Belgium
Immigration
What is an apostille?
It is a standard certification verifying the authenticity of a document for official use across countries that have signed the Convention of the Hague.
When do I need a work permit for the employee?
A work permit is needed for all non-EU nationals (except for Romanians and Bulgarians) who come to work in Belgium. For several categories of assignees there are possible exemptions from the work permit.
When do you have to start registration?
The exact timing depends on your nationality and the purpose of your stay. It should be started within 90 days of arrival in Belgium. If you are arriving with a D-visa, the registration should be started 8 days after arrival in the Schengen zone.
Can I re-enter the Schengen zone if I have stayed for more than 90 days in the Schengen zone?
For all nationalities, once you have obtained a Belgian residence card you can re-enter the Schengen zone without problems. Nationals who are required to get a visa to travel to the Schengen zone must first complete the registration procedure in Belgium before they leave the country. If they leave the country before obtaining the Belgian residence card they either need a visa that is still valid or a re-entry visa. Some temporary cards also require a re-entry visa.
What are the Schengen countries?
Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia , Czech Republic, Cyprus, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
How long does it take to obtain a work permit in Belgium?
In general, it takes 2 to 3 weeks from when the application is submitted.
Do I need to register at the city hall when I arrive in Belgium?
On arrival in Belgium, EU and EEA nationals must register in person at their local city hall (maison communale/gemeentehuis) within 8 working days. A temporary receipt is issued and upon confirmation of the information that you have submitted, you will be notified that you can pick up your residence card at the city hall. This entire process could take several days/weeks.
As with all other foreigners, non-EU family members intending to stay in Belgium for more than 90 days must also register with municipal authorities within 8 days of arrival in Belgium.
Housing
How far in advance should we plan visits of properties?
Our standard advice is to start the home search 6 to 8 weeks before the planned move-in date. The final stage of research will only start 3 to 4 days prior to the visits. This to be sure the properties to be visited will still be on the market.
What is the normal length of the lease contract?
It depends on the type of contract. A standard lease contract, which is a long-term contract for 9 years (or “3,6,9” as some people still call it) can be cancelled at any time, taking into account the breaking clause which stipulates that a 3-month notice needs to be given in any case of breaking the lease.
On top of this notice some penalties are exacted:
* 3 months of rent (excluding charges) when the notice is given during the 1st year,
* 2 months of rent during the 2nd year, and
* 1 month of rent during the 3rd year.
A short-term lease contract, which is mainly used for furnished accommodation, is signed for a maximum of 3 years and is a fixed contract, meaning you cannot break it, unless stipulated differently in the lease contract.
What do we need to do prior to getting the keys to the property?
·The 1st month of rent will need to be paid to the owner.
· The deposit will need to be set up (see next question).
· A survey of the property will need to take place. This can be done by an independent surveyor (cost will be shared between tenant and owner) or by both parties together.
· A “tenant’s liability insurance” will need to be set up. This is the only mandatory insurance needed in Belgium for a rental property, but we strongly advise you to take up some additional insurances such as “theft” and “3rd party liability”, among others.
NOVA Relocation can assist you with these obligations.
How do I pay the deposit?
There are different ways to pay a deposit. The two most frequently used methods are:
1. The blocked account:
You open a savings account in your name and transfer 2 months of rent to the account. All parties (tenant, owner and the bank) will sign the documents. The account is blocked until all parties countersign.
2. The Bank guarantee:
In this case you take up a loan at the bank for the amount of 3 months of rent. You will only pay the interest and a yearly administration fee.
For this kind of deposit, you must request it from the bank, and they take the final decision on whether to allow it.
How do I terminate my lease?
A notice letter will need to be sent to the owner at the address listed on the lease contract, or in case of change of address, to the last address the owner informed you of. This letter needs to be sent by registered mail.
The 3-month notice period will always start on the 1st of the month following the month in which the letter was sent, even if you started the lease on a day other than
the 1st day of the month. Penalties will be calculated based on the length of your stay in the property.
How does the exit survey take place?
The property needs to be in the same condition as when you moved in, taking into account “normal wear and tear”, except in the city of Brussels where “normal wear and tear” is payable by the tenant.
The property needs to be clean, and you will be asked to show proof of maintenance of the heating system, alarm, etc., if applicable.
Other
What are the different school systems in Belgium?
Newcomers to Belgium essentially have two options when it comes to education. They can either enrol their children in a school operating within the Belgian system, or they can send their children to one of the many international schools in the country. A third and seldom-used option is to educate the children at home (homeschooling), but as this is now closely monitored by the Belgian authorities, parents choosing this route must be confident of their own abilities.
Can I drive with my driving licence in Belgium?
· An EU/EEA driving licence is recognised in Belgium. Although you do not need to exchange it for a Belgian one, we do advise you to get your licence registered. In case you lose it you will be issued a Belgian EU driving licence.
· If you have a non-EU/EEA driving licence and there is an agreement of reciprocity between the country that issued your driving licence and the Belgian authorities, you will need to exchange the licence for a Belgian EU licence.
A person with a foreign driving licence that is not recognised will need to take the full theory and practical driving examinations in Belgium.