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| CURRENT SECTION :: Overseas Guides | UK's most visited IT Contractor Site - 250k unique visitors March 2008 |
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Article written by Julia Lovett, ITECS. (2006) Introduction Leaving the UK to live and work abroad can be a daunting prospect at the best of times. Aside from the practical complications of relocating to another country, the contractor must also be prepared to come face-to-face with the local language, customs and norms that are inevitably different from those in the UK. Despite these obstacles, living and working abroad can be an enriching and highly enjoyable experience, and for those contractors wishing to opt for an assignment closer to home, Belgium is the ideal location. Country Information Belgium is located within Western Europe, and shares borders with The Netherlands, Germany, France and Luxembourg. The capital city is Brussels and other major cities include Antwerp, Ghent, Liege and Leuven. Belgium has an extremely diverse population, with three official languages in operation throughout the country. Foreign nationals comprise around 30% of the population in Brussels, and thriving expatriate communities are abundant throughout Belgium. As a result, English is widely understood but the ability to speak some French or Dutch (or at least be willing to try) would certainly prove to be an advantage. Working in Belgium Many International companies, especially in Brussels, adopt English as their primary working language. The standard working day averages at 40 hours a week, 8 hours a day, usually from 9am 5pm. Accommodation A wide range of good quality housing is available for rent in Brussels. All types of accommodation from studio apartments and flat shares to large detached houses can be rented. Unlike many other European cities, there is no shortage of rented accommodation and rents are usually reasonable. In Brussels, expect to pay from 300 to 400 for a studio apartment or flat share, rising to 500 to 850 per month (excluding service charges) for a one bedroom flat. If your family will be accompanying you, you should be able to find a three bedroom flat or house for around 1,000 to 1,500 per month. Luxury and furnished accommodation is generally more expensive. Temporary accommodation is also widely available for the first few days or weeks of a contract in Belgium. Two organizations offering nationwide hotel reservation services are Belgium Tourist Reservations (Tel: 00 32 2 513 7484) and Belgian Travel House (Tel: 00 32 2 648 6024). The Tourist Information office in the town where you are contracting will also be able to book a hotel room on your behalf. Travel Possibilities: UK Travelling home to the UK is remarkably easy when working in Belgium, as you can fly to London in less than an hour and the train takes just two and a half hours. Airlines operating between Belgium and the UK include: The range of ferry services currently available, along with the EuroTunnel, provide easy access to the UK by car. Valid British driving licences are accepted in Belgium, and you will not need to exchange it for a Belgian licence. Travel Possibilities: Elsewhere Belgium is a highly desirable location for the weekend-traveller. The TGV is a high-speed train providing direct links to Paris (1.5hrs) and Amsterdam (2.5hrs), and Germany, Luxembourg, France and The Netherlands are just a few hours drive away. Expat Services in Belgium There are a number of expat communities scattered throughout Belgium where a newly relocated expat can feel at home. As a result, there are numerous facilities that an English expat can make use of including International English-speaking schools, English newspapers, English bookshops, English-speaking clubs and language classes for English-speakers. There is even a dedicated telephone number (1405) for national and international directory enquiries in English. The television channels BBC1 and BBC2 are almost always available as part of the standard television packages on offer throughout Belgium. For useful expat news and information, see www.xpats.com, where you can also subscribe to the popular Bulletin magazine. Expatica is also a useful source of information for the expat in Belgium. ITECSis a payroll management company assisting expatriates with their contracts abroad. To receive a personalised breakdown on how ITECS can help you, call +31 10 205 1660 (The Netherlands) +32 3 400 6363 (Belgium) or +44 208 863 2589 (UK). Previous Page
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