Quality of life in Belgium High living standards and excellent public facilities are two of the things that have made Belgium a popular destination for expats. According to the OECD Better Life Index, Belgium offers a high quality of housing, income, employment, and education.
Is Belgium a good place to live?
Belgium is a very family-friendly country to live in. It has good educational, healthcare, and cultural facilities in all the main cities. Belgium is generally quite a safe place to live. Brussels has many municipalities popular with young families and the city has some of the best international schools.
What is living in Belgium like?
But expat life in Belgium can be wonderful. Public facilities and living standards are of a high quality. Crime rates are low in general, especially outside Brussels and Antwerp. The country is home to an outstanding healthcare system with some of the lowest private healthcare costs in the European Union (EU).
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Belgium?
Living costs in Belgium usually vary between 700 – 950 EUR/month. In big cities, you might need a larger budget, but this largely depends on accommodation type and your spending habits. Here are a few examples of average living costs in some Belgian student cities: Antwerp: between 780 – 1,230 EUR/month.
Is it expensive to live in Belgium?
Though the cost of living in Belgium is definitely high, it is nowhere near as expensive as some other western European countries. This guide will help you navigate living costs from healthcare and food to housing and transportation.
Is it hard to move to Belgium?
Paperwork mountains, unfriendly locals (in the touristy areas) and horrendous taxes. Moving to Belgium isn’t easy and living in Brussels is especially tough for newcomers.
Does Belgium speak English?
Based on these three regions, Belgium has three official languages – English, Dutch, and French. English is however not the primary language of the country. But even if it is not, a large percentage of the population speaks the English language. As such, you can speak it in different situations all over Belgium.
How much does a house cost in Belgium?
What is the price of a house in Belgium? In 2021, a house in Belgium would cost approximately 281,700 euros.
Average price of a house in Belgium from 2013 to 2021 (in euros)
| Characteristic | Average price in euros |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 262,196 |
| 2018 | 251,584 |
| 2017 | 240,451 |
| 2016 | 234,541 |
What is the average salary in Belgium?
Average gross income: 3,758 euros per month. On average, an employee working full-time in 2019 earned 3,758 euros gross per month. This is what emerged from new results of Statbel, the Belgian statistical office, based on a survey on earnings among 118,164 employees of Belgian companies.
Are taxes high in Belgium?
Tax rates in Belgium are some of the highest in Europe. For example, the rate of personal income tax can reach 50% for the highest earners, in comparison to an average of 38% in the rest of Europe. If you are a foreigner working in Belgium, you are generally liable to pay Belgian taxes and file a tax return.
Is food expensive in Belgium?
While meal prices in Belgium can vary, the average cost of food in Belgium is €34 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Belgium should cost around €14 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner.
What salary should I ask for Belgium?
Although cost of living varies considerably due to each individual’s personal preferences and situation, according to our estimations a single person would need a net salary of €1,550 to live comfortably in most Belgian cities while a family of four would typically require a net salary of at least €4,150 per month.
Is healthcare in Belgium free?
You must have health insurance cover to live in Belgium. You get health insurance by joining a health insurance fund called a ‘mutuelle’ or ‘ziekenfonds’. You may still have to pay for the medical care or health services that you use, but your health insurance fund will pay you back for some of your healthcare costs.
How safe is Belgium?
OVERALL RISK : MEDIUM. Overall, Belgium is a safe country to travel to. Crime rates are low and anything happening to you on the streets of Belgium is unlikely. The only issue to keep an eye on, apart from being vigilant for terrorist attacks, is petty theft and pickpocketing.
What is Belgium most known for?
Belgium is famous for Manneken Pis, the Atomium, the Flower Carpet, and countless beer sorts and chocolates. Its main city is the Capital of Europe and its second-largest town – the Diamond Capital of the World. Belgium is also known for its creative minds, thousands of castles, and highways lit at night.
What is the average salary in Belgium?
Average gross income: 3,758 euros per month. On average, an employee working full-time in 2019 earned 3,758 euros gross per month. This is what emerged from new results of Statbel, the Belgian statistical office, based on a survey on earnings among 118,164 employees of Belgian companies.
Is Belgium an expensive country?
Belgium squeezed into the top 20 in a ranking of the most expensive countries to live in during 2020, in a list in which European countries take up half the spots.
What is the best country in Europe to live in?
Switzerland. Switzerland tops many lists of best countries to live in thanks to its excellent quality of life, picturesque countryside and excellent education and health care systems that apply to expats and locals alike.
Is Belgium a wealthy country?
Belgium is the sixth richest country in the world: this has been confirmed in the recent edition of the Allianz Global Wealth Report 2016. The same report also demonstrates an increase in the global financial average this year. The global net fortune has grown by 7.6% to a total of 128.5 billion euros.
Is Belgium a good country to live in?
The country is, as a result, a lush, green and pleasant place to be. Also, this is not only a small country that’s beautiful to look at but one that has a very good network of roads to travel around. It’s a great location for those who like camping and walking with lots of hiking trails and several National Parks to enjoy.
How expensive is life in Belgium?
The cost of living in Belgium is $1494, which is 1.56 times more expensive than the world average. Belgium ranked 29th out of 197 countries by cost of livingand the 26th best country to live in. The average salary after taxes in Belgium is $2305, which is enough to cover living expenses for 1.5 months. Discover best places to live in Belgium.
What are the best places to visit in Belgium?
What is it like living in Belgium?
The big draws are superb and affordable healthcare, high-quality education, and fantastic food and cultural scenes. Belgium is also easily accessible to expat English speakers. Belgian people are friendly and tolerant, and crime rates are low across the country. Expat life in Belgium must have downsides, surely? Of course.