Recently moved to Brussels, Belgium

[subhuman]

Originally Posted by gerrit

It could be that having Belgian grandparents makes you eligible for citizenship straight away, I am not sure but it's worth checking that. It would save you the hassle of renewing working permits everytime you want to change employer, renewing residence permits etc. The bureaucracy can be a pain, but maybe you can avoid it because of your Belgian ancestry.


One thing though: you say you don't care about politics but want to know if Belgians are openminded towards foreigners moving to the country.

Unfortunately you cannot answer this question without looking at the political state the country is in. I would say, and I am quite ashamed for it, that Belgium is more racist and xenophobic (especially certain areas of Flanders) than other EU countries generally. Let's just say it like this: I lived in 4 other EU countries and while racism and far right ideologies exist and grow all over Europe, in Belgium the situation is quite worrying. So yes, some people have a negative attitude towards foreigners, although being non-Muslim will help a lot as people are generally more open towards other "westerners", having merely prejudices against immigrants from non-western countries. In big cities like Brussels or Ghent you are likely to experience little problems because they are cosmopolitan as it is. Rural areas and smaller towns can be suffocating however for anyone who doesn't walk the line.

If you want to know details about the worrying far right movement in Belgium, I can explain in detail if you'd be really interested in it. I think as a Canadian you'd be fine, especially when you already mastered French, it is merely expats from "non-western countries" who unfortunately became public scapegoats.

Is it more xenophobic then Italy?

[subhuman]

is there a forum just for belgium and holland, i cant find it here

[gerrit]

There isn't, which is a shame because hosting the European capital and a lot of NATO institutions, Brussels is crowded with expats.

And more xenophobic than Italy?? I fear the whole western Europe is shifting towards the far right, Belgium not being an exception. Not that I'm proud of it, on the contrary...

[subhuman]

Hi, im new expat getting ready for Brussels this September so I'd like to hear more...

does anyone have
Any info, how difficult is to find a part time student work in Brussels , without knowledge of french and dutch? What language is better for Brussels?

I've started learning dutch but it's still not enough to communicate in it.
Can anyone tell me more about being a student in Belgium / (maybe some born Belgian ?), I have no clue, how difficult Belgian Universities are, and whats the study load there. advices are welcome!

How possible is to work part time and study at the same time?
I mean, will I have the time to do both?

thanks

[subhuman]

Gerrit as you were writing about xenophobia in Belgium, how is it with that?

I've been to Brussel this winter , i heard not very nice stories from black people, telling me its difficult to get a work and be accepted as a foreigner, as there's lots of racism and discrimination.
Is holland better regarding that stuff?

[MalloryAnne]

Hi Everyone,

I know this an old thread, but I'm hoping someone will still see my post and perhaps be able to help me. I've been floating around Europe for a while, hanging out, then studying, then hanging out again. Anyway, I've been offered a job in Brussels and am in the process of getting the work permit and visa application started. My employer needs proof of insurance for the work permit application, I'm just wondering if anyone has moved from the US to Belgium and found relatively inexpensive coverage? I'm young and healthy, but would certainly need coverage for routine care and well, in case I get hit by a bus or something! I'd also need some dental coverage, come on, we all know how Americans feel about our dental care.

I'm also going to be PACS'd with my boyfriend in France, I'm wondering if I'd need a CDS or a long stay visa for France in order to be covered by his mutuelle, just a thought for any big things maybe I could hop on the train to Lille?

I'm looking forward to the move and I absolutely love Brussels. I'd love to meet anyone else who is around.

Mallory