Relocating to Belgium as an Expat: Key Advantages, Pitfalls, and Overlooked Aspects

Published on January 17, 2026 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Moving to Belgium is becoming increasingly attractive to executives, families, and students. Between European institutions, a high standard of living, an ideal geographical location, and an efficient healthcare system, the country ticks many boxes on paper. However, daily reality is more nuanced: heavy taxation, a tight housing market in some cities, administrative complexity, and linguistic integration challenges can seriously complicate the experience.

This article provides a detailed overview of the main advantages and disadvantages of expatriating to Belgium, based on recent data and concrete comparisons. The goal: to enable you to lucidly assess whether Belgium matches your life project and personal situation.

A High Standard of Living and a Strong Economy

Belgium belongs to the club of Europe’s most developed economies. GDP per capita exceeds 49,000 euros and the average disposable income (nearly 29,000 euros per person) is significantly higher than the European Union average. The country ranks high in international rankings: 14th in the Human Development Index, quality of life judged “very high,” and performance above the OECD average in income, housing, health, education, and civic engagement.

For an expat, this translates into a generally comfortable environment: modern infrastructure, efficient public services, a dense social safety net, and some of the highest salaries in Europe, especially in sectors like finance, technology, or healthcare.

High Salaries… But Heavily Taxed

In terms of salaries, Belgium is in the upper tier of the European range: the average gross salary is around 3,800 euros per month, the median salary is close to 3,300 euros, and the monthly minimum wage exceeds 1,800 euros. Many executives and technical specialists can expect significantly higher compensation, sometimes well beyond 5,000 euros gross per month.

The table below gives an idea of the orders of magnitude (federal, excluding municipal surtax):

Annual Taxable Income Bracket	Approximate Federal Tax Rate
Up to ~€16,000	25%
~€16,000 – ~€28,800	40%
~€28,800 – ~€49,800	45%
Above ~€49,800	50%

For highly skilled expatriates, a specific tax regime can mitigate this pressure, but it is strictly regulated. We will come back to this later.

A Robust, But Multi-Speed Economy

Belgium is not a homogeneous bloc. The country is federal, structured into three regions – Flanders, Wallonia, and the Brussels-Capital Region – which display very different economic realities. Flanders has a high employment rate (around 73%) and low unemployment (around 4%), Brussels combines high incomes with more massive unemployment (around 11%), while Wallonia remains marked by higher unemployment (nearly 12%).

The flip side: Belgium also has high public debt, inflation still above the European target, and real social disparities. About 12% of the population is at risk of poverty and nearly one-fifth at risk of social exclusion. These figures do not prevent a high average standard of living but remind us that prosperity is not evenly distributed.

A High But Not Unaffordable Cost of Living

Belgium is among the most expensive countries in Europe but remains generally more affordable than some neighboring capitals like London, Amsterdam, or Copenhagen. For an expat coming from North America or Northern Europe, the cost of living is often perceived as “high but manageable,” provided the budget is adjusted.

For a single person, total monthly expenses (including housing) are around €1,700–€1,800 nationally and easily rise to €2,000–€2,300 in Brussels for a comfortable lifestyle. A family of four should aim for about €4,500 per month, or more in Brussels.

Housing: Very Contrasting Rents Depending on the City

Housing is by far the largest expense. The market is tight, especially in major cities, with rising rents in recent years. However, Belgium is distinguished by a significant price difference between Brussels and medium-sized cities or some areas of Wallonia.

City	Average Monthly Rent (Apartment)	Comment
Brussels	~€1,415	Most expensive city, high demand, 60% renters
Antwerp	~€1,051	Major port, rents 5% lower than Brussels
Ghent	~€986	University city, dynamic market
Bruges	~€770	Touristic but slightly cheaper housing
Liège	~€824	Main Walloon city, more affordable than Ghent/Antwerp
Charleroi	~€667	One of the cheapest cities, more difficult reputation

A studio or small one-bedroom apartment in downtown Brussels easily exceeds €1,000–€1,100, while three-bedroom apartments can climb to €1,900–€2,000, especially in sought-after neighborhoods close to European institutions. Outlying municipalities or cities like Namur, Mons, or Charleroi offer significantly lower rents, at the cost of longer commutes and a sometimes less international environment.

For buyers, Belgium has seen a strong price increase since 2020, with the average house price exceeding €350,000 nationally and over half a million in Brussels. Acquisition costs (registration duties or VAT, notary fees, various costs) are significant, often between 11% and over 20% of the price, making purchasing an option to consider mainly if staying long-term.

