Whether they are digital nomads Or that they found a fixed position in a company abroad, the Belgians are more and more numerous to expatriate to work. For those who plan to do the same, certain precautions are essential.
The prospect of a career abroad is growing more and more workers to leave Belgium. In 2024, they were 532,421 Belgians to expatriateaccording to foreign affairs, most of them for professional reasons. Seven years earlier, there were around 453,000. France is by far the country most chosen by Belgianswith 117,130 expatriates counted by Eurostat in 2023. In Spain, they are 40,929, while the Netherlands, which close the podium, welcome 39,023 Belgians.
Whether it is the fulfillment of a dream or an unexpected professional opportunity, leaving Belgium to live and work abroad cannot be improvised. We do not go to work in Spain, France, or Portugal as we go on vacation. “Depending on the duration of your stay abroad, You may need to register and register with the municipality, with proof of employment and sufficient livelihoods“Warnings Valérie Térstevens, Teamleader Consulting at SD World.
Work abroad: salary, conditions, taxes …
Whatever the country of destination, it is essential to learn about minimum wage regulations or working conditions, which can be completely different from those in force in Belgium. For example, with regard to holidays. In Belgium, the days available for a year determine the number of days off from which the worker will benefit the following year. This is not necessarily the case abroad. Back home, the Belgian expatriate can temporarily find himself without paid leave. If this is the case, he can nevertheless ask for a European vacation, which allow you to obtain an advance on his vacation nest egg of the following year.
The expatriate worker, even if he is on site for a fixed and short period, must pay taxes and social security contributions where he works. In the same way, he must ensure in the host country. The organization of this affiliation is an administrative process that can often take a long time. If necessary, the Belgian health insurance fund can help the worker in his efforts.
Le Pvt
The young age under the age of 30 who would like to go to the other side of the world to explore a country outside the European Union, while funding their journey, can do so Thanks to a temporary visa called a working holiday program (PVT). Each country can impose its own conditions. Thus, Canada only issues a limited number of PVT per year, and requests can only be submitted to a specific time of the year.
About sixty countries participate in this program. In other countries, a work permit is generally required. This is often granted if and only if the expatriate worker has found A local employer ready to sponsor it. An alternative is the title of visa digital nomadwhich allows you to work remotely for a Belgian employer.
In these three cases, it is important to note that Belgian health insurance does not generally cover stays outside Europe. Additional insurance is therefore often necessary.
Self -employed workers too
Independent workers with a business number in Belgium can also work in another European country, provided you complete an A1 form with the National Institute of Social Insurance for self -employed workers (Inasti).
For the Belgian workers who would opt for a life of “digital nomad», «the domicile address and the establishment address are required by law“Insists Stéphanie Gowenko, Wallonia manager at Xerius. She advises the self -employed Transfer their home and office in advance At an address in Belgium, for example with their parents, or by scripting the two: at relatives for the home address, and in a coworking space for the office.
