It’s okay to acknowledge that you don’t know much about Belgium outside what you’ve heard about the beer and the chocolate, like many expats moving there.
Belgian complexity is beyond your wildest dreams. Therefore, spend a little time reading through some of The Bulletin’s vital content before coming. It is a truly unique nation, for better or worse.
Geography: Where is Belgium exactly
Belgium is a small country with a total area of 30,528 square kilometers; in fact, it is the fifth smallest in the EU (ahead of Malta, Luxembourg, Cyprus, and Slovenia). This may explain why some people in other countries think Belgium is a French city, yet if you say the same here, you’ll receive a cornet of pommes frites in the face.
Belgium, which is very much a country, is sandwiched between France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg and has a shoreline along the North Sea. While not the most advantageous location during the war, Belgium’s current location puts you close to numerous significant European cities, including London (320 km), Paris (265 km), and Amsterdam (173km). This implies that you have a wide range of weekend city travel possibilities.
Language: Do you speak…Belgian
Belgium’s three official languages—French, Dutch, and German—are better than one nonexistent language. Brussels’ most common language is Dutch, which you may not know if you live there.
Dutch? I thought that was Dutch.
Flanders, Belgium’s northern region, also speaks it. Some people, including some locals, call these people “Flemish,” but they speak a type of Dutch with its phrases and pronunciations. This is Belgian Dutch (think of the differences between British and American English).
“Flemish” is an adjective that means “from Flanders,” not a language.
Wallonian Walloons speak French. 57% of Belgium’s 11.3 million population live in Flanders, with some Dutch and French speakers in Wallonia. This makes Dutch the majority language.
Except for a small handful of German speakers in the East Cantons, the rest of the population speaks French.
Politics: It’s complicated
Along its linguistic borders, Belgium is split both geographically and politically. The two regions of Flanders and Wallonia exist in distinct, if parallel, realities. The army, court system, royal family, and national football team are all shared federal institutions. However, neither one is served by any political party, TV network, or academic institution.
Due to Brussels’ inclusion as a region, there is a federal government, three regional governments, and three “community” governments, one for each language group (French, Dutch, and German).
The Flemish regional government and the Dutch-speaking community government united and became one entity a couple of years ago. The fortunate Belgians, then, are governed now by just six, as opposed to seven, governments. for 11.3 million individuals.
Taxes: Take a deep breath
All those governments have a financial burden, right? With a marginal tax rate that can reach 54 percent, Belgium leads the OECD in terms of the highest tax rates. It levies capital gains tax of up to 33 percent, municipal taxes of up to 11 percent, and social security rates of 13 percent for employees and 35 percent for employers.
The tax and social security burden in the nation is the greatest in the world; single taxpayers receive less than 45% of their actual income, while those in higher income levels receive less than 40%.
However, there is a positive aspect to Belgium’s tax structure: According to the OECD’s Better Life Index, the nation has one of the best social security systems in the world, which contributes to its high ranking in terms of wellbeing indicators.
Weather: Not too hot, not too cold
The only place in the nation where snow is always present, sometimes as early as November and as late as March, is the Ardennes in the south. However, no matter the season, you will see a lot of rain.
The saying “It’s always rainy in Belgium” appears on numerous Belgian trinkets, however, “Belgium has four seasons in one day” would be a better slogan. Warm bright mornings, showers in the afternoon, and a crisp, foggy evening are all possible.
The Meteorological Institute of Belgium tends to use broad generalizations because of this. Although it won’t rain in the morning, it will afterward. Nobody knows how much later it will be.
