- Daily & Weekly newsletters
- Buy & download The Bulletin
- Comment on our articles
Related articles
Recent
Popular
Getting ready to move to Belgium! Read our lowdown on settling in the country
Although moving abroad to live and work is a major step, Belgium is very good at making expats feel at home.
Its capital Brussels is the second most cosmopolitan city after Dubai. As home to the European Union, NATO and numerous multinational companies, it offers an extensive network of information and services.
Belgium’s second metropolis Antwerp also boasts a large international community thanks to the major port city’s long history of multinational trade.
The country boasts three regions: Brussels, Flanders and Wallonia, and three official languages: Dutch, French and German. Despite or maybe because of this multicultural and multilingual identity, Belgium is very hospitable and English is widely spoken.
Before any move abroad, it’s advisable to draw up a checklist of all the administrative processes that need doing.
Setting up a bank account
While some bureaucracy on arrival in Belgium is unavoidable, there are plenty of things you can prepare in advance. These include setting up a bank account, a key step to managing administration, utilities and finances in your adopted country.
At ING Belgium, you can open a bank account with foreign ID. You’ll need to provide proof of identity, which could be documents from your home country. On arrival, visit a local branch to sign the paperwork.
The ING Do More pack is an all-in-one banking solution which comes complete with the following:
- Bank account, insurances and a free VISA classic card for a year
- Innovative app with 24/7 chat function and more than 50 services
- Mobile payments via Apple Pay and Payconiq
- Rental guarantee and home insurances
- Advice on savings and investments
Finding a home
You can start your property search while abroad or you can move first into a short-stay flat. There are plenty of service apartments, especially in the capital. Be warned when looking for a new home that the rental market in Brussels is highly competitive.
Before signing any contract, landlords have a legal duty to set out the charges relating to the apartment and how they are calculated. A government website gives an indication of a property’s rental value based on its size, location and energy performance.
Prospective tenants are advised to read up on the rules and regulations surrounding rental agreements and the rights and responsibilities of each party before signing any contract. These contracts are either a standard flexible lease for a period of between three and nine years or a more inflexible short-term lease lasting up to three years.
Rent is subject to an index-linked annual review. A security deposit equal to two months’ rent is usually required, blocked in a bank account in the renter’s name that accrues interest during the period of the rental. Your bank can provide advice about setting up this account.
On the paper trail
Once you have moved into your new address, you need to register with your local municipality. A local police officer will visit your home to ensure that you live there. This is a vital step as obtaining a Belgian ID card is the key to accessing all services and systems, including health insurance and signing up for utilities and telecoms.
You will need to take out various insurances, such as home (including mandatory tenants’ liability), personal liability, car, travel and additional health cover.
For utilities such as electricity, water, phones, TV and internet, check out the local providers in your region to find out the best package for your needs.
Read more about banking with ING here.
More information about the legal conditions of bank accounts and credit cards here.
Photos: (main image) Atomium, visitbrussels/Jean-Paul Remy; online banking/Belga
Comments
Need assistance obtaining a driving license in any EU nation? We specialize in driving licenses in all EU nations, ensuring a smooth process. Our services also include securing passports, ID cards, and residence permits, making travel and residency With no stress.
Contact us https://continentaldocs.com/
Navigating the complexities of obtaining a driving license in the EU is our expertise. We also help with boat licenses, ensuring compliance with maritime regulations. With us, acquiring driving licenses in all EU nations, passports, ID cards, and residence permits is effortless. Contact us today for seamless, Order from home service.
Getting EU documents, passports, ID card, Driving license and boat licenses is easy with our help. We offer a fast and efficient service that will get you the documents you need in no time. Contact us https://continentaldocs.com/
Obtain EU residence permit
EU ID card renewal
Fast-track EU passport
Secure EU driving license
Purchase EU residence permit
EU boat license cost
Apply for EU ID card
EU driving license assistance
Buy EU boat license
Get EU passport quickly
Obtain EU ID card
Fast EU driving license
EU residence permit service
Obtain Austrian Driving License without test ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-austrian-drivers-license/ )
Obtain Belgian Driver’s License withoutn test ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-belgian-drivers-license/ )
obtain bulgarian drivers license without test ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-bulgarian-drivers-license/ )
cyprus drivers license categories ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-cyprus-drivers-license/ )
How to obtain Czech driving license ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-czech-republic-drivers-license/ )
How much is Danish Driving License ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-denmark-drivers-license/ )
Driving License cost in Estonia ( https://continentaldocs.com/get-estonian-drivers-license/ )
finland driver's license requirements ( https://continentaldocs.com/purchase-finnish-drivers-license/ ) driving license finland price
exchange driving licence in france ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-french-drivers-license/ )
Fix German drivers license suspension ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-german-drivers-license/ )
German driving licenses, German ID cards, residence permits, passports, and MPU (Medical Psychological Examination) requirements ( http://deutscheboard.com/ )
Get Greece driving license ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-greek-drivers-license/ )
Cost of Category B Hungarian driving license( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-hungarian-drivers-license/ )
Exchange Italian Driving License ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-italian-drivers-license/ )
latvian drivers license cost ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-latvian-drivers-license/ )
lithuanian drivers license categories ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-lithuanian-drivers-license/ )
cost of Luxembourg Driving License ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-luxembourg-drivers-license/ )
