European Commission - HR.B.1 - Brussels
Soon in Brussels 2013
European Commission - HR.B.1 - Brussels
Table of contents
Belgium and its institutions
Some facts about Belgium
A brief history of Belgium
The Belgian institutions
The 19 municipalities
Administrative procedures and the use of the official languages
Useful information
Useful contacts details before your arrival
The Welcome Office (integration, information and advice)
Activities
Accommodation
General Information
Short term housing
What is on offer?
How to find accommodation
Lease contract
The contract
End of the lease contract
What do you need to be careful of?
Inventory of the property and the fixtures
Real estate agencies
Your family/your spouse
Your spouse
Language class
Work in Belgium
Your children
Pregnancy and maternity
Childcare
Schools
Good to know
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European Commission - HR.B.1 - Brussels
Health
Doctors
Joint sickness insurance scheme of the European institutions (JSIS)
Transport
International transport
Mobility in Brussels
Train
Metro, tram, bus
Taxi
Bicycles
Your car
The driving licence
Registration of vehicles imported or aleady registered in another Member State
Rules of the road
Brussels– Europe liaison office
Visit Brussels
Notes...
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European Commission - HR.B.1 - Brussels
Belgium and its institutions
Some facts about Belgium
Year of entry in the EU: founder member in 1957
Capital: Brussels
Population: 11,008,000
Total surface area: 30,528 km²
Currency: euro
Political system: constitutional monarchy
Official languages: Belgium counts 3 official languages (French, Dutch and German), but Brussels is
the only bilingual Belgian area (French-Dutch).
A Brief History of Belgium
Belgium is one of the newer countries of Western Europe, having gained its independence less than 200 years
ago. For the previous two millennia it was a playground and often also a battleground for the great powers of
Europe and virtually every one of them held sway over it at one time or another.
What follows is a quick summary of Belgium's history.
From Caesar to Charlemagne
When Julius Caesar conquered Gaul the people he found living in present-day Belgium were the Belgae, one
of various Celtic tribes of early Gaul. The Romans called their new province Gallia Belgica.
In the fifth century, as the Roman Empire was slowly fading the Franks, a Germanic tribe, threw the Romans
out of Gaul. Several centuries later Charlemagne reunited Gaul and added most of the rest of Western
Europe to his empire. Apart from the wars he fought in order to expand his empire his reign was also notable
for his fostering of commerce, arts, and classical learning. However, his successors were not equal to the task
of keeping the empire intact and gradually Belgium was split: Flanders, the north western part, fell to France
and the south eastern part went to Germany.
Medieval times
This split heralded the beginning of the power of the Counts of Flanders, and cities on important commercial
routes such as Bruges, Ghent and Ypres became very prosperous, with the result that Belgium consisted of
strong fortified and virtually autonomous cities in Flanders, and less unified cities in the south. The golden
age for Flanders started: English wool was imported and woven into fine cloth and sold on the European
continent.
The powerful neighbour to the south, France, wanted to extend its control to the north of Belgium in order to
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lay its hands on the wealth of Flanders. This of course antagonised England. The Hundred Years’ War ensued
which eventually ended with Burgundy, an ally of England, becoming the ruler of Flanders in 1384.
The Burgundian era
Under Philip the Good, Burgundia expanded its sphere of influence to the southern part of Belgium, including
Brussels and Liège. A great period of cultural development commenced especially with regards to painting
such as by the Flemish Primitives, the Van Eyck brothers being the most famous among them.
As Bruges’ water passage to the North Sea slowly silted, Antwerp, on the Scheldt River, became
commercially the most dominant city in Flanders.
In the middle of the 16th century a long period of instability began. The catalyst was the ascent of
Protestantism in the Low Countries. The catholic kings of Spain tried to stamp out the new religion in a
particularly brutal way, which only succeeded in open rebellion to the Spanish authority. In 1648 the Treaty of
Munster was signed, not only granting independence to the Netherlands but more disastrously for Antwerp
allowing the closing of the Scheldt River to navigation. This meant that Antwerp gradually lost its
commercial status.
The long road to independence
Over the next hundred years or so, starting with the rule of Louis XIV, France made several attempts to
extend its control over Belgium. None of the other powers in Europe were particularly keen to see this
happen with the result that many battles were fought over, and in, Belgium. Eventually, in 1713 the Treaty of
Utrecht was signed where France agreed to leave Belgium to the Habsburg rulers of Austria. This meant
virtual independence for Belgium, but not for long as infighting among the Belgians and the rise of Napoleon
helped to return Belgium under French rule.
After Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo the powers of Europe decided to merge Belgium with its northern
neighbour, the Netherlands. However, a revolution soon started and on 20th January 1831 Belgium was
finally granted independence.
Capital of the EU and NATO
The Belgians chose as their first king Leopold of Saxe-Coburg. During his reign Belgium started to flourish
economically and culturally. His son, Leopold II, hired Stanley to explore the vast expanse of Congo in Africa
which he kept as his personal fiefdom until his death when he gifted it to the Belgian government. Congo
remained a Belgian colony until 1960.
The next two kings, Albert I and Leopold III, each had to face a world war. In particular Word War I was
devastating for Belgium as it was mainly fought on Belgian ground. After the end of World War II Leopold III,
who had surrendered to the German army rather than fleeing to London along with his government, was
confronted with substantial opposition upon his return from Germany and eventually abdicated in favour of
his son Baudouin. Upon the latter’s death in 1993 his brother Albert II succeeded him to the throne.
After World War II Brussels took on a leading role as co-founder of the European Community, and became the
capital of what is now called the European Union (EU). It is also the headquarters of NATO. In 1957 Belgium,
Netherlands and Luxembourg founded the Benelux Union.
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European Commission - HR.B.1 - Brussels
Belgian institutions
Belgium is a Federal state which consists of:
A federal government
Three regions: Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels-Capital
Three communities (linguistic): Flemish, French and German-speaking
Ten provinces
589 Communes
The Federal state, the Regions and the Communities have equal powers but operate in different fields.
The Federal State
At the level of the Federal state, the legislative power is exercised, on the one hand, by the federal
Parliament which is composed of two chambers - the House of Representatives and the Senate - and on the
other hand, by the Government - i.e. the King and the ministers. The King does not exert any power in his
own right. It is the ministers who, by counter-signing the government bills, voted by the Parliament and royal
decrees, take complete responsibility for it.
Overall, the competences of the Federal state concern everything that is of general interest to all the
Belgians like finances, the army, the police, justice, social security, foreign affairs, development cooperation,
an important part of public health and internal affairs.
The federal elections take place every four years.
The Regions
The names of the three regional institutions corresponds to the name of their territory: Flemish region,
Brussels region and Walloon region.
The Regions also have executive and legislative bodies: the Regional council and the Regional Government.
In Flanders, the Community and Regional institutions are amalgamated; there is only one Flemish Council
and a Flemish Government.
The Regions are competent for everything that concerns the occupation of the “territory” in the broad sense
of the term. Thus, they exert their competences with regard to the economy, employment, agriculture,
water, housing, public works, energy, transport (except for rail), environment, regional & town planning, rural
development, nature conservation, credit, foreign trade, supervision of the provinces, management of the
communes and inter-communal matters. They also have competence as regards scientific research and
international relations in the above mentioned fields.
Members of the Regional Councils are elected every five years.
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The Communities
Federal Belgium has three communities that are based on the concept of “language”.
The French-speaking Community exerts its competence in the Walloon provinces and in Brussels, the
Flemish Community in the Flemish provinces and in Brussels and the German-speaking Community in the
communes of the German language area.
The Communities are competent for all that is related to the people: culture, teaching, use of languages, the
health policy and assistance to the people (protection of youth, social security, assistance to families,
reception of immigrants,…). The Communities are also competent for scientific research and international
relations in their fields of competence.
Provinces
Belgium is divided into ten Provinces. They act in many different domains. They develop initiatives with
regard to teaching, to social and cultural infrastructures, preventive medicine and social policy. They also
deal with environmental issues, roads and waterways, the economy, transport, public works, housing, and
the use of languages. The Provincial Governor also has certain powers in the areas of security and law and
order.
In short, on its territory, the Province manages all that is of provincial interest, i.e. what does not concern
either the federal, the Community, the regional, or the communal interest.
The territory of the Brussels capital region does not come under the competence of the Provinces.
