Moving To Belgium From The UK

Moving to Belgium

Whether you are moving to Brussels, Antwerp or Charleroi, Britannia Movers International has the expertise and the local knowledge to tailor the move to your specific needs.

	Importing Personal Effects to Belgium All shipments to Belgium from the UK will have to clear customs on arrival and you must ensure you can provide all relevant customs documents required at destination. Your contact at your local Britannia office will assist you with which forms are necessary along with what supporting documentation you will need to provide. However, the responsibility for completion and submission of these forms now falls with the customer and it is advisable that all these formalities are prepared for prior to the move to avoid potential delays in transportation and additional charges. Britannia will give you specific advice prior to your move.
	Belgium Customs Prohibitions and Restrictions In general, it is in your interest not to import the following items: Firearms & ammunition Inflammable goods & substances Plants & plant material Foodstuffs, perishables or otherwise Narcotics and dangerous goods Offensive materials Alcohol & tobacco
	Transit Times to Belgium Transit times can vary subject to the method of transport chosen, size of your consignment and the final destination. The team at Britannia will be able to advise you of timings once this information is established.
	Protecting Your Items for Transport to Belgium All shared load consignments will be barcoded before they are loaded into the vehicle. This will ensure that no items are left at origin.
	Moving to Belgium with Pets Britannia can recommend a specialised shipper of animals to assist you in sending your family pet(s) from home to home. They will coordinate all documentation and necessary veterinary procedures. Find out more about pet transport.
	Moving Motor Vehicles To Belgium Motor vehicles can be imported to Belgium duty free, provided they have less than 6000 km and have been owned for at least 6 months. Importation will also be subject to compliance, and any tax or duty to be paid will depend on the value, year and model of your vehicle.
	Belgium Currency Transfer When you are making international payments for individuals you can benefit from IFX expertise in seeking the best possible rate, whether you are sending or receiving foreign currency. IFX can help to protect you from exchange rate fluctuations and save you time and money on international payments. IFX offers: International Payments Regular Overseas Transfers Prepaid Currency Card Forward Contracts More info on the IFX website.

Moving to Belgium With Britannia

Your Move to Belgium with Britannia – Britannia has established a long standing and successful relationship with a network of dedicated removers who will assist you with your destination services. Britannia has been providing an excellent shipping and removal service to this location for many years. Household and personal effects can be transported to Belgium in various ways: overland by road van, by sea containers or by air.

Packing and Delivery – We can provide a full door to door removal service and unpack your belongings on arrival, if you choose for us to do so. Additional destination services are available subject to your final destination and method of transport.

Additional Removal Services – Britannia offers a variety of additional services when moving to Belgium. We are authorised to provide a comprehensive insurance, can arrange international storage prior to delivery, recommend a convenient way to transfer your money, and can also take care of your pet transport.

If you are interested in moving to Belgium, you can request a quote, and read more about Britannia’s European and international removals.

Living in Belgium

Expats moving to Belgium will experience one of Europe’s most eclectic and diverse nations. Belgium can boast very high living standards, and unparalleled cultural variety. Brussels is the capital is a centre of international politics and houses many important EU institutions. Antwerp is a dynamic city with one of the largest seaports in Europe, while Bruges is a beautiful historic city, and its city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Located in the heart of Europe bordered by the Netherlands, France, Germany and Luxembourg, Belgium is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional, popular monarchy. The country is divided into two main cultural and linguistic groups, the Dutch-speakers, who are mostly Flemish and the French-speaking Walloons, and there is also a small group of German speakers. While there are occasional political and cultural conflicts between these different linguistic groups, Belgium has a strong economy, and offers a very high standard of living, with a developed education, housing, health and transportation infrastructure.

Belgium is often seen as a melting pot of different cultures, and Belgians are usually seen as having a sophisticated taste – whether it comes to gastronomy or arts – but being rather reserved at the same time. The language barrier, and the linguistic differences within the country could pose a challenge for an expat moving to Belgium. French and English are widely spoken in Brussels for example, but if you are relocating to the north, Dutch will be the most widely spoken language.