Utilities, Food, and Daily Expenses

Utilities (electricity, heating, water, internet) are among the most expensive in Europe. For a medium-sized apartment, you can expect €150 to €230 in monthly utility costs depending on the city and consumption, plus about €50 per month for decent internet.

Public transport, in contrast, remains very affordable: a monthly pass around €50–€60 in major cities, a single ticket around €2.20–€2.70. Using a car is expensive (insurance, taxes, fuel, parking) in a country also known for its traffic jams, particularly in Brussels.

A Healthcare System Among the Best in the World

This is one of Belgium’s biggest strengths: its universal healthcare system, accessible and of a very high standard. Various rankings have placed it in the top tier in Europe and even worldwide, with an extremely low rate of unmet medical needs (about 1% of the population, compared to more than double the European average).

How Healthcare Coverage Works for an Expat

Any resident who lives and/or works in Belgium must mandatorily join a health insurance fund (or ziekenfonds in Dutch). These are non-profit health insurance funds, all subject to the same basic rules but distinguished by complementary benefits and sometimes a political or philosophical orientation (Christian, socialist, liberal, neutral, etc.).

For a newcomer, the procedure involves several steps: registration at the local municipality to obtain a national number, affiliation with social security (often handled by the employer), then choosing and registering with a health insurance fund. Affiliation is mandatory within 90 days of arrival, otherwise retroactive payment of contributions is required and all medical costs must be borne alone.

What Is Covered, What Is Less Covered

In practice, most routine consultations remain relatively affordable. A visit to a general practitioner costs around €25–€30, most of which is reimbursed; with a specialist, it’s often around €50, with an out-of-pocket cost of only about ten euros. A night in a shared hospital room usually involves a modest co-payment (about €20 per day). Heavy treatments like cancer are largely covered, sometimes up to 95–100%.

On the other hand, some areas are much less well reimbursed, or not at all. This is particularly true for dentistry (scaling, prosthetics, implants), some optical care, contraception, or so-called alternative medicine. A dental crown can cost around €1,200 with only €300 covered, leaving €900 to pay, while a dental implant around €2,500 is generally not reimbursed at all by the basic system.

Simple Access, But Nuances to Know

Another advantage: free choice of provider. You can freely consult a specialist without a referral from your general practitioner, although this sometimes slightly reduces the reimbursement rate. Online booking platforms are numerous, and in large cities, many doctors speak English, making life easier for non-French or Dutch speakers.

The flip side for a new expat lies mainly in three aspects: the waiting period that some health insurance funds apply to new members, during which care is less or not reimbursed; the need to advance most costs before reimbursement; and the complexity of pricing (“conventioned” doctors who adhere to official rates, or “non-conventioned” doctors who can charge significant supplements).

Overall, however, the Belgian healthcare system remains a very positive point of expatriation, especially for families with children, people with chronic illnesses, or retirees.

Generous Social Protection, Very Appreciable for Families

Beyond healthcare, Belgium stands out for an extremely comprehensive social security system: family allowances, paid parental leave, unemployment benefits, pensions, housing assistance, support for the elderly or people with disabilities. For an expat who contributes, these mechanisms can represent a valuable safety net.

Family allowances, for example, are paid for each child up to 18 years old (or longer if studying), with basic amounts, social supplements for low-income households, and birth or adoption bonuses. Maternity and paternity leave are paid, with wage replacement rates relatively high by European standards.

For low-income households, support mechanisms exist (social integration allowance, supplements for the elderly with limited income, food assistance via public social welfare centers). In practice, access to these benefits for an expat will depend on their residence status, length of residence, and any bilateral agreements between Belgium and their country of origin.

A Quality Education Landscape, But High Costs in International Schools

Education is another pillar of Belgium’s appeal. Public spending per student is among the highest in the OECD, the enrollment rate is very high from preschool age (nearly 96%), and compulsory education lasts from 6 to 18 years. Belgian universities – KU Leuven, Ghent University, some French-speaking institutions – enjoy a good international reputation, with tuition fees significantly lower than in many Anglo-Saxon countries.

Public Schools and Languages of Instruction

For an expat, public education is free (excluding ancillary fees) but is conducted mainly in Dutch, French, or German depending on the region. This can be a powerful integration vector for children, but also a challenge, especially for those arriving late in the curriculum without mastering the local language.

