English
brown concrete building beside river during daytime

A GUIDE FOR Moving TO

Belgium

brown concrete building beside river during daytime

A GUIDE FOR Moving TO

Belgium

brown concrete building beside river during daytime

A GUIDE FOR Moving TO

Belgium

GUIDE FOR

Moving to Belgium? Here is what you need to know

Moving to Belgium? Here is what you need to know

Belgium is a favourite among expats, EU professionals, students, and families thanks to its central location in Europe, high quality of life, multicultural environment, and excellent public services. Home to the European Union headquarters, famous medieval towns, world-class chocolate and beer, and a rich mix of languages and cultures, Belgium offers something for everyone. Whether you're drawn to Brussels's international atmosphere, Antwerp’s fashion and art scene, Ghent’s charm, or the peaceful countryside of Wallonia, Belgium is an inviting place to start a new chapter.

To prepare for a smooth relocation, it’s important to understand the country’s culture, work life, languages, climate, and moving costs.
This guide provides an overview of Belgium, including cultural insights, work expectations, essential language phrases, and practical tips for relocating.

How much does it cost to move to Belgium in 2025?

The cost of moving to Belgium varies depending on your origin country, the volume of belongings, and transportation method. Below are realistic price ranges for 2025.

Average moving costs by region of origin

  • From within Europe: €1,000 – €3,500

  • From the UK: €1,500 – €4,000

  • From North America (USA/Canada): €4,500 – €8,500

  • From the Middle East: €3,000 – €6,000

  • From Asia/Oceania: €5,000 – €10,500

  • From Latin America: €5,500 – €12,000

Costs depend heavily on shipment size, whether you choose shared (groupage) or full-container shipping, and any additional professional services.

Factors that influence your moving cost

  • Distance and country of origin

  • Volume of belongings (m³)

  • Transport type:

    • Sea freight – cost-effective

    • Air freight – quickest but most expensive

  • Seasonal demand: higher in summer

  • Additional services: packing, insurance, customs handling, vehicle shipment, pet relocation, storage

Typical examples

  • Move from France to Brussels with 10 m³: €1,200 – €2,000

  • Couple relocating from the USA to Antwerp with 20 m³: €5,000 – €7,500

  • Family moving from Australia to Bruges with 30 m³: €8,000 – €12,000

For precise pricing based on your needs, a personalised moving quote is the best option.

A Glimpse into Belgium

Geography and climate

Belgium is a small, compact country in Western Europe bordered by France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Despite its size, it offers a variety of landscapes:

  • Medieval cities and canals (Bruges, Ghent)

  • Bustling cosmopolitan hubs (Brussels, Antwerp)

  • Rolling hills and forests (Ardennes region)

  • North Sea coastline with sandy beaches

Climate:

  • Mild summers: averaging 18–25°C

  • Cool winters: often 0–6°C

  • Frequent rain: Belgium is known for cloudy and rainy weather year-round

  • Distinct seasons: beautiful autumns and pleasant springs

The climate contributes to Belgium’s cosy cafés, comfort food, and cultural appreciation for indoor living.

A snapshot of history

Belgium’s history is rich, complex, and shaped by various European powers.

Key historical highlights:

  • Medieval period: flourishing trade cities like Bruges and Ghent

  • Spanish, Austrian, and French rule: influencing architecture and culture

  • Independence in 1830: formation of the Kingdom of Belgium

  • World Wars I & II: Belgium played central roles in both conflicts

  • Modern Belgium: a federal state with three regions and three languages

  • EU hub: Brussels became the de facto capital of Europe

Belgium's historical blend is visible everywhere, from medieval squares to Art Nouveau masterpieces and modern EU institutions.

Diving into Belgian culture

Belgian culture is defined by diversity, hospitality, culinary traditions, and a strong appreciation for arts and community.

Food and drink

Belgium is a gastronomic highlight of Europe. Famous staples include:

  • Belgian waffles

  • Mussels and fries (moules-frites)

  • Chocolate (world-renowned)

  • Beer (over 1,500 varieties)

  • Stoofvlees (Flemish beef stew)

  • Speculoos biscuits

Belgians take pride in their cuisine, and dining is an important social activity.

Festivals

Belgium hosts a mix of lively music, cultural, and historical festivals:

  • Tomorrowland: world-famous electronic music festival

  • Carnival of Binche: UNESCO-listed tradition

  • Ghent Festival: performing arts and music

  • Brussels Flower Carpet: a spectacular event every two years

  • Christmas markets: in Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, and Antwerp

Festivals celebrate Belgium’s colourful blend of cultures and traditions.

Lifestyle and social norms

Everyday life in Belgium is shaped by:

  • Multilingualism: French, Dutch, German, and English widely spoken

  • Punctuality: being late is considered impolite

  • Politeness: Belgians are reserved but friendly

  • Work–life balance: highly valued, especially outside major cities

  • Cycling and public transport: efficient and widely used

Belgians enjoy both vibrant city life and slow-paced moments in cosy cafés and green parks.

