Runners in Bruxelles: what do you do when it rains and/or snows during autumn and winter? Which areas and gear do you suggest for outdoor running during this time or do you go to gym or not run at all?
Hi. So my friend just had a baby girl.
What gift can i order or send to them? Like hamper or utility hamper
They live in Ghent and already have some hand me downs from other people who had babies recently.
I live abroad and want to order something to send via mail?
Something personal and not mainstream.
Please help with ideas and store links.
Thanks
Preferably one that is good to have on your cv
Op ons kantoor (30 man) willen we af van het gesleur met flessen en waterbidons. We zoeken een leidingsysteem dat rechtstreeks op de waterleiding wordt aangesloten, voor zowel gekoeld plat als spuitwater. Inclusief onderhoud (filtervervanging en reiniging door de leverancier). Welke systemen of leveranciers zijn aan te raden?
I’m planning to move from Croatia to Belgium to join my girlfriend, who’s a dentist working at a private clinic in Hasselt (Flanders). I hold a master’s degree in Surveying/Geodesy and currently speak fluent English, plus basic Dutch (actively learning now).
I’m trying to gauge the job market in Flanders for my field (geodesy / land surveying / geomatics / GIS) and would really appreciate any insight on:
Job prospects in geodesy/surveying/GIS – Are there private surveying firms, public administration, utility/infrastructure firms, or engineering consultancies hiring? Is a Dutch language requirement strict, or is English environments common in international firms?
Recognition of my Croatian MSc – Any experience with NARIC/recognitie van diplomas for Croatian degrees in Flanders?
Alternative roles – If the surveying market is tight without fluent Dutch, what not related roles should I target?
Job boards / networks – Any Flanders-specific job boards, recruiters, or professional associations g., worth watching?
A bit more context: I’m an EU citizen (Croatia), so no visa/work permit issues. My girlfriend is settled in Hasselt, so we’d ideally stay in the Limburg/Flemish Brabant area, but I’m open to commuting.
Thanks in advance for any tips, contacts, or reality checks!
Hi!
So from what I understand, the value we receive from the mutualiteit when we are sick is around 60% of our gross. They withhold 11% of taxes already. How should we calculate the remaining tax? Is the money taxed at the same percentage as out normal salary or as we fall into a lower tax bracket, is it taxed less? I am getting around minimum wage after applying the 60% (so circa 2k). Will this money also be taxed with the minimum tax by the end of the year?
Thank you!
I'm still a student and under my name on my cv I put student, but under 'experiences' I put after each role (student). Is that necessary or good to have or is it too much and useless?
Example:
Cashier (student)
Orderpicker (student)
🙂Hi guys, I’m the founder of a new brand, and I have branded tumblers that I would like to sell in Belgium through my website Vonthya.com
Do you guys have any suggestions were should I post besides the usual platforms…?
Please don't delete this post! I don't know where else to post. I'm desperate in need of help. (r/Legaladvicebelgium does not have many members).
It's a really long story but here's a short version:
Long story short: I came for studies, had to terminate studies because of something personal, came back to my country, and subletted the student property. Landlady wasn't happy that I subletted, she's saying why should she pay me back deposit money? The new tenant didn't pay her deposit money (although he's actively paying all rents). Now landlady (and landlord- her husband) both are avoiding me. Landlord has blocked me on WhatsApp. Lease officially expires on 31 August, 2026. Which is currently in my name. How do I get the money back? (I cannot come to Belgium again).
Longer version with important details (police was involved in a squatter situation):
July 31, 2025 - I paid deposit money of 2 months rent (1120 euros) and signed a official student rental agreement (also signed by landlady) for 1 year lease. The money was paid directly to her account.
September 1, 2025 - I moved in the property. Property is in Ixelles, Brussels.
December 27, 2025 - I left because I was depressed. I wasn't sure if that was temporary. Subletting is not allowed in the student property, although landlady allows if you request her (I saw when I was there). I officially agreed with a guy to sublet to him (so I could keep visa if I wanted to come back). I had left the key in the room door, like I always did when living there- property is password protected from the outside so it's safe.
January 2, 2026- When the new person (who is a lawyer) came to pick up the key, there was a squatter living there. Apparently, another person who was living in the building had let the person in sharing his personal password. The person wasn't going out, and police had to be involved to kick him out. The lawyer called police to get rid of squatter. I was in my country at that time. Landlady was called and she was angry (rightfully), saying that subletting isn't allowed, how did anyone even know to move in and that you weren't there?
Anyway, police had used the spare key, and got him out. The lawyer made me text her that he, xyz name, is my friend, his social security no. is abc, and that as my friend he will be taking care of my room so nothing like this happens again, and that he will keep the key while I'm not there. Landlady told me thanks for letting me know providing his details. The lawyer took key, he left, and next week he moved in.