Exploding Costs in International Schools

In major cities, and especially in Brussels, the offer of international schools is very dense: European schools linked to EU institutions, British, American, international bilingual French-English or Dutch-English schools, schools following IB, Cambridge programs, etc. These structures attract many expat families who want an international curriculum and/or to keep their native language as the main language of instruction.

For families whose employer covers tuition fees, this is a tremendous advantage; for those who have to bear them alone, it can sometimes be a major obstacle to long-term expatriation.

A Dynamic Job Market, But Very Selective for Some Profiles

The presence of European institutions, NATO, major NGOs, and many multinationals makes Belgium, and particularly Brussels, a very attractive employment hub. Highly qualified and multilingual workers often find interesting opportunities there, well-paid and promising in terms of career.

Sought-After Profiles and Growth Sectors

High-demand areas – and therefore more open to expats – include IT, cybersecurity, engineering, logistics, healthcare, education, but also consulting, finance, European affairs, and lobbying. The three regions also publish annual lists of shortage occupations, which sometimes facilitates obtaining a work permit.

Work Permits, Visas, and Administrative Complexity

For nationals of the European Economic Area and Switzerland, working in Belgium is relatively simple, without a specific work permit. However, citizens of third countries often have to go through long and technically demanding procedures: work permit, residence permit, and now a “single permit” that combines both for stays longer than 90 days.

The system is all the more complex as each region (Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels) manages its own employment rules, within an already heavy institutional framework. Usually, the employer initiates the application, and processing times can range from a few weeks to several months. For some highly qualified profiles (EU Blue Card, researchers) or shortage occupations, conditions are relaxed, but paperwork remains substantial.

Discrimination and Specific Difficulties for Non-Europeans

A more sensitive aspect must also be mentioned: several studies have documented discrimination in hiring against people perceived as foreign, especially of non-European origin. Application tests have shown that similar profiles with a “foreign-sounding” name have up to twice the risk of having their application rejected.

Diploma recognition, the language barrier (Dutch in Flanders, French in Wallonia and Brussels), and a job market sometimes wary of non-EU citizens complicate access to qualified employment for some expats. In practice, highly qualified foreigners in shortage sectors generally do well, but others find themselves (overrepresented in precarious or part-time jobs).

Taxation: A Real Downside, Even with an Expat Regime

When talking about Belgium, the word “taxes” quickly comes up in conversation. The country clearly ranks among the most taxed in Europe in terms of labor taxation. For an expat, this is immediately felt in the net salary.

Employee social security contributions reach about 13% of gross salary, with employer contributions around 25%. To these are added a very progressive income tax, plus municipal tax. In practice, a comfortable income can end up being cut by more than half once all deductions are applied.

The Special Regime for Incoming Workers and Researchers

For highly qualified profiles, a special regime was introduced in 2022, replacing the old expatriate status. It is open to people meeting several conditions: not having been a Belgian tax resident nor worked in Belgium in the last five years, not living in immediate proximity to the Belgian border before arrival, and receiving a high minimum annual gross salary (threshold recently lowered but still significant).

For the majority of others, the reality is more prosaic: an excellent social system and good-quality public services, certainly, but funded by some of the highest levies in the world.

Cost and Quality of Life by City: A Compromise to Find

Beyond overall figures, the expatriate experience varies enormously depending on the city of residence. Belgium offers a wide choice: bustling international capital, dynamic port, student city, historic tourist center, Walloon city in transition… Each context has its advantages and irritants.

The following table outlines a simplified comparison:

City	Main Strengths for Expats	Major Drawbacks
Brussels	European hub, international jobs, rich cultural life	High rents, traffic, pollution, social contrasts
Antwerp	Dynamic port, fashion and design, slightly lower rents	Areas to avoid at night, very Flemish profile
Ghent	Lively university city, very safe, pleasant to walk	Limited housing supply, rising rents
Liège	Lower cost of living, modernization, proximity to Germany	Few international schools, French necessary
Bruges	Historic setting, high quality of life, tourist city	Limited job market outside tourism and services
Charleroi	Very cheap housing, city in transition	Poor reputation, cleanliness and crime issues

For a single expat working in a European institution, Brussels remains almost unavoidable. For a family seeking space, greenery, and good schools, green suburbs like Tervuren, Waterloo or certain municipalities of Antwerp and Ghent are often popular. For a tight budget, Walloon cities like Namur, Mons, or Liège offer an interesting compromise between cost and quality of life, provided a less international dimension is accepted.

Multilingualism, Integration, and Divisions: A Fascinating but Complex Country

Belgium is officially trilingual (Dutch, French, German), and English is very widely spoken, especially in professional and urban circles. This creates a linguistic environment often comfortable for expats, particularly in Brussels where English serves as the working language in many sectors.