The area of Brussels-Capital
Brussels Capital region has a population of 1,119,088.
Brussels is the political and administrative capital of the kingdom and the administrative capital of Europe. It
is also the capital of the Flemish Community and of the French-speaking Community. In Brussels, many
linguistic communities co-habit: the French-speaking and the Dutch-speaking, of course, but also many
communities of residents from other European or non-European countries.
The city also houses the principal institutions of the European Union and, consequently, many delegations of
the member states. This has made Brussels a very cosmopolitan and multi-cultural city, and an increasingly
international region.
Brussels is made up of 19 communes with very diverse characteristics, both from the political and social point
of view as well as from a cultural, urban or financial point of view.
www.bruxelles.irisnet.be
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European Commission - HR.B.1 - Brussels
The 19 communes
The area of Brussels-Capital is made up of 19 communes which each have their own characteristics. The
communes close to the downtown area are animated, and well served by public transport.
ANDERLECHT
The commune of Anderlecht covers 17.7 square kilometres.
It is located in the south-west of Brussels. It is an integral
part of the urban fabric, with shopping streets, abattoirs
and an industrial zone, as well as hotels, schools and
colleges.
Anderlecht is a green commune. To build unbroken walks
through the territory the communal administration has
given each neighbourhood its own green areas. These
include a host of parks – Astrid, Crickx, Forestier,
Scherdemael, Joseph Lemaire, J. Vives, Pede, Etangs – and
the garden of the Erasmus House.
In the historical centre, which has retained its medieval
feel, the presence of the house of the famous humanist
Erasmus, who lived there in 1521, and the Béguinages – a
set of 16th century houses – offer a window on the past.
Along the Chaussée de Mons, a series of industrial and
workers’ neighborhood's connect the centre of Anderlecht
with Cureghem, before stretching beyond, most notably
into the workers’ housing estate of La Roue, which dates
from the beginning of the 20th century.
It is, on the whole, a green commune with quite rural areas.
AUDERGHEM
Part city part forest – a third of its surface area is covered
by the Forêt de Soignes (Sonian Forest) and large parks –
Auderghem is one of the most pleasant residential
communes
in
the
Greater
Brussels
area.
Despite three large main roads (Boulevard du Souverain,
Chaussée de Wavre, Viaduc Herrmann-Debroux) running
through its territory and a general increase in traffic levels,
Auderghem has managed to protect a relatively large
proportion of its natural and historical heritage
Auderghem boasts several metro stations, new offices and
shopping centres close to the start of the motorway
towards Namur.
The spacious neighbourhoods of villas next to the forest
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are
alternated
with
older,
more
modest
neighbourhoods that are now undergoing renovation.
Bordering Etterbeek, Ixelles, Overijse, Tervueren,
Woluwe-Saint-Pierre
and
Watermael-Boitsfort,
Auderghem covers 10.52 square kilometres.
BERCHEM-SAINTE-AGATHE
Berchem-Sainte-Agathe is a friendly place to live and
work. A commune close to the centre of Brussels, but
with rural roots, boasting woods, parks and plenty of
natural beauty. Berchem-Sainte-Agathe is one of the
Region’s most compact communes, covering just 295
hectares. It is also a place of striking contrasts. Not far
from Place du Docteur Schweitzer, crossed by the busy
Chaussée de Gand, you find the calm of the square
around the old church, the oldest part of the
commune.
Close to the restored church, now a cultural centre, the
picturesque "Allée verte" and Wilder’s wood reflect the
continuing rural character of the commune.
But there’s more: a huge farm in the green zone of
Zavelenberg is home to a hundred head of cattle that
pasture right opposite the Basilix shopping centre
every summer.
CITY OF BRUSSELS
“Brussels City” comprises three very distinct areas.
The Pentagon is the territory in the center of the
boulevards of the 'petite ceinture' which constitutes
the historical area of Brussels. Today, these central
districts have a very special charm thanks to the very
many restorations that have been undertaken to
encourage the return of inhabitants.
European Commission - HR.B.1 - Brussels
The Northern axis which includes the large territory of
Laeken is bordered by industrial zones including those
sites located along the canal (Neder-Over-Heembeek,
Haren….). Also situated in Laeken is the Royal Palace and
domaine, home to the Royal Family. This Northern area
has managed to preserve both the charms of the city and
of the countryside.
The Southern axis of the Commune of Brussels runs south
towards the forest 'Bois de la Cambre' in Ixelles and out to
St Gilles and Uccle. This constitutes the third area making
up the Commune of Brussels. The avenue Louise is wellknown for its luxurious shops and its majestic layout, and
the neighbouring streets of very beautiful old houses.
ETTERBEEK
Etterbeek is a highly urbanised commune in the centre of
the Brussels-Capital Region it covers 3.1 square kilometres,
adjacent to the European neighbourhood and the
Cinquantenaire.
Close to both the city centre and the Forêt de Soignes
(Sonian Forest), Etterbeek is crossed by the prestigious
Louis Schmidt and Saint-Michel Boulevards, which provide
fast access to the European road network.
Etterbeek can claim the densest education network in the
country, and it has plenty of green spaces, including JeanFélix Hap Park and the Fontenay-sous-Bois gardens. In the
busy "La Chasse" neighbourhood, Rue des Tongres and
Place Jourdan – home to a highly regarded market –
Etterbeek affirms its reputation as a commercial hub.
EVERE
Evere is located in the northeast of Brussels and covers an
area of 5 square kilometres bordered by the City of
Brussels ("Quartier Nord" and Haren), Schaerbeek,
Woluwe-Saint-Lambert and Zaventem (Sint-StevensWoluwe).
Evere is traditionally split into “Lower Evere” and “Upper
Evere”.
The "Lower Evere" begins around the Saint-Vincent
Church".
The other side of Avenue Léopold III is known as “Upper
Evere”, which has developed around Saint-Joseph
Church and the Chaussée de Louvain with its many
shops and stores. This part of the commune is very
green with wide avenues and imposing apartment
buildings.
Large office buildings are clustered around Rue de
Genève and especially Rue Colonel Bourg.
With the Brussels ring road just beside Avenue des
Communautés and Avenue Léopold III, Evere is the
perfect jump-off point for the national motorway
network (E40 Ostend-Liège-Cologne, E19 AntwerpMons-Charleroi-Paris and E411 Namur-Luxembourg).
There is also direct access to the airport.
Chaussée de Louvain and Chaussée de Haecht are also
two very important main roads with lots of shops. Evere
also has four semi-industrial zones for non-polluting
industries, which provide a growing number of jobs.
FOREST
Forest is a multicultural commune boasting several
residential neighbourhoods where the living is pleasant
and peaceful. There are plenty of green spaces and
parks in Forest for residents and visitors who enjoy a
stroll. A large part of its 6.2 square kilometres is taken
up by woodland and parks. The highest point in Forest
around 100 metres above sea level provides one of the
finest vistas of Brussels to be found.
The main attractions include several remarkable
buildings in the art deco and modern style. From its
medieval past Forest retains Saint-Denis church and
some buildings testifying to the wealth of its now-gone
abbey.
On the edge of the ring road, Forest is also a place of
major industry.
The internationally renowned entertainment venue
'Forest National' brings plenty of big names and media
attention to the commune.
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GANSHOREN
Located in the northwest of the Region, this old
farming district, long under the protection of Jette, is a
peaceful residential commune. Covering an area of 2.5
square kilometres, Ganshoren is bordered by Asse,
Koekelberg, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe and Jette.
A few farms can still be found just a few strides from
Avenue Charles-Quint, the expressway to the coast.
Ganshoren marsh, a nature reserve teeming with
species of birds, lies at the boundary of Baudouin Park,
located in the neighbouring commune. Château de
Rivieren is just a little farther.
Facing Koekelberg Basilica, Elisabeth Park stretches 21
hectares, 9 of them in Ganshoren. The park, created by
Léopold II, is a long public promenade, with a
playground.
IXELLES
Ixelles is a commune of great contrasts, loaded with
history. Busy and full of bustle, yet studded with parks
among its housing blocks, Ixelles is also home to the
prestigious Université Libre de Bruxelles.
Located in the south-east of Brussels, Ixelles covers an
area of 6.34 square kilometres and is bordered by the
City of Brussels, Etterbeek, Forest, Auderghem, Uccle,
Saint-Gilles and Watermael-Boitsfort. Ixelles has
something for everyone, from the main shopping
streets around Porte de Namur to the greenery of the
Abbaye de la Cambre.
