) www.batsantwerp.be American Theatre Company www.atcbrussels.com English Comedy Club Theatre Group ecc.theatreinbrussels.com Irish Theatre Group www.irishtheatregroup.com Viewfinders English-Speaking Photography Club www.viewfinders.be BOZAR | Centre for Fine Arts Palais des Beaux-Arts Rue Ravenstein 23, 1000 Brussels www.bozar.be | 02 507 83 06

EXPAT ASSOCIATIONS

AMERICAN American Club of Brussels www.americanclubbrussels.org

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Welsh Society of Brussels cymdeithas.blogspot.com OTHER Antwerp Indian Association www.antwerpindians.be Irish Club of Belgium www.irishclub.be Jewish Community of Antwerp www.shomre-hadas.be Australian society www.aussieworld.com Professional Women International www.pwi.be Women’s International Club Brussels www.wicbrussels.com

MUSIC, SONG AND DANCE

BOZAR | Centre for Fine Arts Palais des Beaux-Arts Rue Ravenstein 23, 1000 Brussels www.bozar.be | 02 507 83 06 Brussels Choral Society www.brusselschoralsociety.com

American Women’s Club of Antwerp www.awcantwerp.org

Brussels Light Opera Company www.bloc-brussels.be

American Women’s Club of Brussels www.awcb.org

Brussels Madrigal Singers www.brusselsmadrigals.be

BRITISH Antwerp British Community Association www.abca-antwerp.be

International Chorale of Brussels www.internationalchorale.com

Antwerp British and International Women www.abiw.org

A-Club Brussels groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Aclubbrussels/info

SOCIAL AND CHARITABLE

British & Commonwealth Women’s Club of Brussels bcwcb.weebly.com

Antwerp Heritage Volunteer Group www.adfas.org

Royal British Legion www.britishlegion.be

Brussels Hash House Harriers www.bmph3.com

Brussels British Community Association www.britishinbrussels.com

Caledonian Society of Brussels www.calsoc.be

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LISTINGS AND INDEX

Lions Club of Belgium www.lions.be www.lionsheraldic.net Rotary International www.rotary.belux.org

RELIGIOUS SERVICES

ANTWERP Antwerp International Protestant Church 03 644 2046 www.aipchurch.org

St Boniface Anglican Church 03 239 3339 www.boniface.be International Baptist Church of Antwerp 03 290 5262 www.ministryserver.com/ ibcofantwerp.htm

BRUSSELS AND SURROUNDS Beth Hillel Synagogue (non orthodox) 02 332 2528 www.beth-hillel.org Cornerstone International Church 02 304 3466 www.cornerstone.be Holy Trinity Anglican Church 02 511 7183 www.holytrinity.be International Baptist Church 02 731 9900 www.ibcbrussels.org International Protestant Church 02 673 0581 www.ipcbrussels.org Our Lady of Mercy Parish 02 354 5343 www.olm.be

St Anthony’s Roman Catholic Parish 02 720 1970 www.saint-anthony.be St Paul’s Tervuren Anglican Church 02 767 3435 www.stpaulstervuren.be Synagogue de Bruxelles 02 512 4334 GENT St John’s Anglican Church www.saintjohnsghent.com LIÈGE English Church of Liège-Anglican 08 584 4482 netministries.org/see/churches/ ch00654 OOSTENDE The English Church www.echob.be

St Andrew’s Church of Scotland 02 649 0219 www.churchofscotland.be

EMERGENCY NUMBERS AND HELPLINES EU common emergency line all services. . . . . . . . 112 Fire or Ambulance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Red Cross Ambulance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Police. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101 Anti-poison centre. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 070 245 245 Bank card lost or stolen (national). . . . . . 070 344 344

PHARMACISTS (ON DUTY) 0900 10 500 (EUR 0.50/min). | www.pharmacie.be

DOCTORS (ON DUTY) Brussels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 479 1818 Rest of Belgium. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

DENTISTS (ON DUTY) Brussels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 426 1026 Rest of Belgium. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

VETS (ON DUTY) Brussels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 479 9990

ENGLISH-SPEAKING COMMUNITY HELP SERVICE IN BRUSSELS. A volunteer counselling service set up for internationals (adults and children) to discuss emotional problems or offer advice.

