Belgium is a country that offers a wealth of potential opportunities and it has continued to attract a growing number of individuals who are looking to enjoy a change of pace. While this nation shares many similarities with its European neighbours, there are still a handful of tips and suggestions which will help those who plan on moving to Belgium in the near future. Let us take a quick look at some facts to keep in mind as well as a few worthwhile factors that should be addressed.
Language and Population Questions
There are two predominant languages spoken in Belgium. The northern half of the country tends to be associated with Dutch and Flemish while the southern regions mainly speak French. In the same respect, Flanders houses just under 60 percent of the Belgian population. This is in direct contrast to the southern province of Wallonia. Only approximately eleven percent of the population calls Wallonia home. These facts are important to recognize, as everyone arriving here has different desires in terms of living arrangements as well as language requirements.
The Cost of Living
Those who plan on moving to Belgium should always take the cost of living into account. In fact, Belgium is known as offering one of the highest standards of living within the European Union. However, this is also associated with a higher cost of living when compared to other countries such as Spain. The main benefit in regards to those arriving from the United Kingdom is that depending upon predominant exchange rates, they could benefit when converting pounds into euros.
Job Opportunities
Anyone who currently lives in the European Union has a right to live and work here. However, non-EU nationals could find this prospect a bit tougher due to the fact that companies will first need to gain the approval of the Labour Office before the hiring process can begin. We should also point out that the majority of Belgians are bilingual and they also have a very high level of English. This can be advantageous for potential jobseekers, as communications will normally not present an issue. Some predominant industries here include public sector jobs, engineering, and computing. In fact, those with highly specialized technological skills are likely to encounter a wealth of opportunities.
Official Documentation
Much like other European countries, foreigners arriving in Belgium will be required to have all of their official documents certified. This is normally in the form of a stamp known as an Apostille. Still, we should mention that this is only necessary when documents originating from outside of Belgium need to be presented (such as a birth certificate from the United Kingdom). Most international lawyers will be able to address this requirement.
Belgium can represent a truly unique opportunity for anyone who is looking for a bit of a change. Thanks to an amenable climate, a high standard of living, and an open culture, foreigners could enjoy the experience of a lifetime.
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