Research by the Dutch government has shown that many Dutch people moving to Belgium. The country has many advantages and that is also why many Dutch people live in Belgium. Of course, the country, like all other countries, also has its disadvantages. In this article, we want to highlight both sides so that we can perhaps help you a little with making the right choice. For example, have you already thought about an affordable moving company?
Moving to Belgium
One thing that is certain is that you will not just move to Belgium. Of course, several factors play a role in this. It also sometimes happens that people who go to live in Belgium simply continue to work in the Netherlands. Some people prefer to emigrate 'completely' and simply go to work in Belgium. Perhaps you are also someone who continues to work in the Netherlands? Then you must have your affairs with regard to the tax authorities in the Netherlands and Belgium in order. It is simply the case that such a situation can be quite confusing for the authorities and that some things can go a bit wrong as a result. Of course, this does not always happen, but make sure you keep a close eye on this.
But why emigrate to Belgium?
As previously stated, we want to give you a good idea of the pros and cons of emigrating to Belgium. Of course, you will be crossing the Dutch border and the trade-off is that you will be doing it for a good reason. Perhaps the country for you will even have to meet certain requirements, because we can say with certainty that a number of things will change after your emigration.
There are many reasons why people emigrate to Belgium. One person no longer finds the healthcare system in the Netherlands good and wants to get rid of his/her Dutch health insurance as soon as possible. In this case, Belgium has a public health insurance fund. And the other person finds the fixed costs in Belgium attractive, because in Belgium you pay much less per month for your car. In this case, they like to exchange their Dutch license plate for a Belgian license plate. These kinds of things are important to people, but so are other things. What you find important in your case, you have to figure out for yourself. In this article we try to help you with this.
Benefits of moving to Belgium
Belgium is a beautiful country and therefore has many advantages. Maybe you already know these, because you have visited the country often. Maybe you do not know them yet and we will tell you something new. Whatever it is, read on quickly for the advantages of emigrating to Belgium.
Belgian nature
At number 1 we have chosen the beautiful natural landscapes of the country. When you first drive into Belgium you will not expect this, but if you drive a bit further? Then you will soon come across forests and mountains. A well-known example where many Dutch people come are the Belgian Ardennes. Here you will also come across many wild animals such as deer, foxes and wild boars. It is probably because of the beautiful nature in the Belgian country that outdoor sports are extremely popular. That is why you can also cycle, walk or even swim in the beautiful streams in the Ardennes in the summer.
The official languages
When Dutch people move, they often immerse themselves in the language and culture of a country. What is very nice when you move to Belgium is that the majority of the population speaks Dutch. Often also called Flemish, but officially it is 'just' Dutch. This is of course very useful once you live in Belgium. In Belgium, approximately 60% of the population speaks Dutch. This is in the Flemish part. This of course makes emigrating a lot easier. In Wallonia, the southern part, French is spoken and the capital Brussels is bilingual. Furthermore, German is spoken in the border areas in the east of the country. Belgium therefore has 3 official languages. Dutch, French and German.
True Burgundians
Belgians are known to be real Burgundians. Enjoy a nice extensive dinner or a nice glass of wine with lunch. The aperitif usually starts around 5:00 PM with a drink. Think of a nice Belgian beer. When you just live there, you will either have to get used to it or you will enjoy a wonderful holiday feeling, because we Dutch are of course not used to this at all.
The Belgian cuisine
Belgium has world-famous chefs and therefore they also have many restaurants with Michelin stars. Belgian chefs also often use local products, because Belgium has very good quality products to offer. Examples of these good local products are the well-known fresh mussels and shrimps. The pork and famous vegetables such as asparagus. Each region in Belgium also has special elements in its own kitchen. Think of fish in the regions by the sea or fresh game in the Ardennes.
World famous Belgian products
Furthermore, we all know Belgian beer, chocolate and of course fries! As you can read, you better open a Belgian bank account with a lot of savings soon after your move, because you will definitely enjoy the life and food in the country.
The housing market
When you compare a house in Belgium with the Netherlands, one thing you will immediately notice is the low house price. The houses are a lot cheaper, which is why many Dutch people choose to buy a house in Belgium. Not only are the costs a lot lower, but if you want to live in Belgium you actually get more for your money. In the Netherlands, for example, you can buy a small terraced house with a certain amount, while in Belgium you can probably buy a detached house with the same amount. Also, fewer permits are required when you want to renovate your house, so you also have more freedom to realize your dream house. We must also say that it also depends on the Belgian municipality in which you are going to live. Of course, one is more expensive than the other. In our country, one Dutch municipality is of course also more expensive than the other. If you want more information about this, you can of course always contact a Belgian real estate agent.