CHS Help Line: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 648 4014 www.chsbelgium.org

NOTES

NOTES

ADVERTISERS INDEX A

L

The Antwerp International School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Law Right – international law office. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

B

M

BBF. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Marriott Executive Apartments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Be Welcome. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Mercedes House Brussels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . back cover

BNP Paribas Fortis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25, 40-41

P

Brussels-Europe Liaison Office. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Partena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

British School of Brussels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

R

BEPS International School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Rotterdam School of Management Erasmus University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . inside back cover

D De Rand. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

S Spectrum IFA Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

E European School of Mol. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 European University. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Expatica Jobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Expatica Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 EZ-Relocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

I ING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 International School of Brussels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Internationale Deutsche Schule Brussel . . . . . . . . . . . 49

St. Paul’s British Primary School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 SNCB Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

T Transworld International. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Taxpatria. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

U United Business Institutes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

V Vesalius College . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Vlerick Business School . inside front cover, 50-51

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WWW.EXPATICA.COM | BELGIUM EXPAT SURVIVAL GUIDE 2014

Once the practical aspects are dealt with, your life in Belgium can really begin. Exploring and settling in brings its own set of joys and challenges, but Expatica.com provides you all the information you need to happily live, work and love in Belgium.

LIVE Belgium has more castles per square mile than anywhere in the world, and coupled with the world’s densest rail network, Belgium’s sights are easy to see. Expatica.com’s Lifestyle section covers cultural sights, activities and tips for getting out, about and active.

Belgium is a top Michelin-star contender, but local Belgian recipes offer an array of tasty and hearty dishes, with Dutch and French influences changing per region. Check out the top Belgian foods on Expatica.com.

KNOKKE-HEIST

OOSTENDE DE MOEREN (-3 METERS)

RESTAURANT DE KARMELIET RESTAURANT HERTOG JAN

Raising bilingual children? Struggling with language?

Expat life is rewarding but not without challenges. Get a dose of daily or weekly support by signing up to Expatica’s newsletters, where hand-picked blogs written by seasoned expats and relevant news features are delivered straight to your inbox.

Don’t let any permits expire! Expatica.com has an online immigration section to guide you step-by-step on how to apply or extend your residence or work permits.

With a well-integrated transport system, expats can live a comfortable suburban life and commute to major centres.

Work out where to position yourself with Expatica.com’s housing guides and search tools.

From To Distance (km) Brussels Amsterdam 209 Antwerp Amsterdam 160 Brussels Paris 294 Antwerp Paris 340 Brussels London 328 Antwerp London 337

RESTAURANT HOF VAN CLEVE

THE ATOMNIUM

PAIRI DAIZA

CARNIVAL OF B

DINAN OF T

WORK Language plays a major role in the hiring process. For international jobs, you can check specialised job searches for expats, such as http://jobs.expatica.com/belgium.

Brussels Capital with its many foreign institutions is a hotspot for internationals. Expatica.com’s Employment section can guide you on where to look for work, and what your employment contract should cover.

Are you paying the correct taxes as an expat? Expatica.com’s Finance section explains the Belgian tax legislation, or alternatively you can ask our online expert for information specific to your situation.

If you want to enhance your job opportunities abroad, keep an eye out for Expatica’s 2014 Job Fair in the Netherlands. Close enough to commute, working in the Netherlands and living in Belgium can offer some benefits.

LOVE Is the dating scene forward or reserved? Who pays the bill?

Which manners are absolute? Push your love life in the right direction with Expatica.com’s expat dating series.

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS

SIGNAL DE BOTRANGE (694 METERS)

BINCHE

NT: BIRTHPLACE THE SAXOPHONE

Finding love in a foreign country can be challenging when you don’t know the dating norms. Meet like-minded singles on Expatica’s online dating site for expats: http://belgiumdating. expatica.com.

BELGIAN ARDENNES

Lost in translation? Learning Belgian culture can do wonders for cross-cultural relationships, as well as navigating the dating scene. You might not be offended by standoffish behaviour if you knew Belgians are typically shy and conservative. Read about ‘Belgian culture’ on Expatica.com.

Good company is only matched by a good setting, and Belgian restaurants offer plenty of first-date winners and Michelinstar dining, topped off by a vibrant social life. You can find a number of event listings for expats on Expatica.com.

EDUCATION

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