What is Belgium like?

Sam Desimpel

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Princip.al, founder 9y

What is Belgium like?

Belgium is indeed a very liberal country, on par with the Netherlands, Scandinavia and some the coastal cities of the US and Canada. This can be seen it's attitude towards gender equality and minority and free speech protection. Some anecdotal evidence is that one of the recent prime ministers was both gay and from a working class Italian immigrant background without causing much controversy, if any. Which is not to say Belgium does not have it's share of bigots and/or xenophobes but they tend tWrite Answero go against mainstream opinion which you can summarize that if you don't cause trouble, you're most welcome.

Belgium as a country has in general always been quite relaxed about foreigners even though that attitude seems to have toughened up a bit in the last decade. Like neighbouring countries France and the Netherlands, Belgium struggles with the succesful integration of immigration wave from Maghreb, Turkish and Eastern-European countries.

But it's easy to say that if you've got technical skill sets or monetary assets, you'll be quite welcome. If you're a genuine political refugee, you'll be welcome (we've got a long tradition from Voltaire, Baudelair and Karl Marx all seeking refuge here). Belgium also harbours a significant amount of "fiscal refugees" from France and the Netherlands, who were attracted by a currently benign fiscal regime with no tax on capital gains or general wealth tax. Then again, also read Why is it so hard to make friends with Flemish speakers in Belgium?

Speaking of taxes, Belgium tends to have one of the highest taxation regimes in the world - which is the price to pay for top notch and still very affordable public services such as health and education. Belgium's tax system is notoriously prone to change however and it looks like the new government may implement some austerity measures. But it will probably be a compromise again.

One of the other peculiarities of Belgium also tends to be the lack of real decision making and the fondness for compromise, which gave the country a bewildering political and legal system which can be quite confusing for any foreigner. It does partly explain Belgium's fondness for absurd humor. It can also be frustrating for any visitor from countries where "Thinking Big " is the norm. Belgians prefer pragmatic small-step solutions in general.

One of the other things you might find bewildering, is the linguistic divide in Belgium. See also Why are Flemish and Walloons so cold (at least politically) to each other?

Then again, as a foreigner, you're considered neutral in this matter so it shouldn't concern you overly. It is however good to realise that if you want to land a well paying commercial client-facing or administrative job in Belgium, speaking at least French and Dutch is the norm, not the exception. Engineers and entrepreneurs tend to get away with this requirement.

The last thing is the weather. It's generally mild. But often wet. Which is great for agriculture. A bit less so in winter. Or certain summers. When the sun comes out though, the country is beautiful. Great countryside, beautiful ancient cities with great museums, theaters and vibrant music scene, a true appreciation of good food and drink (it's extremely hard to find a really bad restaurant in Belgium) in the middle of Europe, it's all there.