Language: Asset or Barrier Depending on the Region

In Flanders, Dutch is essential for deep integration. Many Flemish speak English, but the use of French is sometimes politically and emotionally sensitive. In the local professional life, relying only on English quickly limits prospects, especially outside international environments.

A Very Diverse Country, But Still Marked by Discrimination

Belgium is one of the most cosmopolitan countries in Europe, especially in its major cities. In Brussels, a large majority of the population is of foreign origin, and some neighborhoods gather over 160 different nationalities. This blend is reflected in gastronomy, cultural life, associations, and contributes to a stimulating environment for expats.

This diversity does not prevent tensions or discrimination. Studies point to significant gaps in employment, housing conditions, or academic results for people of non-European origin. Research has also shown the impact of hiring discrimination, especially for candidates with a name perceived as foreign. In some private housing sectors, discriminatory practices persist, even for perfectly solvent tenants.

For a white, highly qualified expat working in an international organization, these realities are sometimes less visible. For other profiles, the experience can be more ambivalent, with a feeling of remaining “on the margins” of Belgian society, despite the years.

Highly qualified white expatriate in an international organization

Culture of Compromise, Social Distance, and Daily Integration

Belgian social life is often described as friendly but reserved. Belgians are not known for opening up easily or engaging in grand displays of affection, and the “circle of friends” often forms slowly. Politeness and discretion dominate interactions. In the professional sphere, communication is relatively direct but polite, and management styles vary between a more participative Flemish model and a more hierarchical Walloon model.

For an expat, this can create a feeling of isolation, especially if one remains confined to an exclusively expat circle. Integration often comes through participation in sports clubs, associations, cultural activities, or language courses. Belgium offers mandatory or strongly encouraged integration pathways in Flanders, and more flexible ones in Wallonia and Brussels, with language courses and social orientation modules.

Mobility, Traffic, and Environment: A Compact Country, But Saturated

On paper, Belgium offers serious mobility advantages: dense rail network, good international connections (Paris and Amsterdam 1.5 hours by train from Brussels, London in less than 3 hours), well-developed public transport in major cities, tram and metro networks, cycling infrastructure being strengthened.

Public transport remains a credible and inexpensive alternative, although delays and cancellations are not rare. Walking and cycling are increasingly practiced, especially in cities like Ghent or Antwerp which have invested heavily in cycle paths and pedestrian zones.

Environmentally, Belgium has a mixed record: air quality rather good overall but degraded near major roads, pollution concentrated in industrialized and urban areas, but also many parks, forests, and countryside quickly accessible from cities.

Safety, Equality, and Rights: Generally Good Indicators

Belgium overall shows a decent level of safety: the homicide rate is low, violent crime remains limited, and major risks for expats concentrate on petty crime (theft, pickpocketing, burglary). Some cities, like Ghent or Bruges, are regularly perceived as very safe, while Brussels or Charleroi suffer from a more mixed image, although statistics show situations varying greatly from one neighborhood to another.

In Summary: For Whom Is Belgium a Good Expatriation Destination?

Expatriating to Belgium is above all about accepting a set of compromises.

On the advantages side, the country offers:

– a strong economy and a promising job market for qualified and multilingual profiles;

– a high standard of living, with excellent health, education, and quality of life indicators;

– a very high-quality public healthcare system, nearly universal, and a dense social safety net;

– remarkable cultural diversity, particularly in Brussels and Antwerp;

– an ideal geographical location in the heart of Europe, facilitating professional and personal travel.

On the disadvantage side, one must deal with: high labor taxation reducing purchasing power, a significant cost of living especially for housing in major cities, a complex administration (federal, regional, community-based) making procedures difficult, linguistic divisions and structural discrimination that can hinder integration, and congested road traffic and high car ownership costs.

For a recent graduate or an experienced employee recruited by a European institution, an NGO, or a large international company, Belgium can represent an exceptional career springboard, with an overall very good quality of life. For a family with children, the country can offer a safe environment, quality schools, and reassuring social protection, provided the housing and education budget is well anticipated.

Ultimately, Belgium is neither a tax haven nor a socialist hell, neither an El Dorado nor a deterrent. It is a complex country, prosperous but demanding, friendly but reserved, where the success of an expatriation depends largely on preparation, professional project, linguistic profile, and the ability to navigate a unique institutional system. For those who take the time to understand these dynamics, the experience can prove extremely enriching, both personally and professionally.