Belgium offers its residents a high standard of living, attractive salaries, and one of the best healthcare systems in the world. It’s no surprise that so many people choose to work in this country. Here, we present the pros and cons of living in Belgium and answer the question of whether it’s worth emigrating there.
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Life in Belgium – Pros
Location
Belgium’s strategic position in the heart of Europe is one of its biggest advantages. Sharing borders with France, Germany, and the Netherlands, and being close to the UK, serves as an excellent base for traveling across Europe. Moreover, the country is relatively small, which makes commuting easy and saves time on daily routes.
Additionally, Belgians have built the longest tram line in the world – Kusttram. Running along the coast, connecting Belgium’s borders with France and the Netherlands. This not only offers comfort while traveling but also easy access to various parts of the country. A straightforward immigration process is another benefit.
Residence and Employment Rules in Belgium (for EU citizens)
If you plan to work in Belgium for up to 3 months, you are not required to report your employment. However, you must register your stay with the Belgian authorities within 10 days of arrival. Failure to register results in a fine of 200 euros.
If your stay and work in Belgium exceed 3 months, you must visit the appropriate municipal office to apply for temporary residence. To obtain approval for such a residence, you must have an employment contract, run your own business, be studying, or be actively seeking work.
The temporary residence card is issued for a period of up to 5 years. After this time, the individual may apply for a permanent residence card.
Belgium has a high demand for workers in various sectors such as:
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Transport and logistics
- Healthcare
- Education
- IT
For those interested in seasonal work, there are many job offers related to gardening, harvesting, and agriculture. Belgium has been consistently ranked among the top 10 most desirable countries for seasonal work.
Salaries in Belgium
The minimum wage in Belgium is 2,070 EUR gross, which is one of the highest minimum wages in Europe, excluding Scandinavian countries. This fact can also be considered one of the advantages of living in Belgium.
The average monthly salary for construction work is over 3,000 EUR gross. For senior care it ranges from 2,250 to 3,500 EUR, and for a programmer, it is 4,800 EUR.
Belgium has been consistently ranked at the top of the Gender Pay Gap index, with one of the lowest pay disparities between men and women.
Healthcare System
The Belgian healthcare system is considered one of the best in Europe, thanks to its high-quality medical services and innovation in treatment. The quality of healthcare is very high, and access to modern medical technologies is widespread.
With mandatory health insurance, every citizen and worker in Belgium has access to a wide range of medical services, including hospital treatment, specialized care, and rehabilitation.
Patient support and efficient treatment management are other strengths of the Belgian system – patients are well-informed about their health condition, and the treatment process is well-organized.
Additionally, the system is flexible and allows for the use of both public and private care options, giving patients greater choice and comfort.
Important! In Belgium, you must be prepared to pay for any medical services upfront. Only after the visit will the costs be partially reimbursed. This is something we can definitely consider as a disadvantage of living in Belgium, and more on this will be discussed in the next part of the article.
Social Benefits
Social benefits in Belgium are among the highest in Europe, although the amount may vary depending on the region and the individual circumstances of the person applying for assistance. Compared to other European Union countries, Belgium offers a wide range of social benefits, which is an important factor for those considering emigration.
An important element of the social assistance system in Belgium is CPAS (Public Centre for Social Action), which supports individuals in difficult financial situations, including migrants and the unemployed. CPAS not only helps with obtaining benefits for daily living but also provides assistance in paying rent and support for people with disabilities.
| Social Benefit | Amount |
| Family allowance | 1 child – 186 EUR2 children – 374 EUR3 children – 557 EUR4 children – 713 EUR5 or more children – 850 EUR |
| Unemployment benefit | 60–65% of the last gross salary |
| Maternity leave | For working women – 82% of salary for the first 30 days (then 75%)For unemployed women – 60% of the last salary |
Life in Belgium – Disadvantages
In the previous paragraphs, we have highlighted the numerous benefits of living in Belgium, which are indisputable. However, when deciding to move to this country, it is also important to consider factors that might discourage us.
One such aspect is the cost of medical services. As mentioned earlier, reimbursement for expenses related to doctor visits, treatments, or hospital stays is processed directly after the service. For people who have recently moved to Belgium, this may be somewhat inconvenient.
Tax System
High wages as an advantage come hand in hand with some of the highest taxes in Europe. You can learn more about taxes in Belgium in our previous article: The Tax System in Belgium. Tax Refund from Belgium.
Official Languages
Belgium recognizes three official languages:
- French
- Dutch
- German
Therefore, if someone plans to stay in the country for a longer period, it is advisable to consider learning at least one of these languages. Additionally, many people in Belgium are fluent in English.
Cost of Living
Another factor related to high wages is the relatively high cost of living in Belgium. The cost of renting a studio apartment starts from 600-900 EUR/month, plus utilities (around 250 EUR). A monthly ticket for public transportation in Brussels costs approximately 49 EUR.
Prices of some example food products:
| Product | Price |
| Bread | 2,50 EUR |
| Eggs 12 pcs | 3,99 EUR |
| Apples 1kg | 2,99 EUR |
| Milk 1l | 1,20 EUR |
| Chicken breast 1kg | 10 EUR |
Life in Belgium – Summary
Living in Belgium offers numerous benefits, such as attractive salaries, but also comes with certain inconveniences, such as high taxes. The final decision to move to this country is up to you.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| High salaries | High taxation |
| Strategic location | Multilingualism |
| Developed/innovative healthcare system | Medical service fees |
| Social benefits | High cost of living |
Decided to move to Belgium?
