CONSIDERATIONS FOR EXPATS MOVING TO BELGIUM FROM THE UK

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CONSIDERATIONS FOR EXPATS MOVING TO BELGIUM FROM
THE UK
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Introduction
Belgium is an attractive destination for
expatriates looking to relocate within the
European Union, not least due to its position as
the de facto capital of the EU and home to many
European institutions. Lets look at the
practicalities of moving to Belgium, from
selecting the most relevant visa category and
structuring your finances to finding a home to
settle into your new life overseas.
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VISA ROUTES FOR BRITISH CITIZENS MOVING TO BELGIUM
Belgium offers several potential visa categories
depending on the purpose of your move, whether
you intend to work or launch a business, and
where you are relocating from. The D Visa is the
most relevant visa for those outside the EU
looking to live long-term in Belgium.
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FINDING ACCOMMODATION IN BELGIUM
You may choose to rent a property when first
arriving in Belgium to have the opportunity to
decide on the right location to purchase a home
or may need to live in a specific area within a
reasonable commute of a workplace. Property
prices naturally vary depending on whether you
are buying a modern, spacious townhouse or
apartment in the heart of the Brussels region or
wish to purchase a traditional terraced house in
the suburbs.
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FINDING ACCOMMODATION IN BELGIUM CONT
As an indication, comparable costs are as follows
UK Average Belgian Average
Price Per Square Metre to Purchase a City Centre Property 5,234 3,537 (3,051)
Price Per Square Metre to Purchase a Property Further Out 3,933 2,869 (2,475)
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SCHOOL PLACEMENTS FOR EXPATS
Like most other countries, foreign nationals
moving to Belgium can enroll in local educational
institutions once they have secured a long-stay
visa or permanent residency. Many expats tend to
opt for an English-speaking school initially
unless their children are already
bilingual. Annual fees for an international
primary school placement are an average of
16,730 (14,433), and a preschool place costs
roughly 541 (467) per child per month.
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JOBS IN BELGIUM
If you wish to move to Belgium for employment
reasons, you need an appropriate work permit.
Should you intend to run or launch your own
business, you must present your plans to the
Belgian immigration authorities before
relocating. You will normally require either a
self-employed or business visa. Belgium offers
myriad job opportunities with many global
companies, an unemployment rate well below the
average across the EU member states, and buoyant
manufacturing, tourism, legal, financial and
service sectors.
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BELGIAN WORK PERMIT CATEGORIES

• There are several types of work permits you may
  need to apply for
• A-category work permit applies to any paid
  occupation and is valid indefinitely.
• B-category work permits are issued to expats
  working for and sponsored by a named employer.
• C-category work permits are offered to foreign
  national expats moving to Belgium temporarily.
• Note It is important to apply for the right work
  permit category if you intend to work since this
  may influence the duration of your stay and the
  type of Belgian visa you qualify for.

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ORGANISING FINANCES, TAXATION AND INCOME STREAMS
Moving to any EU country requires careful
planning, ensuring you know how your finances,
income and tax obligations will change. Belgian
taxes are amongst the highest in the European
Economic Area (EEA), making tax planning even
more crucial. Most residents are subject to
Belgian taxation against their worldwide income,
irrespective of their home country or
nationality. However, if you live in Belgium as
a non-resident, you only pay local taxes on your
earnings from within the country.
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EXPERT FINANCIAL GUIDANCE FOR EXPATS MOVING TO
BELGIUM
For any further information about planning your
move to Belgium from the UK, the costs of your
relocation and how best to manage your ongoing
finances, please get in touch with the Chase
Buchanan Wealth Management Belgium office at your
convenience.
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Information Source
https//chasebuchanan.com/expats-moving-to-belgium
-from-the-uk/
Thank you!