Ixelles is a commune with very distinct
neighbourhoods. The many theatres and cinemas
mean Ixelles is the centre of culture and nightlife in the
upper town. The area around Porte de Namur and
Toison d'or, a hub of high-end stores and big brands,
could be described as Brussels’ second centre. Ixelles is
a bustling commune, especially the famous African
"Matongé" neighbourhood and around the Université
Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), but there are still
opportunities to get away from the hustle and bustle of
the great boulevards: Square de Meeûs, Parc ten Bosh,
Parc Abbé Froidure and Bois des Commères, where
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you can stroll around the ponds while admiring the
agnificent art nouveau architecture of the surroundings.
JETTE
Jette offers urbanites lots of access to nature, with four
parks - Jeunesse, Garcet, Huybrechts and Roi Baudouin.
There’s something for all ages.
Located 5 km from the centre of Brussels but well served
by public transport, Jette is an old village that was
absorbed into the city. The balance between housing and
enterprise has been subtly maintained.
Jette is bordered by Asse (Zellik), Wemmel, City of Brussels
(Laeken),
Koekelberg,
Molenbeek-Saint-Jean
and
Ganshoren.
A green lung in the northwest of the capital, the territory of
Jette includes 5 square kilometres of the Poelbos nature
reserve as well as the Roi Baudouin Park, which extends
over a hundred hectares.
As a family commune par excellence, Jette is where you
practice the art of living well. The little ones can be
introduced to the tenets of ecology and environmental
protection at the children’s farm.
The Miroir neighbourhood is crammed with shops and
plays host to one of the capital’s biggest markets every
Sunday.
KOEKELBERG
In spite of its small surface area, Koekelberg is one of
Belgium’s most densely populated communes.
Koekelberg commune covers a territory of 1.2 square
kilometres and bordered by Jette, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean,
Ganshoren and Berchem-Sainte-Agathe.
The small commune boasts a huge Basilica, the fifth
largest church in the world. Though often disparaged, the
impressive pink bulk of the Basilica, inaugurated by
Leopold II in 1905 to mark the 75th anniversary of
Belgium’s independence, is an interesting piece of history
for all architecture enthusiasts.
The completion of the Léopold II tunnel and the
prestigious buildings on the main road between the
Botanical Gardens in Saint-Josse and the Basilica have
stimulated a general trend of reconstruction at the
northern entrance to Brussels.
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MOLENBEEK
The densely populated Molenbeek-Saint-Jean is home to
large number of
businesses and a multi-cultural
population.
Molenbeek-Saint-Jean is a commune comprising two
distinct parts, covering a territory of 5.9 square kilometres
in total. The lower part of the commune boasts workingclass neighbourhoods with colourful workshops, peopled
mainly by migrant communities. The higher part of the
commune features a more modern, more residential urban
landscape.
The site of the Foundry, bought by the French Community
and turned into a museum of social and industrial history,
is an important monument to the commune’s industrial
past.
Large industrial and commercial concerns have moved into
Molenbeek attracted by the wealth of space, great
transport facilities, the proximity of main roads and the
availability of a large local workforce.
SAINT-GILLES
A commune with a very diverse population, Saint-Gilles
has been renovated and reappraised over the past decade
and a half, thanks to a determined policy of rejuvenation.
Located in south-central Brussels, Saint-Gilles is a
commune spread over 2.5 square kilometres with two very
different faces. The well-to-do, elegant neighbourhoods in
the upper reaches of the commune are home to majestic
private houses in every architectural style fashionable at
the beginning of the last century, especially art nouveau.
The home of Victor Horta is now a museum that welcomes
over 25,000 visitors a year.
The presence of Brussels-Midi train station in the lower
part of the commune has resulted in massive
redevelopment, especially since the arrival of the highspeed rail link.
Half-way between these two parts is the square in front of
Saint-Gilles church, which hosts a daily market in a
colourful, picturesque setting.
Over the past fifteen years its public space has been
redeveloped through a determined communal and
regional policy. Together with the renovation of many
buildings throughout the area, new pavements, lighting
and trees have helped improve the image of the
neighbourhoods.
SAINT-JOSSE-TEN-NOODE
Saint-Josse-ten-Noode is the smallest of the Brussels
communes (1.1 square kilometres), but also the most
densely populated.
In spite of its compact size, it is a commune of
incredible contrasts.
International-class hotels on Place Rogier, office
blocks on Place Madou and the small Manhattan feel
of the 'Nouveau Quartier Nord' constitute just one
side of Saint-Josse-ten-Noode. The other is made up
of neighbourhoods where Turkish migrants are far
and away the majority population. The result is a
friendly and bustling Anatolian ambiance.
On the site of the former Botanical Gardens the
neoclassical glasshouses now house the French
Community’s cultural centre (Botanique).
The great diversity makes Saint-Josse-ten-Noode the
perfect image of multicultural living, combining
housing, offices, culture and relaxation.
SCHAERBEEK
Schaerbeek is a populous commune of the BrusselsCapital Region after the City of Brussels and the
seventh largest by population in Belgium.
Schaerbeek’s different neighbourhoods are highly
diverse in sociological terms.
Located in the north-east of Brussels and covering an
area of 8.1 square kilometres, Schaerbeek is a
commune that is full of potential in terms of culture,
architecture and quality of life. It is composed of a lot
of neighbourhoods, many of which are cosmopolitan
and very popular. Noteworthy sites include Josaphat
Park, the town hall – which was built by Jules-Jacques
Van Ysendijck in 1887, the Sainte-Marie royal church,
Les Halles, the Maison des Arts, and many very well
preserved art nouveau and art deco buildings.
There is a large collection of open-air sculptures in
Josaphat Park, which is nestled among tree-lined
avenues of townhouses.
Les Halles on Rue Royale Sainte-Marie, a former
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European Commission - HR.B.1 - Brussels
covered market in the characteristic metallic style of
the late 19th century, has been transformed into an
activity and artistic centre.
Located halfway between the international centres of
NATO and the European Union, Schaerbeek is a fastmoving commune very much on the up.
UCCLE
Renowned for its middle-class neighbourhoods,
tranquillity and abundance of green spaces, yet not too
far from the centre of Brussels, Uccle is much in
demand among well-to-do families.
Uccle, which covers 22.9 square kilometres, is one of
the largest communes in Brussels and the fourth
biggest in terms of population. The large number of
green spaces as well as more than 500 hectares of the
Forêt de Soignes (Sonian Forest) make Uccle an
essentially residential commune.
Uccle is a mix of pleasant neighbourhoods of villas and
old village centres. It also boasts many listed buildings
and sites.
vestiges of rural housing alongside the UCL university
complex and a host of corporate headquarters and
administrative centre.
The commune is home to Woluwe Shopping Center, but
there is plenty of greenery to balance the retail with six
parks – Malou, Georges Henri, Sources, Roodebeek, Slot
and Neerveld and two impressive gardens – Tomberg and
Plantes médicinales. Culture is highly prized in WoluweSaint-Lambert too, as shown by the large number of
creative centres.
Townhouses and opulent buildings stand shoulder to
shoulder along the main roads that mark out the
neighbourhood - Avenue de Tervueren, Avenue de
Broqueville, Boulevard Saint-Michel to name but three –
but the commune is anything but one-sided. Thanks to
gradual development in the course of more than a
century Woluwe-Saint-Lambert has managed to blend
into the city without compromising the attractions of a
spacious, well appointed lifestyle, with a range of
community facilities, lots of greenery and great transport
links.
WOLUWE-SAINT-PIERRE
WATERMAEL-BOITSFORT
Watermael-Boitsfort is the most prosperous commune
of the Brussels-Capital Region, with the highest annual
income per inhabitant.
Today half of Watermael-Boitsfort’s 12.9 square kilometres is covered by the Forêt de Soignes (Sonian Forest). The small groups of semi-rural working-class and
middle-class houses give the commune a quaint charm.
The Le Logis and Le Floréal city garden are protected
areas.
The commune’s centre and main activities centre is
made up of three squares – Place Bischoffsheim, Place
Wiener and Place Gilson. Place Keym has developed
into the main centre for shopping.
Woluwe-Saint-Pierre is considered to be one of the most
lovely and greenest residential communes not only in
Brussels but in the whole of Belgium.