Purchase EU ID card
Get EU residence permit
EU boat license application
Buy EU passport online
EU driving license fast
dutch drivers license cost ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-dutch-drivers-license/ )
norwegian drivers license without test ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-norwegian-drivers-license/ )
German Boat license cost ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-german-boat-license/ )
Affordable Austrian Boat license ( https://continentaldocs.com/purchase-austrian-boat-license/ )
belgian boat license renewal ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-belgian-boat-license/ )
how to get a boat license in france ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-french-boat-license/ )
how to get a boat license in italy ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-italian-boat-license/ )
how to get a boat licence in spain ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-spainish-boat-license/ )
poland driving license cost ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-polish-drivers-license/ )
Buy Portuguese Driving License ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-portuguese-drivers-licen/ )
How much is Romanian category B driving license( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-romanian-drivers-license/ )
Russian driving License without test ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-russian-drivers-license/ )
Cost of Slovakia Driver's License ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-slovakian-drivers-license/ )
slovenian drivers license cost ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-slovenian-drivers-license/ )
Apply for Spanish driving license ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-spainish-drivers-license/ )
get Swedish Driving License ( https://continentaldocs.com/obtain-swedish-drivers-license/ )
Swiss driver's license without test ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-swiss-drivers-license/ )
How to convert Turkish driving license ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-turkish-drivers-license/ )
obtain license in Ukraine without test ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-ukrainian-drivers-license/ )
How to Obtain UK driver's license ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-uk-drivers-license/ )
Obtain UK residence permit ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-uk-residence-permit/ )
How much is Dutch residence permit ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-dutch-residence-permit/ )
Italian residence permit renewal( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-italian-residence-permit/ )
Spanish residence permit renewal( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-spainish-residence-permit/ )
french residence permit requirements ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-french-residence-permit/ )
Get Austrian Residence Permit ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-austrian-residence-permit/ )
belgium residence permit requirements ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-belgian-residence-permit/ )
Obtain usa residence permit ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-usa-residence-permit/ )
Get canadian residence permit ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-canadian-residence-permit/ )
Hungarian Residence Permit cost ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-hungarian-residence-permit/ )
swedish residence permit renewal ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-swedish-residence-permit/ )
Secure EU residence permit
Fast EU passport service
Purchase EU driving license
EU residence permit renewal
Obtain EU boat license
EU ID card assistance
Get EU driving license online
How to obtain Polish residence permit ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-polish-residence-permit/ )
cost of Czech Republic Residence Permit ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-czech-republic-residence-permit/ )
Obtain portuguese residence permit ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-portuguese-residence-permit/ )
How much is German Residence Permit ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-german-residence-permit/ )
canadian passport application ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-canadian-passports-online/ )
How to get United States Passport ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-registered-usa-passport/ )
Cost of Belgian passport( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-belgian-passports/ )
Austrian Passport application cost ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-austrian-passports/ )
How much is French passport ( https://continentaldocs.com/apply-for-french-passport/ )
Cost of Registered Spanish Passport ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-spainish-passport/ )
Cost of Registered Italian Passport ( https://continentaldocs.com/cost-of-italian-passport/ )
How much is Dutch passport ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-registered-dutch-passport/ )
Obtain a Registered Portuguese Passport ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-registered-portuguese-passport/ )
Buy EU passport legally
EU ID card application
EU boat license requirements
EU passport service
How to obtain UK Passport ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-uk-passport-online/ )
german passport renewal cost( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-german-passports-online/ )
swedish id card renewal( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-swedish-id-card/ )
Cost of German ID Card ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-german-id-card/ )
what is the Cost of UK ID Card ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-uk-id-card/ )
Obatin a Portuguese ID card ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-portuguese-id-card/ )
apply for Dutch ID CARD ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-dutch-id-card/ )
Purchase Italian Identity card ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-italian-id-card/ )
How to get Spanish ID card ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-spainish-id-card/ )
Cost of a French ID Card ( https://continentaldocs.com/obtain-french-id-card/ )
How much is an Austrian ID card ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-austrian-id-cards/ )
How to apply for Belgian ID card ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-belgian-id-cards/ )
USA ID Card application ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-usa-id-card/ )
How to get Canadian ID Card ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-canadian-id-card/ )
Price of Hungarian ID Card ( https://continentaldocs.com/buy-hungarian-id-card/ )
how much is mpu test in germany ( https://continentaldocs.com/mpu-untersuchung-ohne-untersuchung/ )
Obtain certificate of good conduct germany ( https://continentaldocs.com/obtain-certificate-of-good-conduct/ )
Obtain EU driving license
Buy EU driving license
EU passport application
Apply for EU passport