Financial matters and insurance

Income tax

In Belgium the national registration number (Rijksregisternummer/NN) that is assigned to you when you register at the town hall is also your tax number. You do not need to request a tax number separately.

If you are working and living in Belgium the rule is that you have to pay income taxes here, depending on the length of your stay. Your gross salary will be taxed. Sums will be deducted from the gross amount. Apart from income tax you will also need to pay regional tax (by province) per household (in East Flanders this amounts to about 32 euros per year). You will receive a separate bill for this.

Note that officials working for the European Union are not subject to Belgian taxation, and expats working for foreign companies established in Belgium are entitled to a favourable taxation scheme.

More info on taxes:

• Website Belgium.be
• Website Europe
• Contactdetails of local tax offices in Ghent (in Dutch)

Social Security

Belgium has a well-developed social security system. Social security agreements exist between Belgium and many other nations, including all EU countries and the USA, whereby expatriates may remain under their home country’s social security scheme for a specific period. Everyone living in Flanders also needs to pay an annual contribution to the Health Care Fund (“Zorgkas”). Your yearly contribution is 50 euros (or 25 euros with a reduction).

More info on social security:

• Website Belgium.be
• Brochure Belgium.be
• Website Flanders
• Website Europe

Banking

There are numerous branches. Most banks are open from 9 am until 4 or 4.30 pm on Mondays to Fridays. Some are open on certain evenings or Saturdays. Smaller branches close at lunchtime. The larger banks in Belgium also offer special services towars expats. Please be aware that in Belgium not all companies or shops accept credit card payments. This can be the case in (small) restaurants and pubs etc.

Insurance

Unfortunately, accidents can happen. Despite not taking away the distress brought about by unexpected accidents, having adequate insurance cover does at least mean that you won’t be financially overburdened. Most larger banks offer insurance services, but there are also a lot of private insurance companies. Insurance for driving motor vehicles in the public space is compulsory. Other insurance, e.g. for “fire”, “life” and “accident” are strongly advised.