Woluwe-Saint-Pierre is a cosmopolitan, essentially
residential commune occupying 8.9 square kilometres,
including 180 hectares of green spaces.
Woluwe Park, the Mellaerts ponds and the Forêt de
Soignes (Sonian Forest) are all great opportunities for
some down time or leisure. Woluwe-Saint-Pierre has
managed to retain its harmonious layout and there are a
lot of architectural treasures waiting to be explored
around Avenue de Tervueren. Starting with the first-rate
Stoclet palace, for which Joseph Hoffmann drew the plans
in 1905.
WOLUWE-SAINT-LAMBERT
Woluwe-Saint-Lambert is a residential commune
covering 7.2 square kilometres in the eastern part of
Brussels. This is a commune of contrasts, with the
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Woluwe-Saint-Pierre has a large number of facilities for
its residents, including an impressive sports centre, one of
the best in the Brussels-Capital Region, where more than
40 disciplines are practised.
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European Commission - HR.B.1 - Brussels
Administrative procedures and the use of the official languages
Whilst in shops and in businesses the use of other languages is current, it is important to know that any
dealings with the Public administration (for example: commune, police, post office, water, gas & electricity,
etc…) are done - according to where you live – in French and/or Dutch. Knowledge of one of these two
official languages is very useful.
The Brussels capital region (19 communes) is the only bilingual area (French/Dutch).
The Walloon region is the area where French is spoken.
The Dutch speaking area is Flanders and also includes the “communes à facilités”. By “communes à facilités”
is meant, the communes located (close to the Brussels Capital region) in the Dutch speaking area where the
communication between the public authorities and the inhabitants can be possible in French when the
inhabitant specifically requests it. There are six communes located in the Flemish periphery of Brussels
(Wemmel, Drogenbos, Linkebeek, Rhode St. Genesis, Kraainem and Wezembeek-Oppem) that offer these
facilities.
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Useful information
Useful contact details before your arrival
Welcome Office: Integration, information and advice
Contact the Welcome Office whether you are an active member of staff, a new arrival or retired. The services
offered by the Welcome Office can be very useful for new members of staff and their family for all
information related to their integration at the Commission and in Brussels. All staff can make good use of
the various services of information and general advice. They also have access to the free legal advice service.
Services offered:
Welcome of newcomers
Help in the search for accommodation
Reading of rental contracts
Activities to facilitate the integration of newcomers and their family
Information on the administrative services of the Commission
Information and documentation on Brussels
Legal advice service
Conferences by the legal advisors
Legal brochures
Legalisation of signatures
Certified true copies
The service is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 16:00. It is not necessary to make an appointment (except
for legal advice).
Address:
Rue Montoyer 34
Mezzanine
1000— Brussels
You can ask for assistance or information on the various services, every day between 9:00 - 12:00 and 14:00 16:00 by calling the call centre on +32. (0)2.29.66600.
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Activities organized by the Welcome Office - Integration, information and advice in Brussels
INFO DAY
Organized by the Welcome Office of DG HR – this information fair is targeted to newcomers and their
spouses/partners with the aim of facilitating the installation and the integration of the family/couple in their
new place of residence.This event – organised once a year (spring) between 12:00 and 15:00 – offers a large
and varied range of information stands offering assistance and advice in all areas regarding life in the
Commission and in Brussels.
BRUXELLES TOGETHER
This is a guided visit of Brussels offered to all newcomers to help them to discover, in an interesting way,
many of the more unusual areas of the capital. Professional guides accompany the groups in French or
English and share their extensive knowledge of the city, telling stories and giving many useful tips. At the
end of the visit, the various groups gather to share a drink offered by the Welcome Office in a popular and
historical establishment of the city. This is the occasion for the participants to meet other newcomers and to
develop their social network. These visits take place once a month, on a Sunday afternoon.
INFORMATION DAY FOR SPOUSES
This is a meeting to allow the partners/spouses of newcomers to share a day together where they will get the
opportunity to speak about the experiences and difficulties with which they were confronted at the time of
their moving to live in Brussels. Members of the social policy unit are present to exchange ideas with them
and offer them the benefit of their long experience with the problems related to expatriation. It also gives the
participants the opportunity to meet with others in the same situation as themselves. It is organised once or
twice a year.
ST NICHOLAS FOR THE CHILDREN
The families and children of newcomers are invited to meet with St Nicholas around the 6th December each
year for an afternoon of fun and games for the children. Clowns and face painters are there to entertain the
children while they wait for the exciting arrival of St Nicholas! This event usually takes place in Rue Guimard
N° 10.
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JOB HUNTING SEMINAR
This one day seminar is intended for the spouses/partners of staff. The purpose of this seminar is to help the
participants with their search for employment in Belgium. It is organized around various topics: the CV,
interview techniques, the job market in Belgium, etc. It is animated by two trainers who are specialised in
this field and know about the special problems faced by expats in Belgium.
This event also makes it possible for the participants to meet other people in the same situation and gives
them the possibility of developing their social network.
NEWCOMERS GET TOGETHER COCKTAIL
The integration of newcomers and the importance of their creating a strong social network is very important
for the Welcome Office. In this context, they organise, twice a year, a cocktail which brings together all the
newcomers who have arrived in the previous six months. This event gives them the chance and the time to
meet other newcomers and get to know them. They can exchange information, tell of their experiences, tell
stories and generally spend a nice few hours together. This cocktail is organised in the Berlaymont building –
the symbolic headquarters of the European Commission.
All these activities are free and newcomers will be notified by email when they are organised.
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Accommodation
General information
Short term housing
Perhaps at the time of your arrival in Brussels, you will seek temporary housing. You have the choice
between several different types: hotels, flat-hotels, furnished flats. The flat-hotels are more expensive than
the furnished flat but offers hotel-like services (cleaning, bedding) and the system is more flexible than the
renting of a furnished flat.
If you rent a furnished flat, it includes not only the furniture, but also the kitchen utensils, tableware and
cutlery. Generally bed linen, towels, kitchen cloths etc are not included. Ask for a detailed inventory, you will
then be protected in the event of conflict. It is also possible to rent a room in somebody's home – bed &
breakfast.
What is on offer?
Contrary to many European capitals, Brussels does not have any housing shortage; it is relatively easy to find
accommodation (apartment or house), and the choices are extremely varied as regards prices which, in general, are lower than in most other European capitals even if they have been continuously increasing in the
past few years.
How to find accommodation?
Hotels:
From the tourist office.
There is also a central reservations number: Belgium Tourism
Reservation: +32.2.513.74.84
Apartments/houses:
Via Internet, principal sites:
www.vlan.be
www.immoweb.be
Specialized newspapers:
Vlan and Immo Transit
Brussels website:
www.brucity.be
Real estate agencies (be careful, they are not all reliable).
You can enquire from the I.P.I. (Professional Institute of the real estate brokers) www.ipi.be
This organization can provide you with a list of real estate brokers approved for the sale and renting of accommodation.
The Welcome Office manages a housing list of properties available to rent in Brussels and can send it to you
on request.
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Lease contract
The staff of the Welcome Office can check the lease contract with you before signature, check that all the
clauses are legal and propose improvements.
Just call on +32(0)2.29 66600 or to send it by e-mail to:
[email protected]
The contrat
There are two types of contract relating to the main residence of the tenant (in Belgium):
- 9 year duration;
- 3 years or less.
Warning:
A contract of 3 years or less must imperatively be concluded in writing. Failing this, it is automatically a 9 year
lease.
The short-term lease can be renewed only once in writing. If this is not done, and no notice is given then the
contract automatically becomes a 9 year contract. We advise you to sign the “short term lease” only if you
are sure that you will not want to prolong the initial contract.
End of the lease contract
When can the landlord put an end to the lease?
9 year contracts:
- at any time for personal occupation: 6 months notice
- after 3 or 6 years to carry out works: 6 months notice
- after 3 or 6 years without a reason: 6 months notice + the payment of an indemnity to the tenant
(6 or 9 months rent).
Warning: in the event of notice given by the landlord, the tenant has the right to move out giving
1 months notice and without paying an indemnity.
3 years or less:
The landlord cannot put an end to the lease and must respect the agreed term.
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When can the tenant put an end to the lease?
9 year contract:
At any time: 3 months notice + an indemnity to the landlord: 3.2 or 1 month of rent if the tenant
leaves in 1st, 2nd or 3rd year of occupation. From the 4th year, no indemnity is due.
