Do not let the fact that Belgium is a relatively tiny country influence your decision to relocate there. The nation has a population of roughly 11.5 million people, including an estimated 220,000 people living abroad, so you will have enough of people to socialize with. It is commonly known as the "heart of Europe."

Belgium is a federal state that is divided into three regions: Walloon, which is located in the south, Flanders, which is located in the north (in the south). There are three languages that are recognized as official in this country. Dutch is spoken in the Flemish community as well as in the capital city of Brussels. On the other hand, French is the predominant language spoken in the Walloon area. Only a minority of the population is able to communicate in German. Even if English is widely understood, you should still make an effort to learn the language spoken in the community in which you live in order to be successful there.

You should know that Belgium is not just famous for its beer, chocolate, and waffles; it is also a cultural hotspot that attracts people from all over the world. It is known for its sumptuous gastronomy, vibrant arts scene, and tranquil countryside in addition to its historically significant cities and stunning architecture.

Jobs in Belgium

Language abilities are in particularly high demand in Belgium due to the country's competitive labor environment. Workers from other countries who are able to communicate in at least one of the nation's official languages or who are multilingual have a better chance of finding work in that country.

The Flanders area in the northern part of the country is generally home to high-tech and service-oriented businesses, whereas the manufacture of coal and steel is concentrated in the southern part of the country.

The majority of Belgians find employment in the service industry, specifically in the fields of banking, law, the media, retail, tourism, and transportation. There are only a certain amount of positions accessible in the industry.

POPULAR GRADUATE JOBS

Engineering \sPharmaceuticals
foods and drinks that have been processed.
Equipment related to transportation and assembly of motor vehicles
Textiles
There is a sizable expat community in Belgium, and people from the European Union (EU) are engaged in a wide range of occupations. Both the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which are both significant employers of people from other countries, have their headquarters in Brussels.

Additional significant employers in Belgium include:

Ageas (insurance) (insurance)
Anheuser-Busch InBev (brewing) (brewing)
Bekaert (steel wires) (steel wires)
Banque Nationale de Belgique (banking)
Colruyt Group, Inc. (food retail)
D'Ieteren (car distribution) (vehicle distribution)
Elia (energy) (energy)
KBC Bank (banking)
Proximus (telecommunications) (telecommunications)
Solvay (which deals in chemicals), UCB (which deals in biopharmaceuticals), and Umicore (materials technology).
You may look for work in Belgium through the following websites:

BrusselsJobs \sEURES \sEuroBrussels
Eurograduate Jobat Jobs in Brussels
Additionally, employment advertisements may be seen in the local newspapers of all three areas (Flemish, French and German).

Skills shortages

Although the majority of available jobs in Belgium are for highly skilled workers in the service sector, many workers from other countries have taken advantage of the country's labor shortages to find employment there. Belgium is in need of:

architects, electricians, plumbers, joiners, and plasterers engineers, technicians, and mechanics Accountants and administrative staff Architects Electricians, plumbers, joiners, and plasterers
personnel in information technology nurses and midwives project managers instructors technical and commercial sales representatives IT staff members also include.

How to acquire a job in Belgium

Similar to the United Kingdom, the application procedure in Belgium consists of a form, a two-page CV, a cover letter (in the appropriate language), and references. Following this is an interview.

It is imperative that you submit your application in the correct language, whether it be Dutch, French, or German, depending on where you choose to live and work. Some organizations may accept English-written applications, but verify with them first.

It is best to apply for employment in your own country, particularly if you are not an EU citizen. However, if you presently reside in Belgium, you may join up with recruiting agencies like Adecco, Randstad, and Michael Page; there are also sector-specific agencies, a list of which can be found in the Golden Pages Belgium.

Each of the four regions of Belgium has its own employment office. At Actiris (Brussels), VDAB (Flanders), Le Forem (Wallonia), and ADG you may obtain expert career advice and look for employment and training courses (German community).

Numerous multinational organizations operate in Belgium, thus another option is to work for one of these organizations in your home country before relocating to their offices in Belgium.

Summer jobs

Belgium is a major tourist destination, particularly the towns of Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp, Ghent, and Ypres. As a result, there are several summer and part-time employment available in the tourist and hospitality industries, including positions in hotels, bars, and restaurants.

