Slacker77

Anyone know the pros and cons of localisation in Belgium from the UK. Seems like I'm on a nice deal at the mo and that localisation would be painful / prohibitive. It can't be all bad though as plenty of people seem to do it.

Tax and School fees (for international/British Scool) seem to be the main sticking point

Any advice?

PS I see that Belgium doesn't have it's own sub thread yet, am I the only Belgium expat on here? I can't believe that

JB80

I'm not sure what localisation is?
Is it just moving to Belgium?

Yes, the school fees for the international fees can be huge but I guess there are a few considerations to be made. If your kids are young enough they should cope well in the local system.

You are not the only one but in a months time we will be gone, can't wait.

edit: Just saw your other thread, so I'm thinking that you already live here but are only on a year long contract and can extend it but have to chance to make the move full time?

Mitzyboy

Hi

These things evolve, and when we start getting a number of Belgian posters we will look at creating its own section :-)

globalart4u

Brussels can be expensive but there are many on low salaries who get by so it depends on what you are looking for.

Will your company pay for the rental of a house or flat whilst you are there?

Are you being offered more or the same salary as in the UK?

Also a good opportunity for your children to learn other cultures and languages. I have many friends whose children from watching cartoons in different languages speak three to five languages.

Jon-Bxl

Hi I am an expat living in Belgium. I may be able to help, but on the major issue, I have no experience, I am not a parent.

First step google 'The Bulletin' it is a magazine in English that also has a free welcome pack with all sorts of useful info.

Like most expat relocations it has its problems, but I have to say these are minimised here. We live in Brussels and the paperwork (always a hassle) wasn't that bad at all. We speak French, so for us its easy to get about, and living in Brussels which though is officially bi-lingual - does have a lot of French speakers more I would hazard to say than Flemish. However with the EU here the country is used to hosting expats and the system is really geared up to it, compared to many other countries. English is kind of a common language, so even without the language it is not so hard to get by.

The medical system here is excellent (the best generally that Ive seen) and there are great schools. Taxation is crazy, so do your calculations, BUT for certain cases you may be able to apply for expat status BEFORE you get here, that will save you a significant amount in taxes, especially if you travel, as you dont pay taxes for the percentage of days abroad. Also other benefits too. Check this out - you have to at least try for this!

Its going to take time to 'socialise' as it would anywhere, but I would say much easier than many of the 'foreign language' countries, as there is a big infrastructure in place. Friends with kids are happy and the kids learn languages, Belgium has 3 official ones. Travel is easy, London on the train 2 hours, Paris 1.5 then close by Germany, Holland etc.

Well worth a look ONCE you have done your homework re the taxes/salaries/costs etc.

Jon

cookie2112

I am a prospective expat (looking to return from the US) that will be very interested to hear about the pros and cons of expat life in Belgium. I will follow this thread closely!

JB80

Well it's like anywhere really, I can list both pros and cons but I think it helps more to know a bit about your situation, everyone is different and all that.
I think the first step is to work out whether or not you could get residency and if needed work.

One of the biggest cons is cost of living but like anywhere people still make do so it may not be important to you.

We just left Belgium, mainly for professional reasons but also I couldn't see raising our family there and needed a change. After nearly 5 years for me, the wife longer, it just ground us down.

cookie2112

JB, it would be a professional inter-company transfer (relocation with work etc). I would be interested to know what ground you down and whether it was the normal living away from UK, friends and family stuff or something a bit more particular to Belgium?

JB80

Professional reasons are in my mind anyway one of the few good reasons to relocate, it was the only reason we were there in the first place. Still it's a good start and would mean you shouldn't have much hassle with residency and as mentioned above you may be eligible for expat tax which would be useful if you can get it but you need to work it out with HR I guess.
If you have a wife or kids that would be sorted too I imagine but then you need to consider what they will do too.

I would also think that unless you are in for a pay increase or will get some kind of good allowance for relocation then it will be more expensive to live, unless you are on good money already or in one of the major international institutions like NATO or UN then you could be worse off financially. If you are comfortable already then it should be OK but I still resented having to pay 40 euros for a roll of 20 poorly made garbage bags.

As for us, it was the place more than missing family or friends it just became one depressing grind in the end. I think the weather played a huge part, lack of vitamin D is said to do funny things to you health both physically and mentally so maybe it was something to do with that. I honestly believe the weather is worse than the UK, certainly cloudier and less sun. Probably the same as London temp wise but drabber. But that's a personal reason more than anything, some people appreciate mild weather. I did enjoy the snow though.

The place is very claustrophobic and manicured, even forests have gardeners. Gardens are another thing they are anal about.
There is not much to do outside of the cities, no corner stores without going for a drive.
Really it's just not for us, but then I'm originally an Aussie and my wife is from the Alps so life is always bound to be vastly different.

It was the little things though and I think that was down to the area we moved to after leaving Brussels center more than anything. It was the border area between Flanders and Wallonia and certain sections of the community are not very nice to outsiders, but they'll gladly take your money.
I don't have any horror stories as such but you are made to feel like you are not good enough and looked down upon.

In the end as good as the place had been to us, our kids were born there and we have many happy memories, we made them ourselves.
I couldn't imagine raising our kids there, in their system(as good as it's reputed to be) they would just miss out on so much life that is simply not available in Belgium.

Thing is we wanted a change anyway, needed somewhere to go where we can actually get ahead and plan for our future without spending it all on rent and groceries and raise a family at the same time. Plus we are outdoors people too and enjoy a bit of wilderness and open space.
Maybe if we lived in a different area it would of been different, the weather would of still been pants though.

I should add too that when living in Brussels itself we didn't experience any negativity as mentioned above. It's a good city if you are young or a professional or don't have much baggage.

Jon-Bxl

Pls note my point above, re the expat tax scheme. You will have to apply BEFORE, so if you decide to come make sure you at least try for this.

I came here in 1999 and liked it so much I stayed. If you are on a inter-company move, then why not give it a bash, and relocate back out after..... Or stay....

Of course you have to look at all sorts of things first... And international moves are both difficult and many opinions are subjective

Jon