3 years or less:
In theory, the tenant cannot put an end to the lease before the expiry date agreed except if he has
negotiated a special clause which allows for the early termination of the lease. However, the landlord is never authorised to terminate the short-term lease early.
The two parties can put an end to the contract by mutual agreement at any time but it is essential
that the tenant keeps written proof of the agreement of the landlord to the early termination.
The death of the landlord or the tenant does not put an end to the lease. It passes on to the heirs.
The sale of the of the property does not put an end to the lease either.
What do you need to be careful of?
For a contract of 3 years or less, negotiate the following clause (“diplomatic clause”):
“The tenant can terminate the contract at any time by giving 3 months' notice and paying an indemnity of
three, two or one month rent according to whether the occupation ends during the first, second or third
year of the lease.”
Most owners will ask you for a rental guarantee. This can never exceed 2 months rent (without the charges)
and the contract cannot require that the guarantee be given directly to the landlord. It must be placed on a
blocked account, opened by the tenant, in his own bank.
Rental charges can be expensive. Before signing the lease, ask to see the last statements of the charges
paid (for example, those of the previous year). Do not sign clauses of the style “the charges include in
particular…”. Ask that the list of the charges be restrictive and exhaustive. Make sure it is clearly specified in
the contract what charges have to be paid.
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Inventory of the property and the fixtures
The law foresees that for the inventory to be valid, it must be detailed and contradictory (i.e. made in the
presence of the tenant). It can in fact either be done by the two parties themselves or by one or two experts
representing the parties.
In the event of dissension on the choice of the expert, do not accept anything and leave the initiative to the
owner to consult the justice of the peace, who will decide.
Be careful if the expert is proposed by the landlord as this would not usually guarantee objectivity. The
Welcome Office can give you information on independent experts.
The inventory of fixtures is made in writing, in the presence of the 2 parties, and should be very detailed,
signed by the 2 parties or, at the very least, by the tenant. The tenant may find it beneficial to illustrate the
inventory of fixtures by photographs illustrating any apparent damage.
Ask the expert beforehand for a written estimate so you will know the cost of his intervention. Do not trust
verbal promises.
To be valid, the inventory of fixtures must imperatively be carried out either before entry in to the apartment,
or in the month after taking up residence.
Check the report and do not hesitate to dispute any inaccurate observations and correct the inaccuracies,
always in writing, and as soon as possible after getting the report.
Warning: If no inventory of fixtures is carried out, the law presumes in favour of the tenant who will be
presumed to have left the property in the same state as he found it. The landlord would have to try to prove
the opposite, but proof would be difficult to establish.
An insurance policy covering the property is compulsory.
Real estate agencies
Do not pay anything before the signature of the contract. It is at this time only that you will pay the first
month of rent. Certain agencies try to make you sign an undertaking to rent the apartment: do not accept
this!
The agency gets a commission from the owner, never agree to pay the agency anything!
Never sign an 'exclusivity' agreement with an agency.
If the contract is signed by an agent of the owner, check that he is entitled to represent him.
Never forget that the agency is paid by the owner and represents the interests of the owner.
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Your family/your spouse
Your spouse
Language class
The integration of the spouses / partners into life in Brussels is as important as that of the staff of the
institution itself.
The working languages used in Brussels and the surrounding areas are Dutch and French, but many of the
companies and international organizations also work in English. Perhaps your partner needs to prepare for
the job market by getting a good base in one these languages.
There are many possibilities for language classes in Brussels. You will find an excellent database showing the
various possibilities of language classes in Brussels on the site: http://www.siep.be
You will also find information on the language classes near where you live on the site of your commune. See
also the site of the Liaison office Brussels-Europe: http://www.blbe.be
To learn Dutch see: http://huisnederlandsbrussel.be
Work in Belgium
On the basis of the Treaty of Accession, nationals of the new Member States (Bulgaria and Romania) who
wish to work in Belgium have to obtain a work permit for one transitional period (except for the professions
for which there exists a labour shortage). This transitional measure was prolonged until December 31st,
2013. From the year 2014, this will no longer be the case and they will be exempted from obtaining a work
permit. Access to the labour market for citizens of new member states is governed by national law.
The partners/spouses of EU staff are subject to the rules applicable in Belgium. The Belgian national authorities can deliver special identity cards (CIS) to the people working within the EU institutions and also to their
dependent family members. In accordance with the article 12b of the Protocol on the privileges and immunities signed by the Member States on April 8th, 1965, these residence permits dispense with the requirement
for foreigners of registering with the municipal authorities.
However, a family member cannot have a Special Identity card if they are intending to work in Belgium. In
this case, they must give back their CIS and register with the municipal authorities of their place of residence
in order to obtain a communal identity card and, on the other hand, apply for a work permit from the regional administration of their place of residence.
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In a more general way, all of the legislation of the EU governing the free movement of persons applies to the
nationals of the new Member States in the same way that it applies to the nationals of the old Member
States, the only exception being the above-mentioned restriction of access to the labour market.
See also: www.blbe.be
Work permit
Citizens of the Member States of the European Economic Area (EU + Norway, Iceland and
Liechtenstein) are exempt from the obligation of obtaining a work permit. The following family members
living under the same roof are also exempt:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
their spouse;
their descendants or those of the spouse who are less than 21 years of age and dependent
their ascendants or those of the spouse who are dependent, except for the ascendants of students
or of their spouses.
the spouses of those mentioned under b) and c) above.
Useful addresses for obtaining the work permit:
Ministère de la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale
Direction de la Politique de l'Emploi et de l'Economie plurielle – Cellule Permis de Travail
Rue du Progrès 80, 4th floor
1035 Brussels
Tel.: +32. (0) 2.204.21.11
Bureau de Liaison Bruxelles-Europe
Avenue d'Auderghem 63 - 1040 Brussels
Tel.: +32. (0) 2.280.00.80
Fax: +32. (0) 2.280.03.86
Identity Card
If your spouse wishes to work in Belgium, they must register with the municipal authorities to obtain a
residence permit rather than to get the special identity card from the Institution
Job search
Access to employment may require certain qualifications or certain diplomas, professional experience or
indeed the knowledge of another language .
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Where to look?
Public employment agencies
The National employment office (ONEM) manages the requests for work permits and deals with questions
relating to unemployment and unemployment benefit. Work placements are a matter for the regional and
Community administrations.
The public employment agencies organise training courses intended for graduates without employment, to
enable them to acquire the necessary work experience. Those holding foreign degrees or diplomas can also
make use of this service.
There is no department specifically devoted to the recruitment of executives. Public employment agencies
treat only 7% of the higher posts. The market share of these public employment agencies is estimated overall
at 45%.
Information can be obtained from:
Actiris (Brussels):
Brussels Formation:
Le Forem (Wallonia):
VDAB (Flandres):
http://www.actiris.be
http://www.bruxellesformation.be/
http://www.leforem.be/
http://www.vdab.be/
Temporary work agencies
Belgium, widely uses private temporary work agencies. There is also an autonomous public agency for
temporary work: the “T-Service interim”.
Temporary work relates more usually to the lesser qualified job market. The sectors covered are the
administrative professions (especially secretariat), technical and industrial. Temporary work for management
posts is quite rare, even if some temporary agencies and private consultants are starting to work in this field.
Private Recruitment firms
Private recruitment agencies are well established and there are many in all the areas of the country. Their
activities are subjected to very few restrictions. Sometimes, they are limited to the search for candidates
only. In other cases, they deal with the whole of the procedure of research and selection, including the ads in
the press and the preliminary testing.
These agencies are especially used for the recruitment of employees and management staff. One finds, at
the top of the scale, recruitment agencies who are specifically devoted to those who hold university degrees
and looking for top management jobs .
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Media/ads
Employers, recruitment agencies and consultants resort frequently to the press to publish job offers on all
the levels. According to research undertaken by the newspaper Le Soir, 65% of job offers are done by ads in
the newspapers, 20% by recommendations and 15% via “headhunters”.
The daily newspapers which are most useful when searching for employment are Le Soir and De Standaard
(the Saturday edition, in both cases). These two daily newspapers have specific European and international
sections. Most jobs advertised in these sections require professional experience. It can also be useful to
consult local newspapers, including the free newspapers, where you can find a whole range of job offers,
including management posts.