He had paid January's rent directly to landlady, and provided me bank document too. We were regularly in touch. He told me he's getting the place for his cousin who is not a student but will be student in a couple of months (place can be rented to only students). He said after the lease is over, his cousin will officially get it in his name. And he said he is a little tight on money so I'll have to wait few months to get the deposit money back. I said okay.
We regularly called for a month even to randomly chitchat. But afterwards, he started ghosting me. I couldn't contact him again, neither do I have his cousin's contact who lives there. The people in the building say the cousin person is incredibly rude and doesn't talk to anyone.
February: Landlady visited the place in February, and she saw the person (his cousin) living there. And he told her that I've officially left the country, and that he lives there now.
May 21, 2026: I sent landlady a message, "As you know, I've left the place. Can we please terminate the contract", and asking her about the deposit money. She confirmed, "You wish to terminate the contract?" I said yes. She asked me to send her email I did so. But she kept on forgetting and asking me again and again "Oh you wish to terminate contract? Ok".
August, 2026: I asked her for the deposit money. She said again, "You wish to end the contract now?" I said yes. She said "what deposit money? the new tenant didn't give us any. You cheated". (Although new tenant actively pays rent). Afterwards her wifi got off, I sent her screenshots of messages that we had been talking about ending contract from so long that she had forgotten about it.
I called her husband (landlord), and he immediately blocked me on WhatsApp without even answering. 2 days later landlady seenzoned my WhatsApp messages.
Now I don't know what to do.
Someone also told me, that as police was involved, there were probably damages/charges, or key lock changed. But nothing like this happened that was communicated to me or the person living there. My landlady isn't the kind of person to let something like charges slide.
I know I did really shitty thing on the whole squatter situation that led me in this spot. But that still doesn't give the landlords rights to keep the money.
The agreement says it will finish itself on August 31, unless I continue to live there (I'm not there), and also it says in case of a legal case, if I lose, I will have to pay 3 rents (which I cant).
Someone advised me I shouldn't do anything and wait until October 31, as that's how long the landlords have time to pay me back.
I think a legal action will easily scare the landlords and they may pay. Just a legal letter. Also, the building is absolutely garbage, (probably fire hazard too), and has worst energy rating (E).
Please give me sincere advice! I can pay a little bit to deal with the situation, but I can't pay something like 200-400 euros to hire a lawyer. But maybe if I know for certain I'd get the money then I'd think about it.
Moving to Brussels this October for a graduate job at a large vehicle manufacturer based in Zaventem, coming from the Netherlands (EU citizen, single). The company gives relocation help to find a place, so I'm not stuck on the apartment-hunting side, but I'd really value input from people who actually live here on two things a relocation agent can't tell me honestly:
Thanks, trying to get a realistic picture from actual residents rather than just the numbers on paper.
Ik ben als volwassene (op mijn 27ste) in 2024 afgestudeerd aan de Arteveldehogeschool met een graduaat accounting administration. Deze heb ik voltijds kunnen volgen (zonder te combineren met werk) met behulp van VDAB knelpuntberoep.
Ik werk voltijds in een klein accountantskantoor.
Ik twijfel nu wat de beste stap is voor de toekomst. Zou ik nog voor de bachelor accountancy-fiscaliteit gaan? Dit is een verkort traject van nog +- 90 studiepunten (dus minimum 4 jaar gecombineerd met mijn job om de combinatie mogelijk te houden) en is te volgen via afstandsonderwijs (dus wel veel zelfstudie). Ik zal voltijds moeten blijven werken. Dus dat is dan 40 uren werken (en tijdens sommige drukke periodes meer) en dan nog eens 10-15 uur per week studeren minimum en dit voor minimum 4 jaar. Ik ben bang dat dit te zwaar gaat zijn.
Ik weet alleen dat de ITAA titel blijkbaar ook heel belangrijk is binnen een accountantskantoor, maar op deze moment weet ik nog niet of ik deze ooit wil behalen. Het is namelijk helemaal niet makkelijk om deze te behalen en er zijn er veel die afhaken omwille van de moeilijkheidsgraad.
In het kantoor waar ik nu werk maken ze geen verschil in takenpakket of loon tussen graduaat en bachelor.
Ik weet dat andere kantoren wel vaak een verschil maken.
Ik ben ook niet van plan om na het behalen van dit diploma te veranderen van werkgever. Wil graag blijven werken waar ik nu werk.
Ik heb nu nog geen kinderen, maar wil binnen een paar jaar wel graag kinderen (voor zover je dat kan plannen), maar wel iets om rekening mee te houden.
Zouden jullie dit wel of niet doen?