Disadvantages of moving to Belgium
As you have read, living in Belgium has its advantages. However, the country, like any other country, also has its disadvantages. Therefore, read on quickly to find out more about the disadvantages of living in Belgium.
The Belgians and taxes
The Dutch always think that Dutch taxes are not nice, but they probably do not know the Belgian taxes yet. In terms of tax burden, Belgium is in the top 10 in Europe in terms of tax burden. In Belgium there are four brackets. The first bracket concerns an income up to €12,540. For this you pay 25% tax. The second bracket concerns an income of the aforementioned up to €23,900. For this you pay 40% tax. Do you earn even more up to an amount of €41,360? Then you pay 45% tax. For amounts above the latter amount, 50% tax is paid. As you can see, you quickly end up in a higher tax bracket in Belgium. So it may happen that you even miss the Dutch tax authorities!
The official languages
Yes, yes. This is also on our list of advantages. It is of course very nice that Dutch is spoken in most of Belgium. What you should not forget is that this is Flemish. As Dutch people we think that it is easy to understand, but certain dialects and accents that are spoken in some areas sometimes make the language incomprehensible to us Dutch people. Of course, people will speak more slowly and try to help you, so this can still work out quite well. It is also on this list because in Wallonia mainly French is spoken and in a small area in the east German again. Do you not know these languages? Then the integration will also be a bit more difficult.
The weather
Maybe you have visited a few cities in Belgium before and you know that the weather can sometimes not be so nice. Actually, it is very similar to the Netherlands. Many people often emigrate to a warmer country with a mild climate, because we don't have this in the Netherlands of course. Are you also looking for nice weather and a mild climate? Then Belgium is unfortunately not the right place for you. The country has relatively cold summers and mild winters, just like the Netherlands. Furthermore, it can also be very changeable, just like at home in the Netherlands. But maybe you are an autumn/winter type and you love the Dutch weather? Then of course we didn't say anything at all!
Everyone's personal situation
When you are going to emigrate you can or should look at all factors well to be able to make a good decision. Making a handy checklist for yourself would be a good idea. Look at what you want to change, what your expectations are and what you want to achieve with this step in your life.
Furthermore, moving to Belgium is of course a big step. Many people also find it scary, because how are you going to build a new life in a new country? Make new friends? We want to give you a tip that you really have to do your best to build a social life after moving abroad. This may cost some energy in the beginning, but in the end you are doing it for a good cause!
International moving companies
Furthermore, you will of course also need a removal company to be able to move your belongings abroad. When moving to Belgium, it is important that you look for an international removal company. They often have extensive experience with removals abroad and therefore know exactly what they need and have to do to ensure that your removal goes smoothly. The removal men who work for these companies also know exactly how everything works.
How much does it cost to move to Belgium with an international moving company?
For an international moving company it is very difficult to calculate the exact prices for a move abroad without any information about your move. When moving, there are a number of things that you have no influence on. Think of fuel costs, the size of your belongings and the accessibility of your home. Furthermore, there are also costs that are not necessarily necessary to make, but that can make your move a lot easier. You usually want this when you are moving. Some examples of these costs are hiring extra movers, hiring a handyman or a packing/unpacking service.
Request quotes from multiple moving companies
We understand that you would like a price calculation for your move to Belgium and that is why we advise you to request moving quotes from multiple moving companies. You do have to pay close attention to this, because this is not always free and sometimes you will also be immediately tied to agreements that you do not want at all.
Request free quotes from Moova
At Moova you can easily request free quotes from multiple international moving companies before you move and live in Belgium. The good thing about this service from Moova is not only that requesting these quotes is free, but it is also completely without obligation. This means that you are not committed to anything when you request it, unless you choose to do so later. Filling in your details on the website takes a maximum of 2 minutes and then you will receive the quotes as soon as possible. After this you can take your time to look at which moving company appeals to you most and then you can make appointments here. How easy is that!?
Finally
We hope that we have been able to help you a little with this article. Furthermore, we would also like to point out that it is very important to do some additional research yourself about living in Belgium. For example, take a good look at the social security in the country and the social insurances. Do you have children? Then also take a good look at any Belgian child benefit. Do they actually have this? Is it an acceptable amount? Other practical matters are also important. For example, think about when you should apply for a Belgian driving license. We also answer many of these questions in the other articles on our website. So feel free to take a look around!