The large recruiters often place ads in reviews like Knack (NL), Vif/L'express (FR) and Trends/Tendances.
The principal sites for job advertisements are:
http://www.stepstone.be
http://www.jobs-career.be
http://www.monster.be
Unemployment benefit
Rights acquired in another country of the European Union can, under certain conditions, be transferred to
another country. It is useful to find out before you leave, details of the competent authority in your country.
For more information on the rights of workers in Europe, you can contact Europe-direct on:
+800.6.7.8.9.10.11.
Job Hunting Seminar
See also page 16 - Activities organized by the Welcome Office.
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Your family/your children
Your children
Pregnancy and maternity
If you are expecting a baby, you can request a free copy of the very useful and comprehensive booklet with
DVD “Having your baby in Belgium” from the Welcome Office.
Two other useful brochures, “Famidoo” (in French and Dutch) as well as the booklet “Children in Belgium” (in
French and English) are also at your disposal on request at the Welcome Office.
Childcare
The nurseries of the Institutions
Commission
The nurseries of the European Institutions give parents from the various Member States of the Union, far from
their own country and family, the facilities they need for the care of their young children.
The C.P.E. - Centre for Early childhood – is available to statutory personnel working in Brussels. It offers
approximately 850 places, distributed over five sites: Palmerston, Beaulieu, Clovis,
Cole and Geneve.
The nurseries are open Monday to Thursday of 08:00 to 18:15 and Friday of 08:00 to 17:30. They function all
year around except for the official holidays of the Institutions.
Registrations for the nurseries is now done online. The requests for registration can be introduced all the year
via the application KiddyWeb (available on the Intranet of the Commission).
Contact:
Secretariat of the nurseries:
Tel.: +32. (0) 2 29 65100
E-mail: [email protected]
Council
The nursery of the Council is located at the Avenue de Brabançonne 100 - 1000 Brussels and is managed by
the asbl “Rire et Grandir” since September 1st, 2009.
It accommodates mainly the children of the staff of the Council. It can accommodate 181 children divided into
9 nursery sections and 2 kindergarden schools. The nursery is open 8:00 to 19:00 from Monday to Friday. It
accommodates children between 8 weeks and 3 years. 15 children maximum are registered per section. They
are staffed by 2 nursery nurses at least and 3 when there are more than 12 registered children (1 nursery nurse
per group of 6 children).
The kindergarden accommodates older children from 3 to 4 years. The sections comprise a maximum of 21
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children staffed by 1 teacher, 1 language teacher and 1 nursery nurse (1 person for 7 children).
For the staff of the Council, registrations must be introduced to the:
Social Unit - Ms Kordy
Office 00.70.LM.06
Tel.: +32. (0) 2.281.64.44
Fax: +32. (0) 2.281.77.27
E mail:[email protected]
European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and Committee of the Regions (CoR)
Registration for the nurseries for staff of the CESE, should be addressed to the Social sector:
[email protected]
For the staff of the CdR, registrations should be sent to:
Social actions - Ms Tenidis
[email protected]
Tel.: +32- (0) 2.282.20.93
Fax: +32- (0) 2.546.81.46
Warning: the number of places is limited in all the nurseries. Candidates should
register as soon as possible.
External nurseries
The organization of childcare facilities for children (from 0 to 12 years) in Belgium is a Community matter.
Nursery and child-minding facilities will therefore be either Dutch-speaking or French-speaking. This does
not
exclude
the
fact
that
staff
can
be
bi-lingual
or
multilingual.
If you want to get a list of the child-minding services in your commune, please contact:
For the Dutch-speaking services, in Brussels and in the Flemish Brabant:
KIND EN GEZIN,
Hallepoortlaan 27.1060 Brussels
Tel.: +32. (0) 2.533.12.11
[email protected]
www.kindengezin.be
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For French-speaking services in Brussels:
Committee subrégional of the Office of the Birth and Childhood,
rue de l'Hôpital 31 bte 1 (11th floor), 1000 Brussels.
Tel.: +32. (0) 2.511.47.51
[email protected]
www.one.be
After school child-minding service
Commission
The European Commission organizes an inter-institutional after school child-minding service, for the children
of the statutory personnel. This service is divided between various sites: Wilson (+ Van Maerlant), Beaulieu,
Genève and also in the four European Schools (Ixelles, Uccle, Woluwé, Laeken).
This structure takes responsibility for looking after the children by qualified supervisor-teachers from their
arrival at the facility until closing time. Various activities are proposed, including games and sport activities.
A study hall is also organized.
In addition, the children are also accommodated during school holidays, which are not holidays for the
statutory personnel.
Secretariat of the child-minding services (after-school and holiday periods):
Tel.:+32. (0) 2.29 50945
+32. (0) 2.29 87388
+32 (0) 2.29 66733
[email protected]
Council
For the staff of the Council, registrations must be made to the Social Unit:
Ms Wejman-Szabla
Tel.: +32. (0) 2.281.30.14
Fax: +32. (0) 2.281.77.27
[email protected]
European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and Committee of the Regions (CoR)
Registrations for the staff of the CESE, please contact the Social actions sector:
[email protected]
For the staff of the CdR, registrations to: Social actions - Ms Tenidis
mail: [email protected]
Tel. +32. (0) 2.282.20.93 Fax: +32. (0) 2.546.81.46
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Outdoor - holiday childcare centre
Commission
The outdoor childcare centre accommodates children from 4 to 14 years, during the Easter and summer
school holidays, in the European Inter-Institutional Centre of Overijse. According to the number of registrations, the children can also be accommodated in the buildings of the central child-minding structures in Brussels.
Supervision is ensured by teachers from the after school child-minding service and experienced temporary
staff with teaching qualifications
The centre is open from 8:15 to 18:00 (Friday until 17:30). The children can be dropped off and collected
at Overijse or at the after school child-minding service of Wilson or Beaulieu.
Contact:
Tel.: +32 (0) 2.29 50945 or
Fax: +32 (0) 2.29 52398
Council
For the staff of the Council, registrations should be made to the Social Unit,
Ms Wejman-Szabla
[email protected]
Tel.: +32 (0) 2.281.30.14
Fax: +32 (0) 2.281.77.27
European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and Committee of the Regions (CoR)
Registrations for the the staff of the CESE, please contact the Social Actions sector:
[email protected]
For the staff of CdR, registrations must be sent to:
Social actions - Ms Tenidis
mail: [email protected]
Tel.: +32 (0) 2.282.20.93
Fax: +32 (0) 2.546.81.46
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Schools
European schools
There are currently four European Schools in Brussels. They are located at Uccle, Woluwe, Ixelles and
Laeken.
Adresses of the European Schools
BRUSSELS I:
BRUSSELS II :
BRUSSELS III :
BRUSSELS IV :
46, Avenue du Vert Chasseur – 1180 BRUXELLES
' +32-(0)2-373.86.11 - 7 +32-(0)2 -75.47.16 – www.eeb1.com
75, Avenue Oscar Jespers - 1200 BRUXELLES
' +32-(0)2-774.22.11 - 7 +32-(0)2-774.22.43 – www.eeb2.be
135, Boulevard du Triomphe - 1050 BRUXELLES
' +32-(0)2-629.47.00 - 7 +32-(0)2-629.47.92 – www.eeb3.eu
86 Drève Ste-Anne, - B-1020 Laeken
' +32-(0)2-340.13.90 - 7 +32-(0)2-340. 14.98 – www.eeb4.be
For more information see: www.eursc.eu.
These schools offer general academic teaching which allows the pupils, divided into linguistic sections, to
follow a curriculum in their mother tongue or dominant language. For certain languages, there is not yet a
language section and these students without linguistic sections (“SWALS”) are divided between the sections
FR, EN or DE of the four schools. They also follow classes in their mother tongue.
Distribution of the linguistic sections
ES of Brussels I : English, Danish, Spanish, French, German, Hungarian, Italian and Polish sections. The
Maltese pupils are enrolled in the EN section in Brussels I. Croatian pupils are enrolled starting from 4th
secondary in the DE, EN or FR sections. SWALS pupils are: Slovenian, Bulgarian and Romanian (from 4th
secondary)
ES of Brussels II: English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Lithuanian (nursery and primary cycle), Dutch,
Portuguese and Swedish sections.
SWALS: Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian (secondary cycle).
ES of Brussels III: English, Spanish, French, German, Greek, Dutch and Czech sections. (nursery, primary
and 1st and 2nd secondary).
