Working in Belgium

Belgium is a very diverse country that is home to about 11 million people and borders France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

The country has two primary languages, Flemish and French, while there are also many German speaking residents. Much of the Flemish community resides in northern Belgium, the French community in southern Belgium and the German community near the border of Germany to the east.

Despite this diversity, Belgium has a strong uniform culture that has impacted Europe and the world. The country is well known to tourists for its beer, chocolate and waffles.

Belgium is a founding member of the European Union, with the EU’s headquarters being based in the country’s headquarters, Brussels.

The Working Holiday program between Australia and Belgium was setup to encourage cultural exchange and closer ties between the two countries by allowing young people to have an extended holiday funded by short-term employment.

Under the arrangement, Australians aged between 18 and 30 are allowed to travel to Belgium for a working holiday for up to 12 months.

Belgium’s Working Holiday visa summary

Visa: Working holiday
Age: 18 to 30
Length of stay: 12 months
Application fee: $150
Processing time: 4-6 weeks

Requirements / Eligibility for a Working Holiday in Belgium

If you want to travel to Belgium under Working Holiday arrangements there are basic eligibility requirements. These include:

•     Hold an Australian passport
•     Meet health and character requirements
•     Be aged between 18 and 30 at the time of applying
•     Have no dependent children accompanying you
•     Have a return ticket, or sufficient funds for a return or onward fare
•     Have sufficient funds for the first part of the holiday (at least €2500).

Emergency

Emergency telephone numbers
Medical emergencies    100
Police                               101
Fire services                    100

Australian Embassy, Brussels
Level 7, Avenue des Arts 56
1000 Brussels,
Belgium
Telephone: (32) 2 286 0500
Fax:             (32) 2 231 0788
Website: www.belgium.embassy.gov.au

Embassies of Belgium in…

Argentina
Belgian Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Defensa 113-Piso 8°
C1065AA, Buenos Ares
Ph +54 11 4331 0066
F +54 11 4331 0067
Web: www.diplomatie.be/buenosaires

Australia
Belgian Embassy in Canberra, Australia
19 Arkana Stree
Yarralumba
ACT 2600
Ph +61 2 627 325 01
F +61 2 627 333 92
Web: www.diplomatie.be/canberra

Austria
Belgian Embassy in Vienna, Austria
Wohllebengasse, 6
1040 Wien
Ph +43 1 502 07-0
F +43 1 502 07 22
Web: www.diplomatie.be/vienna

Bangladesh
Belgian Consulate in Dhaka, Bangladesh
ACI Centre – 245 Tejgaon Industrial Area
Dhaka 1208
Ph +880 2 88 786 03 (Ext. 280)
F: N/A
Web: N/A

Belgium
N/A

Brazil
Belgian Embassy in Brasilia, Brazil
SES Av. Das Nacoes, Quadra 809 – Lote 32
70422-900 Brasillia DF
Ph +55 61 3443 1133
F +55 61 3443 1219
Web: www.diplomatie.be/brasillia

Canada
Belgian Embassy in Ottawa, Canada
360 Albert Street, 8th Floor, Suite 820
Ottawa
Ontario K1 R 7X7
Ph +1 613 236 7267
F +1 613 239 7882
Web: www.diplomatie.be/ottawa

Chile
Belgian Embassy in Santiago, Chile
Avenida Providencia, 2653, office 1103
Casilla 125, Correo 35
Santiago de Chile
Ph +56 2 2694 0400
F +56 2 2232 1073
Web: www.diplomatie.be/santiago

China
Belgian Embassy in Beijing, China
6, San Li Tun Lu
Beijing 100600
Ph +86 10 653 217 36
F: N/A
Web: www.diplomatie.be/beijing

Costa Rica
Belgian Consulate in San Jose, Costa Rica
Residencial La Suiza casa 10
Bello Horizonte de Escazu
1000 San José
Ph +506 22 89 50 58
F: N/A
Web: N/A

Cyprus, Republic of
Belgian Embassy in Nicosia, Cyprus
The Riverside Forum 2A
Chilonos Street, Office 102
1101 Nicosia
Ph +357 22 449 020
F +357 22 774 717
Web: www.diplomatie.belgium.be/cyprus

Czech Republic
Belgian Embassy in Prague, Czech Republic
Valdstejnska 6
Mala Strana
11801 Prague 1
Ph +420 257 533 524 / 5
F +420 257 533 750
Web: www.diplomatie.be/prague