Working in Belgium

Belgium offers a professional, structured work environment with strong employee protections.

Business culture

  • Formal and polite communication

  • Written agreements preferred

  • Hierarchies respected but workplaces are collaborative

  • Multicultural teams common, especially in Brussels

  • Work–life balance accommodated by law

  • English widely used in international companies

Job opportunities for expats

  • EU institutions and international organisations

  • Finance and banking

  • Logistics and trade

  • Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology

  • IT and engineering

  • Creative industries (fashion, design, arts)

  • Education and research

Brussels in particular attracts professionals from around the world.

Nederlands / Français / Deutsch made simple

Belgium has three official languages—Dutch, French, and German—depending on the region. Many Belgians also speak English, but learning basics helps you adapt more easily.

Common phrases

English

Dutch (Flemish)

French (Wallonia/Brussels)

German (East Belgium)

Hello

Hallo

Bonjour

Hallo

Goodbye

Tot ziens

Au revoir

Auf Wiedersehen

Thank you

Dank u

Merci

Danke

Please

Alsjeblieft

S’il vous plaît

Bitte

How are you?

Hoe gaat het?

Comment ça va ?

Wie geht’s?

I don’t understand

Ik begrijp het niet

Je ne comprends pas

Ich verstehe nicht

Where is the nearest…?

Waar is de dichtstbijzijnde…?

Où est le/la plus proche…?

Wo ist der nächste…?

Can you help me?

Kunt u mij helpen?

Pouvez-vous m’aider ?

Können Sie mir helfen?

How much does this cost?

Hoeveel kost dit?

Ça coûte combien ?

Wie viel kostet das?

Do you speak English?

Spreekt u Engels?

Parlez-vous anglais ?

Sprechen Sie Englisch?

Even simple efforts open doors in Belgium’s multilingual society.

Final thoughts

Belgium offers a unique combination of international lifestyle, historical charm, cultural richness, and excellent living standards. Whether you’re relocating for career opportunities, education, or a fresh start in the heart of Europe, Belgium provides a warm yet structured environment where newcomers thrive.

Embrace its traditions, enjoy its culinary pleasures, and discover why so many expats choose to call Belgium home.

Welkom in België! / Bienvenue en Belgique! / Willkommen in Belgien!
(Welcome to Belgium!)

If you'd like, I can also create an SEO-ready version, a shortened marketing version, or a PDF layout.

Sponsors

A + International

A + International

A + International

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A Place in the Sun Currency

A Place in the Sun Currency

A Place in the Sun Currency

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Abroad Experience Recruitment

Abroad Experience Recruitment

Abroad Experience Recruitment

Abroad Experience specializes in connecting international professionals with exciting career opportunities in the Netherlands. With a focus on multilingual job seekers, we help candidates find roles that align with their skills, ambitions, and background.

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Accountable

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Accountable

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ActiveQuote Ltd

ActiveQuote Ltd

ActiveQuote Ltd

ActiveQuote is a leading comparison platform for health insurance, providing an easy way for individuals and businesses to compare health plans from a wide range of providers. With a focus on transparency, ActiveQuote helps customers find the best insurance coverage that suits their needs and budget, whether for personal or family health insurance, or for small businesses looking to provide benefits to employees.

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Aetna Health Insurance

Aetna Health Insurance

Aetna Health Insurance

Aetna is a leading global health insurance company providing a wide range of health plans and services for individuals, families, and businesses. With a strong presence in both the United States and internationally, Aetna focuses on improving health outcomes by offering affordable and accessible healthcare coverage.

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Agato Visa & Immigration

Agato Visa & Immigration

Agato Visa & Immigration

Our life is full of metaphors; sometimes we don’t even notice them. However, if you look at today’s world through such a metaphorical lens, you understand why it can be compared to the river. It is dynamic, it is fast moving, every day it gets filled with new streams of ideas, tendencies, and innovations. Then, we can consider different organizations as banks of that river. They all have their traditions, cultural colors, and shades. That’s why there must be something to connect these banks, to make them united by common desires, ideas, business, strategies, language, etc. Therefore, our company come to serve as the bridge for that; we can build a connection between people, business organizations and various establishments. This singular belief makes ourselves and our clients’ products/services and international brand distinguishable amongst all of the rest.

All Luxury Apartments

All Luxury Apartments

All Luxury Apartments

Everyone deserves a good home. No matter where you are, you’ll need a place to return to a sanctuary where you can rest, recharge, and truly feel at home. At All Luxury Apartments, we believe that finding the perfect place shouldn’t be a challenge, which is why we connect you to the finest homes across the world.

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April International

April International

April International

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Apt Wealth Partners

Apt Wealth Partners

Apt Wealth Partners

Apt Wealth Partners is a trusted financial advisory firm based in Australia, providing expert wealth management, financial planning, and investment solutions. With a client-first approach, we help individuals, families, and businesses achieve their financial goals through tailored strategies and long-term planning.

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