Volunteering in Belgium is a wonderful choice if you want to enhance your resume, develop your language abilities, and exhibit your capacity to operate in a bilingual atmosphere.

Teaching careers

Belgium is a popular location for certified English as a foreign language instructors.

Jobs are available in private language schools, foreign schools, and corporations; however, a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate and, in certain cases, a bachelor's degree are necessary for employment. The majority of job openings are posted between September and January, with contracts expiring in June or July. Look for positions as a teacher in Belgium at:

ESL Base Educator
TEFL.com
You can also apply to teach English in Belgium as a language assistant with the British Council, either in schools or further education institutions. You must have completed the majority of your secondary school in the United Kingdom and be a native English speaker. Additionally, you must have completed at least two years of university and have a B1 level of French.

Internships

Internships are abundant, and like summer jobs and volunteer work, they are an excellent addition to your resume.

In Belgium, companies like Deloitte and PwC also provide internships. Deloitte provides possibilities to persons with Bachelor's or Master's degrees in economics, commercial or civil engineering, accounting, tax, law, IT, or office management, or who are pursuing such degrees. Interns might work in areas such as Zaventem, Bruges, Ghent, or Antwerp. PwC also offers a range of internships for high school grads and college graduates.

IAESTE UK provides summer course-related placements for scientific, engineering, and applied arts students.

Students can also get internships and summer job placements through organizations such as Europlacement.

During the academic year 2021/22, the government has launched a new Turing Scheme for students seeking abroad work experience. Verify that your institution participates in the program and offers the Turing Scheme.

Belgian visas

Citizens of non-EU nations, including the United Kingdom, are required to have a visa and/or work permit.

Short-term visas are issued to individuals staying less than 90 days, whilst long-term visas are issued to those staying more than 90 days. The latter involves a work visa, which your potential employer must typically file for on your behalf, frequently a year in advance.

EU citizens are entitled to:

Work in another EU nation without a work permit by relocating.
Enjoy equal access to employment, working conditions, and all other social and tax advantages as nationals. Remain in the country when employment has ended.
EU citizens who intend to remain in Belgium for less than three months are required to register with the local government upon arrival. If you want to remain longer than three months, you must apply for a certificate of registration with your local authorities.

EU individuals may also transfer their health and social security coverage to their host country and may seek for permanent residency in Belgium after three years of residence.

Contact your Belgian embassy for additional information about visas, and visit Belgium.be to learn more about work permits.

Language requirements

Belgium recognizes three official languages: Dutch (Flemish), French, and German.

Dutch is spoken by the Flemish Community in the northern Flanders region.
The majority of Walloons speak French as their first language. Wallonia encompasses the bulk of southern Belgium south of Brussels. The French-speaking population is referred to as the French Community.
In Belgium's southeast, where the German-speaking community dwells, German is spoken.
Although English is spoken in the country and many Belgians are bilingual or multilingual, it is recommended that you have a basic grasp of either Dutch or French before you arrive to assist you adjust. After arriving in Belgium, you'll be able to enroll in language classes.

How to describe your credentials to prospective employers

The Bologna Process ensures that your British credentials will be acknowledged by companies. Those from outside the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) should contact NARIC (Flemish Community) or the Ministere de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles (French Community) in order to have their credentials recognized.

Before beginning employment in certain fields, you may need to get your credentials legally recognized. Visit Europa or Enic-Naric to determine whether your professional credentials will be recognized in Belgium.

What it's like to work in Belgium

The typical workweek consists of 38 hours, or around eight hours each day.

In Belgium, there are eleven holidays, including:

January 1 Easter Monday
Thanksgiving Day Ascension Day
Easter Monday
Christmas Day, Belgium Day, All Saints Day, and Armistice Day.
Annual leave is calculated based on the number of days worked over the preceding year.

Despite this, living expenses are rather expensive, although lower than in the United Kingdom, and the country has one of the highest income tax rates on the continent.

Traditionally, management culture resembles the French top-down model, but many organizations are adopting a Dutch-style open workplace with increasing delegating and enhanced democratic decision-making. Belgians value human interaction, logic and reasoning, and arguments supported by data and statistics.

Discover more

Learn what it's like to attend school in Belgium.