Just got this email, anyone has any insights on what happened and when it may reopen? 😭😭

Hey all! If I take my Friday off, legally speaking, am I considered to take 8 hours of 6 hours off (38 hours week)? I.e. could I do my "short Friday" on Thursday?

hi! so im a uni student and would like to get a part time job in summer just for some work experience. i speak fluent french and english, no dutch unfortunately. i would love to work with animals part time, but can only find animal shelters in need of volunteers, although that’s not bad at all, i would love to actually have a job since ive never had one before. any places or recommendations?

Any place in Brussels where you can find organic chicken at the lowest price?

Hi all,

I moved into my current apartment in May 2022. On January 2023, my rent increased because of indexation. Same happened January 2024. Today I got an email from my landlord (it's actually a company that leases flats), that from May (so actually 2 years that I live here), they are indexing the rent again. There were no works whatsoever in the building, but the street I live in has been entirely renovated (not sure if this is related). In the end it's about 2% from the beginning of this year, but my question is: can they do it to times in a year? Seems a bit unfair. Thanks!

Hello everyone !
When i just came to Brussels it took a longtime to obtain my ID card and open a bank account so my university gave me a prepaid card that contains my scholarship as a temporary solution until i am able to open my own bank account.

The prepaid card is under the university name, i am currently using it as a contactless card only.
I want to consult the remaining balance in it, is there a way to do that by myself? Also, can i make transfers from it somehow? without having to ask my own university ?

Thanks in advance !

Today around lunchtime there was a girl playing cards with few friends on the grass in Parc Royale. She was topless.

Did you also see her? I guess it was some sort of "dare" challenge among students. Or it was strip poker, lol

So recently my car got towed away by the police. I of course had checked for any signs around my car and didn't see any. When I cam back to the car it was gone and new signs appeared exactly where my car got towed. I already got it back from the police. However, seeing that they had the liberty to move the signs again would it be worth it to challenge the signs? Are the police so dirty to do these kind of things ? I didn't take any pictures the night before because i had assumed it's okay seeing no signs anywhere. If anyone could help it would be great. (The towing of the car cost me 298 and the incoming fine will be in the 50 to 60)

I'm not a picky guy. But even in much poorer countries there are cleaner and newer subway trains by now. It's just amazing that these silver-orange old trains still run most of the time on metro line 2 and 6.

Does anyone know if there are plans to buy new ones?

Is there a financial barrier to do so?

Thank you in advance!

We arrived in Brussels earlier today and our checked bag ended up coming off the luggage belt with a broken wheel.

We need to replace our suitcase tomorrow. Was wondering where we can find some decent quality luggage around the brussels central / grand place area?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

We live in a small flat and my partner has the tendency of hoarding things such pots and vases and other things to the point that the whole balcony is cluttered. I am trying to get things cleared but where can those things be disposed? I know that I could call Bruxelles propreté but that works for a big collection while I need to do get rid of small amounts of stuff. In the past there were collection points around the city but I haven’t seen this happening any longer.

Genuinely curious

Where is this? I swear I recognize the building reflected in the window but I can't put my finger on it and now I'm breaking my head over it...

Hey everyone,

I'm reaching out for some advice and support during a tough time. A few months ago, I made the difficult decision to relocate to Belgium to reunite with my wife. Leaving behind my job, connections, and starting anew, I embarked on this journey to build a life with her. Unfortunately, things have taken an unexpected turn as she's now asking for a divorce.

I hold a family grouping visa (F card), which legally allowed me to work here. Thankfully, I managed to secure a well-paying job a few months back. However, with the prospect of divorce looming, I'm worried about what this means for my residency status, my job, and ultimately, my future in Belgium.

Starting from scratch in a new country was challenging. I invested time and effort into adapting, integrating, and even learning one of the national languages. The thought of potentially having to leave everything behind and return empty-handed to where I came from is incredibly disheartening.

I understand that there are two sides to every story, and I don't want to delve into details. I'm simply seeking some clarity on what the outcome might be if she proceeds with the divorce. Will I lose my residency? Will I be able to keep my job? Or will I have to start from square one once again?

This situation is driving me crazy, especially considering that she's aware of the sacrifices and efforts I've made. If anyone has been through a similar experience or has knowledge of Belgian immigration laws, any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for taking the time to read and respond.

Hello guys,I just wanted to enlighten the people who are new in Belgium or if you have been here for a few years. I know some find it difficult to make friends in a short time and it takes longer,you fail to communicate with others because of the language barrier if you don't know French or Dutch and keep getting negative responses from the jobs you applied because you don't know the local languages. So my message is it is very important to maybe try and start evening language courses if you can manage or start following some lessons on languages sites or apps that are suitable for you and there are some people who have been here for like almost 5 years and still don't know the local languages since they work in international companies or private companies where you can speak English but let's say if you want to apply for citizenship here in Belgium,you find it difficult to continue the process since knowing the local language is an essential to help you earn the citizenship, So that's my message. Some can add any advice because I am not a not it all and I just wanted to share my opinion 😉

Hello everyone, I will be moving to Brussels with wife and 2 kids (5 y.o and 6 Months old). We will be in Brussels for at least 3 years. We have a rent budget of up to 3K monthly, heat, internet and water included. Being close to good schools are important but being close to center and being able to walk to shops and restaurants and cafes are as important.

