Why You Should Move to Belgium

If the chocolate, waffles and beer aren’t enough to entice you to move to Belgium, perhaps the Expat Tax Regime, which offers an attractive tax discount for foreigners moving to the country for work, may change your mind.

This regime, recently updated in January 2022, aims to promote Belgium as a competitive, business-friendly place for international companies and their employees.

Those who are eligible can enjoy a 30% tax exemption off their salary, as well as reimbursements for costs incurred from moving to Belgium, furnishings and schooling.

This expat status is granted for 5 years and may be extended for 3 years under certain conditions.

Who is eligible for the tax regime?

Individuals who have been recruited from abroad to work in Belgium who earn a minimum gross salary of €75,000 a year are eligible. For researchers holding specific master’s degrees with 10 years’ experience, the salary minimum doesn’t apply.

Are there any restrictions?

Yes, individuals cannot have lived in Belgium (or 150 kilometers from the border) within the last 5 years.

A €90,000 cap applies to the tax exemption, so expats earning above €300,000 per annum will not benefit here.

Living in Belgium

The standard of living in Belgium remains high, and housing and public transportation costs are generally lower than in neighboring European cities. Brussels, for instance, is 21% cheaper than Paris and 42% cheaper than London. Other cities like Bruges and Antwerp are even less expensive, with an average cost of renting a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre of Antwerp being around €955 a month.

Interested in opportunities in Belgium? See our current live jobs below or contact [email protected] to be connected to one of our consultants.