SWALS: Slovak and Czech (from 3rd secondary)
ES of Brussels IV: Bulgarian (nursery and 1st primary), English, French, German, Italian (nursery to 3rd
secondary) and Dutch (nursery until 2nd secondary).
SWALS: Croatian and Romanian pupils are enrolled in the nursery up to 3rd secondary in the DE, EN and FR
sections. Bulgarian from 2nd primary to 3rd secondary.
Inscriptions
The enrolment policy is adopted by the Board of Governors and takes into account the constraints of the
school population. The enrolment policies, including the registration forms are available on the intranet site:
http://myintracomm.ec.europa.eu/hr_admin/en/social_bxl/family/Pages/schools_europ.aspx
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(You can consult this site on the INTRANET once you start working.)
Council
Council staff can submit the registration forms to the Social Unit:
[email protected]
' +32-(0)2-281 30 14
Social service of the Council: [email protected],
' +32-(0)2-285 76 25
European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and Committee of the Regions (CoR)
Regarding the children of the personnel of the EESC, please contact the Staff Support Sector:
[email protected]
For the children of the personnel of the CoR please contact the Social Actions sector:
Ms Tenidis, Office BvS 934, tel. +32-(0)2-282 2093, Fax +32-(0)2-546 8146,
E-mail: [email protected]
School Fees
Officials of the European institutions do not have to pay any school fees. Temporary agents, auxiliary and
contractual staff benefit from the same advantage for the duration of their contract if this is for one year or
more. This also applies to seconded national experts who are seconded for an initial period of one year or
more.
Special Needs
The European schools have adopted an integration programme for pupils with specific educational needs
(SEN), due to learning, physical, mental or behavioural disabilities. However, schools are not always in a
position to cope with all cases. If your child presents such specific needs, you should contact the schools
beforehand in order to know what the educational possibilities are. You can also contact the social
department of the Commission
Tel: +32-(0)2-29 59098
E-mail: [email protected]
For the Council staff: see chapter 10).
Transport
Transport is organised in Brussels by the Parents' Associations at each European school. This service is paid
by the Institution for its officials, temporary and contractual staff who do not pay school fees and whose
children are in the primary or secondary sections of the European schools. This does not apply to seconded
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national experts. Transport is not free for the nursery classes.
See: http://myintracomm.ec.europa.eu/hr_admin/fr/rights/allowances/Pages/school.aspx
and/or, if applicable, the equivalent intranet pages of the other Institutions.
(You can consult this site on the INTRANET once you start working.)
Admissions
Admission into the nursery school takes place at the beginning of the school year in September of the
civil year in which the child reaches 4 years of age. Admission into the first class of the primary takes place
at the beginning of the school year in September of the civil year in which the child reaches 6 years of
age. For higher classes, the admission is subject to the same conditions of age increased by the number of
years corresponding to the class.
Internet site of the European schools: www.eursc.org
Belgian schools
In Belgium, schooling is obligatory until 18 years and has 4 different cycles:
kindergarden: from 2,5 to 6 (not obligatory),
primary: from 6 to 12,
secondary: from 12 to 18,
superior: after 18 years (not obligatory).
The schools are grouped into two different types :
- official schools
(organised by public bodies : communes, towns, provinces and communities);
- « Free » (mainly christian) and also
- private schools
In Brussels, all schooling is in either French or in Dutch and, in the schools subsidised by the local
authorities, the study of the second language is obligatory after 3rd class primary.
Practically all the schools are mixed, boys and girls and external (not boarding). Classes are between 8h8h30 and 15h30-16h. Most of the children eat their lunch at the school (but this is not an obligation) and
all schools offer the possibility of a hot lunch.
Most schools offer an after-school child-minding service between 16h and 18h where the children are
helped with supervised study (there is normally a small contribution requested for this service).
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International schools
British School of Brussels (BSB)
Leuvensesteenweg 19 à 3080 Tervuren
Tél. +32-(0)2-766.04.30
Fax +32-(0)2-767.80.70
E-mail: [email protected]
www.britishschool.be/
Deutsche Schule Brüssel
Lange Eikstraat 71 à 1970 Wezembeek-Oppem
Tél. +32-(0)2-785.01.30
Fax +32-(0)2-785.01.41
E-mail: [email protected]
www.dsbruessel.be/
Scandinavian School of Brussels
Square d’Argenteuil 5 à 1410 Waterloo
Tél. +32-(0)2-357.06.70
Fax +32-(0)2-357.06.80
E-mail: [email protected]
www.ssb.be/default.htm
Lycée français de Belgique
Avenue du Lycée français 9 à 1180 Bruxelles
Tél. +32-(0)2-374.58.78
Fax +32-(0)2-374.98.43
E-mail: [email protected]
www.lyceefrancais-jmonnet.be
International School of Brussels (ISB)
Kattenberg 19 à 1170 Bruxelles
Tél. +32-(0)2-661.42.11
Fax +32-(0)2-661.42.00
E-mail: [email protected]
www.isb.be/
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Good to know
Baby sitting
A good address: www.liguedesfamilles.be
Childcare for sick children
Most communes have an on-call home service. Contact the administration of your commune for details. The
public social security centres (C.P.A.S.) of all communes can provide you with information regarding the
possibilities for child care in your area.
Activities during the school holidays
See “Outdoor holiday childcare centre”. (page 29)
You will also find a wide selection of activities for children on the site www.inforjeunes.be and information
on language training courses, on www.siep.be
Employing an "Au pair " (live-in child-minder)
Employing an 'Au Pair' is subjected to a specific legal procedure depending on the area in which you live
(Flanders, Walloon region or Brussels-Capital area). The Liaison office Brussels-Europe can provide you with
information on this subject, as well as the addresses of the competent authorities (http://www.blbe.be).
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Health
Belgium is well known for the quality of its healthcare.
Contrary to certain countries, the choice of doctor in Belgium is completely free and you can make an
appointment with a specialist yourself without have to go through your family doctor.
You must pay for the consultation and medication yourself and then apply to the institution for a
reimbursement afterwards.
Doctors
Doctors' fees are not fixed and some doctors, especially specialists may apply fees higher than the norm.
An on-call service is organized in the evening and at the weekend: +32 (0) 2 479.18.18.
You will find a list of all the general practitioners in Brussels on the site: www.mgbru.be
Most embassies also have a list of doctors speaking your language.
JOINT SICKNESS INSURANCE SCHEME OF THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS (JSIS)
The officials and other servants of the European Institutions (and their family under certain conditions)
automatically benefit from the Joint Sickness Insurance Scheme of the European Communities (JSIS), which
refunds medical expenses at the rate of 80% for most acts and treatments (within certain ceilings). In certain
cases, refunding is lower than 80% of the expenses. It is the case for the countries where the medical
expenses are very high (ex: The USA, Japan, Switzerland) or when the costs are considered to be excessive.
The officials and other servants of the European Institutions are also covered by an accident insurance and
an insurance against occupational diseases. The health insurance scheme is financed by a contribution
equivalent to approximately 2 % of the basic monthly salary of each staff member.
Proof of cover (affiliation)
Staff members in activity (officials, temporary staff or contract employees) affiliated on a purely primary
basis, can get a proof of cover which confirms their affiliation to the JSIS by connecting to an application
called e-ASSMAL (JSIS online). The certificate is available in 22 languages.
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Transport
International transport
Brussels enjoys a central situation in Europe and its transport links with other countries are extremely well
developed.
Trains
The Belgian railway system is one of the most highly
developed with the world with nearly 4 .000 km of
railway lines serving the majority of its cities and
towns.
All the lines are exploited by SNCB (Belgian National
Railway Company).
There are four main railway stations in Brussels:
South Station (Gare du Midi)
Central station (Gare centrale)
Luxembourg station (Gare de Luxembourg)
North Station (Gare du Nord)
All these stations are interconnected and your ticket
remains valid everywhere. Many international trains
pass through all the stations except the TGV, Thalys
and Eurostar which only leave from the South station
(Gare du Midi).
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Airports
National airport: www.brusselsairport.be
Located at Zaventem, less than 15 km from the
centre of town. The airport is easily accessible by
road, rail (Airport City Express) or by bus (Airport
line).
Charleroi Airport: www.charleroi-airport.com (this
is a base for low-cost companies). Situated
approximately 60km from Brussels.