Any suggestions & advise on “Best neighborhoods to live in with a family “ will be so much appreciated 🙏

• I asked the same question in Belgium community and was pointed to post it here for better and in depth information.

Please help me to navigate my situation, I receive C4 and I would like to know to whom exactly I should forward to get unemployment benefits, in the mean time I am still registering my business. Is there any free attorney services I can reach to. I would appreciate your help.

Also a side question regarding unlimited work permit, I have 36 payslips, am I eligible to apply for it.

​

Thanks

For several years now I wondered: who in their right state of mind thought having garbage trucks come and collect people's trash on Friday morning between 7:30-8:30 am was a good idea?!

Granted, they have to decide on a timeslot. But have they realised that's the time when parents drive/cycle their kids to school, which is probably the busiest in the whole day?

Every time there is double parking, or a car stopped on the road, or a larger vehicle on the opposite direction, or construction work, or someone moving into a building (with elevator vehicles, for example), the traffic stops indefinitely because the garbage truck can't procede. In some situations, even bicycles can't pass through. And obviously frustration and rage build up, as everyone is in a rush, even more so because some schools close their gates at a specific time, and no kids are allowed past that moment. Almost every kid in Brussels goes to school at the same time, but parents tend to pick them up at different times. So concentration of traffic during mornings tends to be higher than afternoons (more spread across the day).

I wonder if there ever was a study on traffic volume in Brussels to support my observations. I just think this is poor planning.

Hi all,

By pure chance I discovered the Vostock warehouse rave last week. It was amazing and I was hoping to find other similar events. However, I'm quite new to the scene and I'm having a hard time finding these smaller scaled events with a similar vibe (no fixed place/club but events organised at different locations).

Can anyone hook me up with some sites/facebook groups where these kinds of events are shared often?

Many thanks!

Hello, I am moving out of the country and need to terminate my energy contract with Mega (only gas).

I contacted their customer service and they sent me “document de reprise” to fill. I dont speak french and I didnt quiet understood the procedure as I will be leaving without having any new tenant to fill it in. Do you have any experience with this? Thank you

I'm in a band in Antwerp but live in Brussels and am looking for a place to practice the drums on my own. Does anyone know a nice spot that a.) isn't too expensive to rent and b.) has cymbals 'included'? I'd want to practice a couple of hours once a week.

Often rehearsal spaces are for a full band and therefore a lot more expensive... Hope someone can help me! ( :

After many years we plan to rent a flat (and rent our house). Is there any good template that you recommend in French to organise. This concerns well-maintained and furnished properties.

Our future landlord indicates in the contract that it is a non-furnished flat but an inventory will be drawn in the etat des lieux. I fail to understand the logic but I had a similar case last time we rented to keep things simple and probably avoid some tax?

Second is we are not required to be present for the etat des lieux. I found that strange.

More general especially in our own house rent contract what could be the negative aspect if we do not have an expert conducted etat des lieux. Would I be as the homeowner be less protected in case if damage occurs?

Hi,

I'll be staying overnight in Brussels May 11th, and was trying to find a bar that would be showing the Eurovision finals. Bonus points if it's the BBC feed, and/or an international bar. Any suggestions?

Hello,

I am wondering if you really need a tax accountant to fill in taxes. More specifically, i have some foreign income in addition to existing income from Belgian company.

I am unsure if I can do it by myself or consult with someone or just pay tax accountant?

I'm in search of a café or something similar where I can bring my computer and sit there for a while without feeling like I'm hogging the space or imposing for too long. I don't mind traveling a bit, so don't worry about the distance.

Of course, I know that it's generally recommended not to bring your computer on the weekends, so I'm mainly thinking about places that are open during the week as well. It goes without saying that I won't hog a spot for several hours after purchasing only one small coffee!

I have looked up a "working cafe's" on Google, but ngl, they aren't always the best to sit at, particularly the ones closer to the European Quarter (because they get so incredibly busy).

Being able to consume a beer or two is def a plus heheh

Does anyone know if anywhere will be showing the Coventry vs Ipswich game tonight (9pm), 30/04, with commentary?

TIA - desperate Ipswich Town fan.

Hello, is it legal in Belgium to have a flexi job as a 16 y.o. secondary student? Languages (EN, FR, NL) are not a problem for the candidate (EU national). Where to look for this kind of jobs?

A good friend of mine is a bit "in between" situations - traveling / work / looking for a place - etc.

So he is staying with me for a few months.... I'm the owner of the apartment.

He has asked me if it would be possible to register at my address (domiciliation)...
I don't have anything against it in principle - but it's not very clear to me what the consequences will be for me - will it have an impact on my taxes, on the house ? anything I should be aware of ?

I don't get any unemployment or anything like that - so, i'm just working.... (I know sometimes people can lose their unemployment or child allowance or CPAS... but that's not my case so...)

Thanks everyone !