Denmark
Belgian Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark
Øster Allé 7
2100 Copenhagen Ø
Ph +45 35 25 02 00
F +45 35 25 02 11
Web: www.diplomatie.be/copenhagen

Estonia
Belgian Embassy in Tallinn, Estonia
Rataskaevu 2
10123 Tallinn
Ph +372 627 4100
F +372 627 4101
Web: www.diplomatie.be/tallinn/

Finland
Belgian Embassy in Helsinki, Finland
Kalliolinnantie 5
00140 Helsinki
Ph + 358 9 17 04 12
F +358 9 62 88 42
Web: www.diplomatie.be/helsinki

France
Belgian Embassy in Paris, France
Rue de Tilsitt, 9
75840 Paris Cedex 17
Ph +33 1 440 939 39
F +33 1 475 407 64
Web: www.diplomatie.be/paris

Germany
Belgian Embassy in Berlin, Germany
Jägerstrasse 52-53
10117 Berlin
Ph +49 30 20 64 20
F +49 30 20 64 22 00
Web: www.diplomatie.be/berlin

Greece
Belgian Embassy in Athens, Greece
3, rue Sékéri
10671 Athens
Ph +30 210 361 78 86-7
F +30 210 360 42 89
Web: www.diplomatie.be/athens

India
Belgian Embassy in New Delhi, India
50 – N Shantipath
Chanakyapuri
New Delhi 110021
Ph +91 11 4242 8000
F +91 11 4242 8002
Web: www.diplomatie.be/newdelhi

Indonesia
Belgian Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia
Deutsche Bank Building (16th Floor)
Jalan Imam Bonjol 80
10310 Jakarta
Ph +62 21 316 20 30
F +62 21 316 20 35
Web: www.diplomatie.be/jakarta

Ireland
Belgian Embassy in Dublin, Ireland
Elgin Road, 1
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4
Ph +353 1 660 08 80
F +353 1 667 56 65
Web: www.diplomatie.belgium.be/ireland

Italy
Belgian Embassy in Rome, Italy
Via dei Monti Parioli, 49
00197 Roma
Ph +39 06 360 95 11
F +39 06 322 69 35
Web: www.diplomatie.be//italy/

Japan
Belgian Embassy in Tokyo, Japan
Nibancho 5-4
Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 102-0084
Ph +81 3 326 20 191
F +81 3 326 206 51
Web: www.diplomatie.be/japan

Latvia
Belgian Embassy in Riga, Lativa
Alberta iela 13
1010 Riga
Ph +371 671 148 52
F +371 671 148 55
Web: www.diplomatie.be/riga

Malaysia
Belgian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Menara Tan & Tan Suite 10.02, 10th Floor
207, Jalan Tun Razak
50400 Kuala Lumpur
Ph +60 3 2162 0025
F +60 3 2162 0023
Web: www.diplomatie.be/kualalumpur

Malta
Belgian Embassy in Valletta, Malta
Europa Office Block
8 and 9 John Lopez Street
Floriana FRN 140
Ph +356 21 228 214
F +356 21 243 246
Web: www.diplomatie.be/valletta

Mexico
Belgian Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico
Avenida Alfredo Musset, 41
Colonia Polanco
Del Miguel Hidalgo
11550 Mexico D. F.
Ph +52 55 528 007 58
F +52 55 528 002 08
Web: www.diplomatie.belgium.be/mexico

New Zealand
Belgian Consulate in Wellington, New Zealand
Level 6, Leaders Building
15 Brandon Street
Wellington 6011
Ph +64 4 499 91 70
F +64 4 499 92 83
Web: N/A

Norway
Belgian Embassy in Oslo, Norway
Drammensveien, 103D
0244 Oslo
Ph +47 23 13 32 20
F +47 23 13 32 32
Web: www.diplomatie.be/oslo/

Poland
Belgian Embassy in Warsaw, Poland
Ulica Senatorska, 34
00-095 Warsaw
Ph +48 22 551 28 00
F +48 22 551 28 88
Web: www.diplomatie.be/warsaw

Singapore
Belgian Embassy in Singapore, Singapore
8 Shenton Way
14-01 AXA Tower
Singapore 068811
Ph +65 6220 7677
F +65 6222 6976
Web: www.diplomatie.be/singapore

Slovakia
Belgian Embassy in Bratislava, Slovakia
Frana Krala 5
81105 Bratislava
Ph +421 2 571 012 11
F +421 2 526 211 11
Web: www.diplomatie.be/bratislava

Slovenia
Belgian Embassy in Ljubljana, Slovenia
Trg Republike 3/IX
1000 Ljubljana
Ph +386 1 200 60 10
F +386 1 426 63 95
Web: www.diplomatie.be/ljubljana

