Here’s a short and helpful list of steps to be taken before and when you arrive in Brussels.

Visa requirements will depend on your nationality, on the duration of your stay (more or less than 3 months) and the purpose of your stay.  Useful info : Short stay visas are Schengen visas  which allow you to travel freely within the Schengen countries for a maximum stay of up to 90 days in a 6 month period. To enquire about visa requirements, please contact the Belgian consulate/embassy in your area/region.

Whether an EU national or not, on arrival in Belgium, anyone intending to stay for more than three months  must register in person at their local city hall(maison communale) within eight working days. Those who are not visa exempted will be asked to provide the proof of visa for their stay.  All people, Belgian or not, resident in Belgium are issued residency or identity cards.   This card allows you to travel freely within the Schengen area as long as it’s valid (5 years max).

Please register, contact or simply visit the website of your national embassy or consulate in Belgium. Embassies and consulates usually provide a lot of useful information for settling in, on Brussels and on all the activities of your fellow countrymen in Belgium.

If you have children, we would advise you to enquire about schools and their location before choosing your home.  Brussels is ranked as one of Europe’s top worst traffic jam capitals.  Therefore, transportation options between your childrens’ school, your office and your home are really key elements to consider.

Get a phone number. You don’t have to choose your network operator right away. Most operators propose top-up cards which can be converted (or not) into subscriptions later on.  Please wait until you subscribe for television, internet and land line phone (Triple play).   The three major phone operators in Belgium are : PROXIMUS, MOBISTAR and BASE.

Open a bank account. Most banks will ask for the document attesting that you have applied for a resident card before they allow you to open a bank account. If you already possess a resident card,  you can open very easily a bank account online at one of the country’s major banks.

Find a home: Rental agencies will help you find the home that fits your needs and expectations very efficiently.  You can however hunt yourself for the ideal location through the most popular website www.immoweb.be for real estate purchase and leasing transactions.  This website  includes plenty of useful information on moving, insurance, leases  etc. 

Mobility :  Try public transportation through VILLO for bikes, CAMBIO for shared cars, MOBIB for metro, trams and buses.

Here below you will find the most useful links and contacts for an easy start in Brussels :

• List of Belgian embassies and consulates abroad : http://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/services/embassies_and_consulates/belgian_embassies_and_consulates_abroad/
• List of foreign embassies/consulates in Brussels: http://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/services/embassies_and_consulates/foreign_embassies_and_consulates_in_Belgium/
• BELO, the Brussels-Europe Liaison Office, provides free administrative assistance to European expats settling in Brussels : www.blbe.be
• The Brussels Capital Region Portal: http://www.brussels.irisnet.be/
• Immoweb: www.immoweb.be
• The perfect flatshare : www.apartager.be
• Ministry of the Brussels-Capital Region, Direction de la Politique de l'Emploi et de l'Economie plurielle, Cellule Permis de travail
  CCN, Brussels-Nord station, Rue du Progrès 80, 1035 Brussels
  Phone: +32 (0)2 204 13 99
  Online:

Source : http://expatsinbrussels.be/

Quels que soient votre nationalité et votre pays d’expatriation, BELEXPAT vous offre une large gamme de garanties au meilleur prix :

For private individuals.

MAGELLAN (APRIL) : Insurance package for stays abroad worldwide for less than a year. Two options : MINI for covering big risks only or FULL package to cover all fragile risks.
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FOREIGNERS PLAN (AIG) : This option covers foreigners under age 65 and their families, staying temporarily in the Schengen area including United Kingdom and Ireland. It provides for refunding of medical expenses, covering death by accident, cases of disability and offers the option “Assistance” as well as repatriation.
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INTERNATIONAL HEALTH PLAN (AIG) : Suitable for all individuals up to 65 years worldwide for any stay for 1 year maximum. This option provides for outpatient hospital expenses and medical care resulting from an accident or illness abroad with an extension of intervention period when back home.
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INDIVIDUAL HEALTH CARE INSURANCE SCHEME (Allianz Worldwide Care) : this package of health care insurance is designed for expats living in the world with a choice of 3 distinct areas of coverage (worldwide, world except the United States, Africa only). It includes the reimbursement of hospital expenses with 4 levels of guaranties and complement current medical, dental and repatriation choice. It exits also a special insurance Health plan for people who are living in Latin America.
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AMBASSADE (APRIL) : Insurance option dedicated to expatriates of all nationalities, staying for more than a year abroad. Whether you’re travelling alone or with your family, this contract will give you full coverage for health care with 3 levels of guarantees for refunding expenses for hopital stay, ambulatory costs, dental and optical expenses.
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For companies.

COLLECTIVE HEALTH CARE INSURANCE SCHEME (Allianz Worldwide CareWC) : This pack health care insurance is designed for diplomats, members of international organizations or profesionals who are posted worldwide. It includes the reimbursement of hospital expenses with 4 levels of guarantees and complement current medical, dental and repatriation choice. There is a specific plan for people who are sent to Latin America..
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WORLD BUSINESS CARD (AIG) : Insurance package + Assistance valid worldwide. The 3 otions, Silver, Gold and Platinum give you flexibility and choices for business men and liberal professions. There is also an alternative option “Group Plus” dedicated to companies and generally to any legal entity.
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TRAVEL AND EVENTS (AIG) : This option covers consequences of accidents that might happen during an event such as team building, work shops, meetings, etc in Belgium or abroad. It is also possible to extend the coverage for luggage and to benefit from the AIG Assistance package for events abroad.
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For students.

CRYSTAL STUDIES (APRIL) : Option for staying abroad for less than a year for students, trainees and student exchanges. It covers : Health expenses, repatriation, legal aid, psycholgical counselling, liability, death benefit or disability, delayed departure, luggage.
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EXPAT STUDENT (APRIL) : for students of all nationalities studying abroad for more than 12 months. Package includes the following : Health cover from the 1st Euro spent, repatriation, legal aid, psychological counseilling, private civil liability, personal accident insurance, insurance for exams.
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For tourist trips.

Fire insurance

The Housing VIVIUM of Fire insurance offers extended warranties and options via 3 optional coverages and 3 packs. Indeed, each house is unique and each one is different inside. You can choose the insurance that fits your needs. Fill in fire insurance quote form and send it back to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Move insurance

BELEXPAT negotiated very favorable terms with JEAN VERHEYEN S.A. to ensure your move to Belgium. The cover is ALL RISKS for what is packed, shipped and unpacked by the removal firm.  For a personalized quote, thank you to fill in the move form  and send it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..