Belgium Visas

For UK citizens looking to live and work in Belgium, there are various types of visas and permits are available, depending on the purpose of the stay and the length of time planned in the country.

If you are planning to stay in Belgium for more than 90 days, you will need a long-stay visa. The most common visa for UK citizens is the work visa, which is required for anyone who will want to work in Belgium. This visa typically requires a work permit, which will be granted based on the type of employment you’ll be undertaking. You’ll need a job offer from a Belgian employer to apply for a work visa, as they’ll provide the necessary documents for your application. There are various work permit types depending on the level of employment, including the Type A work permit for highly skilled workers, the Type B work permit for other employment, and the Type C work permit for seasonal or temporary work.

If you’re planning to set up your own business in Belgium, you can apply for a self-employment visa. This will require proof that your business will be economically viable and that you can support yourself financially through your business activities.

The application process will require you to submit an application online or in person at the Belgian consulate or embassy. You’ll need to submit the necessary documents, such as proof of employment, financial means, health insurance, and accommodation. Processing times for visas can vary, so its best to submit yours well in advance of when you want to move.  Once your visa is approved, you will be able to apply for a residence permit when you arrive in Belgium.

Working in Belgium

Belgium offers a range of job opportunities for UK expats. One of the most common roles for expats is English language teaching, with many positions available in schools, language institutes, and private tutoring. There is also demand for professionals in IT and technology, with skilled workers needed in software development, cybersecurity, and digital marketing. The financial sector in Brussels, the EU’s administrative centre, also offers many roles for those with experience in finance, economics, or law. In addition, engineering and science-based roles, especially in fields like pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, are in high demand.

The working culture in Belgium tends to be structured and highly professional, with an emphasis on work-life balance. The working culture is less hierarchical than in some other European countries and there is a focus on collaboration and consensus in decision-making. Punctuality is important, and meetings are often formal, especially in the larger cities.

Belgian work culture also places a strong emphasis on holidays, with generous vacation time and public holidays, making it easier to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Employees typically work Monday to Friday, with business hours from 9 am to 6 pm.

While Dutch, French, and German are the official languages of Belgium, English is widely used in international companies, particularly in Brussels. However, knowledge of one of the national languages can be beneficial, especially in smaller companies or in regions outside of Brussels.

Cost of Living in Belgium

According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Belgium is nearly 4% lower than in the UK, not including rent costs. Rent alone is 34% lower in Belgium. Salaries are also slightly lower, with a difference of 15%, but your earning potential will depend on your role, industry and experience.

You can check out some of the items you are likely to purchase regularly whilst living in Belgium below. Prices are shown in Euros and converted to UK pounds alongside the price in the UK so you can see how costs match up.

Interesting Facts About Belgium

• Belgium has three official languages: French is spoken in the south, Dutch in the north, and German is spoken in a small region in the east.
• Belgium is the headquarters of the European Union and NATO, making it a key player in international politics and diplomacy.
• Belgium is famous for its beers, chocolates, and waffles. There are over 800 kinds of beers made in Belgium, and the country produces more than 220,000 tonnes of chocolate per year.
• Belgium is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with a population density similar to that of Japan or India.
• Despite its small size, Belgium is a very diverse country. It has three regions (Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels) and distinct cultural identities within each region. It also has a number of unique traditions, festivals, and regional cuisines.
• Belgium is the birthplace of many famous comic book characters, including Tintin (created by Hergé) and The Smurfs (created by Peyo) – Brussels even has a Museum of Comic Strip Art.

Choose Britannia for Your Belgium Relocation

If you are thinking about moving to Belgium and want to find out more about our international removal services or request a quote, you can call us on 0845 6006661 or email sales@britannia-movers.co.uk. Our team will be happy to discuss how we can help you with your international relocation.