South Korea
Belgian Embassy in Seoul, Korea (Republic)
737-10 Hannam 2dong, Yongsan-gu
Seoul 140-893
Ph +82 2 749 0381 / 4
F +82 2 797 1688
Web: www.diplomatie.be/seoul

Spain
Belgian Embassy in Madrid, Spain
Paseo de la Castellana 18 6th Floor
28046 Madrid
Ph +34 91 557 63 00
F +34 91 431 81 66
Web: www.diplomatie.be/madrid

Sweden
Belgian Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden
Kungsbroplan 2, 2 Floor
101 38 Stockholm
Ph +46 8 534 802 00
F +46 8 534 802 07
Web: www.diplomatie.be/stockholm

Switzerland
Belgian Embassy in Bern, Switzerland
Jubiläumsstrasse, 41
Case postale 150
3000 Berne 6
Ph +41 31 350 01 50
F +41 31 350 01 65
Web: www.diplomatie.be/bern

Taiwan
N/A

Thailand
Belgian Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand
16/F Sathorn Square – 98 North Sathorn Road
Silom Sub District
Bangrak District
10500 Bangkok
Ph +66 2 108 18 01
F + 66 2 108 18 07
Web: www.diplomatie.be/bangkok

The Netherlands
Belgian Embassy in The Hague, the Netherlands
Johan Van Oldenbarneveltlaan 11
2598 NE ’S-Gravenhage
Ph +31 70 312 3456
F +31 70 364 5579
Web: www.diplomatie.be/thehague

Turkey
Belgian Embassy in Ankara, Turkey
Mahatma Gandi Caddesi, 55
06700 Ankara
Ph +90 312 405 6166
F +90 312 446 8251
Web: www.diplomatie.be/ankara

United Kingdom
Belgian Embassy in London, the United Kingdom
17 Grosvenor Crescent
London SW1X 7EE
Ph +44 20 7470 3700
F +44 20 7470 3705
Web: www.diplomatie.be/london/

United States
Belgian Embassy in Washington, the United States
3330 Garfield Street N.W.
Washington
D.C. 20008
Ph +1 202 333 6900
F +1 202 338 4960
Web: www.diplomatie.be/us

Uruguay
Belgian Consulate in Montevideo, Uruguay
Calle Rincon, 625, 5to piso – oficina 26
11000 Montivedeo
Ph +598 2 916 2719
F + 598 2 916 4638
Web: N/A

Tax system

Belgium is recognised as having some of the highest tax rates in the world, for locals and expats, with some individuals paying close to 60% of their earnings in tax (including social security).

Taxation in Belgium is dependent on whether you are a resident or non-resident, for tax purposes. With tax payable on income from domestic and international sources, individuals will pay on a sliding scale dependent on how much is earned.

In 2012, the basic tax exemption rate was €6570 regardless if you were single or married. Tax rates rise from this point until they reach a peak of 50% for incomes above €35,000. Belgium’s tax year is the same as the calendar year.

Bank Account

Opening a bank account as an expat in Belgium requires several pieces of documentation, including: passport, a completed bank account application form and proof of address in Belgium. Each bank account will usually include a debit card, overdraft facility, option to open a savings account and more. To save time, check online for banks that allow expats to open an account without even entering a branch.

The major banks in Belgium include: BNP Paribas Fortis, Dexia and ING. Many foreign banks can also be located in Belgium.

A possibly cheaper option is to open a bank account through the Belgian Post Office, which offers many of the same services as the country’s banks.

Working in Belgium

As Brussels is the home of the EU’s headquarters, the country is a haven for expats from throughout Europe and the world. Belgium has a wide range of industries that expats can explore for employment. However, be aware that the country’s economy, like much of Europe, has been hit hard in recent years and job openings have been low. Job hunters in Belgium would also be well served if they have language skills in French or Flemish.

Teaching English is an excellent option for expats in Belgium on a working holiday. According to TEFL (Teaching English as a foreign language), there is a high demand for English tuition in Belgium due to it being a base for the EU, and for business and tourism purposes.

For people looking for work in Belgium, the most typical places to find employment include in print media, through online job websites or through recruitment agencies.

Communication

Belgium is well serviced by telecommunications and has three licensed mobile network operators. The major telecommunications players in Belgium are:

•     Proximus
•     Mobistar
•     BASE

To sign-up for a phone contract in Belgium, applicants will need to provide forms of identification, such as a passport and proof of income.