European Commission - HR.B.1 - Brussels
Mobility in Brussels
Circulation is rather dense in Brussels. More than 300,000 vehicles enter and leave the city. These figures are
always increasing. The number of parking spaces downtown is very limited. For years, the political authorities have sought to encourage the use of public transport and the bicycle.
See: http://www.bruxellesmobilite.irisnet.be/Trains
Trains
Metro, trams, bus
There are 29 stations in Brussels!
This means of transport is used little in
Brussels but it is however one of the fastest
ways of getting around.
The principal buildings of
institutions are situated
Luxembourg Station and
station.
See: www.sncb.be (FR) or
(NL)
the European
next to the
the Schuman
These services run between 5:00 and midnight
approximately and are run by the STIB (Inter-Communal
transport company of Brussels – www.stib.be) or MIVB (in
Dutch) – www.mivb.be
Services are very frequent during the rush hours but slow
down significantly in the early evening.
The STIB network has 4 underground metro lines, 18 tram
lines, 50 bus lines and 11 night bus lines.
www.nmbs.be
There are many tariff formulas for each type of traveller:
from the simple one-journey ticket to the yearly
subscription. Rates also vary according to the age of the
traveller.
The official Brussels taxis are easily
recognisable by the roof lamp specific to
the Brussels region.
The tickets must be validated in a special machine before
each journey. A simple one-journey ticket is valid during
one hour regardless of the number different lines taken.
It is difficult of hail a taxi in the street, it is
usually better to go to an official taxi rank
or to order one by telephone.
Commission staff benefit from free transport on the bus
lines 21 and 22 which serve the buildings of the European
Commission. Presentation of the staff card ensures access
to these buses.
Taxis
All the taxis are equipped with a meter.
There are several rates but they are always
clearly visible inside the car.
It is usual to give a tip.
Collecto
Collecto is a service of shared taxis available between 23h
and 6h in the morning. Collecto is very flexible: you take
the taxi at a given Collecto stop and you can go to any
address of your choice within the limits of Brussels area.
Cost: 5 € for the subscribers of MOBIB, 6€ for others.
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Bicycles
Cycling is more widespread now and in recent years cycle paths have made their appearance in the city.
An association (http://provelo.be) proposes a sponsor system where an experienced cyclist will help you to
find the best route for you and will accompany you to show you the way.
Service Bicycles:
Nearly 200 service bicycles are at the disposal of Commission staff for their journeys during the working
day. The bicycles are available in the different Commission buildings and can be found in the car parks in an
area especially arranged for this purpose. After your journey with the bicycle, you can make use of the
showers that are at your disposal in the various buildings.
There is a central number for enquiries concerning the service bicycles: 02-29 20200
[email protected]
10 service bicycles are also at the disposal of staff of the European Economic and Social Committee (CESE)
and the Committee of the Regions (CdR).
“The Association of the cyclists of the EU” (EU Cyclists Group) tries to encourage and support bicycle riding
on a daily basis among the staff of the European institutions in Brussels.
The EUCG collaborates with other cyclists associations in Brussels on items of shared interest and seeks to
promote joint positions regarding cycling in general. (www.eucg.eu)
Villo
These are the ranks of yellow city bikes that are to be seen everywhere around the city.
The network has more than 2500 bicycles. 180 Villo ranks are situated around the different Brussels
communes. Info: www.villo.be
Cambio
Cambio is a car-sharing service. You have a car when you need it thanks to an online reservation system. You
pay a month's subscription, the then you pay only for the time you use it and the kilometers!
www.cambio.be
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European Commission - HR.B.1 - Brussels
Your car
The driving licence
Driving a car in Belgium is authorized for any person over 18 years of age in possession of a valid driving
licence.
Since October 1st, 1998, driving licences issued by any Member State of the European Union or European
Economic Area is valid in Belgium. In the event of limited validity, these licences should be renewed or
exchanged for a Belgian driving licence before their expiration date.
It is advisable to present a copy of your driving licence to the Commune so that in the event of loss, it can be
replaced with a minimum of trouble
See also: www.blbe.be
Registration of vehicles imported or already registered in another Member State
The Royal Decree of July 20th, 2001 relating to the registration of vehicles, states in Chapter 1, Section 2,
article 3 § 1 that people residing in Belgium must register here the vehicles that they wish to use in Belgium,
even if these vehicles are already registered abroad.
Belgian residence means people who are registered or mentioned in the population register of a Belgian
commune.
That means, that EU staff must register their vehicle as soon as they are in possession of a special identity
card (CIS) or of an identity card from the commune, because they are then registered with the population
register.
In the event of a control by the police, if the papers are not in order the vehicle can be confiscated, a fine
imposed and a complicated import procedure will be started if you are registered at the Commune but still
driving a vehicle with foreign number plates.
There is no value added tax (VAT) charged for the registration of a vehicle in Belgium
as long as the following conditions are met:
- the car comes from another Member State,
- it is not a new car, its first registration dates from more than six months and the car has at least 6,000
kilometers on the clock,
- the car must pass a Belgian technical control.
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Conditions of registration:
- the owner must be registered with the municipal authorities,
- the vehicle must be accompanied by its certificate of conformity (delivered by the manufacturer or the importer in Belgium),
- the vehicle must be insured.
If all these conditions are met, a request for registration can be made to:
D.I.V.
rue du Progrès 56 - Building City Atrium
1210 Brussels
Tel.: +32. (0) 2.277.31.11
Opening hours: 8:30 -12:30/13:30 - 15:30.
The number plate remains your property and is transferable in the event of purchase of a new vehicle.
Once you register your car you must pay a road tax, payable once annually. The amount of the tax is calculated on the horse power of the vehicle.
For further information on taxes see: http://www.automagazine.be/fr/page
When leaving Belgium definitively it is necessary to cancel the registration and to return the number plate to
the D.I.V.
IMPORTANT: if your vehicle is no longer in circulation when you leave Belgium, even temporarily, take care
to cancel the registration and to return the plates to avoid remaining liable for the road tax. .
For further information see:
http://myintracomm.ec.europa.eu/hr_admin/fr/welcome-office-bxl/special-ID-VAT-certificates/Pages/
car.aspx
and/or the equivalent pages of the Intranet of the other institutions.
These Intranet pages are accessible as soon as you take up duty.
The staff of the Council can contact the Service “Privileges and immunities” of their institution:
+32. (0) 2.281.80.54).
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The staff of the CESE can contact the Sector “Privileges and immunities” of their institution: (': +32. (0)
2.546.91.25 or Privilèges-immunité[email protected]
The staff of CdR can contact the Sector “Privileges and immunities” of their institution (': +32. (0) 2.282.20.79
or [email protected]).
Rules of the Road

Cars coming from your right have priority except on the motorways, roundabouts or on priority roads.

The trams always have priority.

Speed is limited to 50km/hour in urban areas (30 in the downtown area), 90km/hour on national roads
and 120km/hour on motorways.

Wearing a seat belt is obligatory both in the front and the back of the vehicle. Children of less than 12
years must sit in the back. The rate of alcohol in the blood must not exceed 0.5%. Vulnerable road users
(pedestrians, cyclists) have priority.
For more information: http://ibsr.be/fr (Belgian Institute for the Road safety).
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BRUSSELS EUROPE LIAISON OFFICE
The Brussels Europe Liaison Office was created with a double aim: to help European staff integrate successfully in Brussels and to make the population of Brussels aware of the presence of the European institutions.
It can help you with many of your administrative questions in Brussels.
Brussels Europe Liaison Office
Avenue d'Auderghem, 63
1040 Brussels
Tel. +32. (0) 2.280.00.80
Fax +32. (0) 2.280.03.86
www.blbe.be
[email protected]
VISIT BRUSSELS
Provides a lot of information on cultural activities, hotels and restaurants in Bruxelles.
Documentation, books, souvenirs, maps and guides, etc. Tickets for city bus tours, shows and events.
VISITBRUSSELS — Brussels Information Places (IBP)
Rue Royale 2,
1000 Brussels
Tel. + 32 (0) 2 513.89.40
Open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 18:00
and the weekend and bank holidays of 10:00 to 18:00.
VISITBRUSSELS - Town hall of Brussels
Grand Place,
1000 Brussels
Tel. + 32 (0) 2 513.89.40
Open every day from 9:00 to 18:00.
www.visitbrussels.be
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