Hi everyone,
I’m currently studying a higher vocational degree in System & Network Administration in Belgium, and I’m curious about the experiences of people who work in IT.
After graduating, I’ll probably start as an IT support/IT administrator, system administrator, or something similar.
During my studies, I’m learning about:
System administration
Network administration
Microsoft 365 / Azure
Windows Server
Linux Server
Servers and virtualization
IT infrastructure
Cisco/networking
I’m mainly wondering what I can realistically expect in terms of gross and net salary after graduating.
For those working in Belgium:
What was your starting salary after graduation?
How much experience did you have?
What do you earn now after 3, 5, or 10 years?
Which IT roles would you recommend if my goal is to increase my salary over time?
I’m mainly interested in realistic experiences from Belgium, preferably from people working in or around Limburg/Hasselt.
Thanks!
I’m Gilles a 21M from Belgium and this is my update post to my search for travel friends!
(PS i speak fluent Dutch but i noticed almost all posts here are in English so yea you can contact me both in Dutch or English)
Hi again! This is an update to my previous post about looking for a travel buddy for Japan.
I’ve also changed my plans slightly regarding the number of people. I’m now open to travelling with more than just one other person, and ideally I’d like to have a group of around 4 people for a big group. (but ofcourse with 2 is still fine by me)
The main reason is that I think a slightly bigger group could make the trip more comfortable and fun. For example, during activities where people normally pair up, I’d rather have an even-numbered group so nobody has to worry about ending up alone or having to walk around by themselves.
A bit about the kind of trip I’m looking for
I’m not looking for a party holiday. I’m much more interested in experiencing traditional Japan and its history than spending every night in clubs or focusing only on the big modern cities.
I’m especially interested in:
🏯 Japanese history and samurai
⛩️ Shrines and temples
🏰 Castles and historic sites
🏘️ Old towns and traditional areas
📍 Places like Aizu
🍜 Japanese food and izakayas
📸 Photography
🥾 Hiking and exploring
🇯🇵 Generally taking our time and experiencing the culture rather than rushing through everything
Anime is cool and I enjoy it, but I’m not interested in the NSFW side of it.
I’m also happy to grab a drink at an izakaya or bar, but clubbing isn’t really my thing.
💰 Budget
I still don’t have a fixed budget. I want to travel comfortably, but I’m not looking to spend €4,000–€5,000 unless there’s a really good reason.
I’d rather find a good balance between seeing as much as possible, travelling comfortably, and keeping costs reasonable.
🌍 Where you’re from
I’m from Belgium and I’m 21M.
Ideally, I’d prefer people from Europe or neighbouring countries. The main reason is that I’d really like to meet up with potential travel buddies IRL a few times before the trip. I think that’s important when you’re going to spend two weeks travelling together.
It would also make communication and planning easier. Large time-zone differences can make it difficult to find convenient times for video calls and discussions.
However, this is absolutely not a requirement. I’m still open to people from outside Europe. If we get along and can communicate well through video calls beforehand, I’m happy to consider it.
The main things I’m looking for are people around 18–25, who speak English, have a similar idea of what they want from the trip, and who I genuinely get along with.
🤝 Getting to know each other first
I definitely don’t want to meet someone online and immediately book a two-week trip together.
I’d like us to have a few video calls beforehand and, if possible, meet up in person a few times before the trip. That way we can get to know each other, see whether our personalities and travel styles are compatible, and plan the trip together.
I think travelling with the right people is just as important as the itinerary itself.
So if you’re 18–25, speak English and or dutch, and are interested in this kind of Japan trip from September 1st–14th, 2027, feel free to send me a DM!
Tell me a little about yourself, where you’re from, and what you’d like to see or do in Japan. 🇯🇵
​
Ik ben de afgelopen jaren meerdere keren bij interimkantoren in België geweest, maar eerlijk gezegd begin ik er behoorlijk moedeloos van te worden.
Ze bellen me soms elke ochtend op wanneer ik werk zoek. Op den duur ben ik zelfs gestopt met opnemen, omdat ik het gevoel krijg dat het toch nergens toe leidt.
Het frustrerende is vooral dat ze je tijdens een gesprek soms heel enthousiast maken: “Je profiel past perfect bij deze vacature”, “We gaan je voorstellen aan de werkgever”, enzovoort. Ze zeggen dan ook effectief dat ze mijn profiel/cv gaan doorsturen naar het bedrijf. Maar daarna hoor ik vaak helemaal niets meer. Geen gesprek, geen feedback, soms zelfs geen duidelijke afwijzing.
Ik heb in al die jaren misschien maar 2 à 3 keer effectief via een interimkantoor gewerkt. De andere keren ben ik vaak maanden of zelfs jaren afgewezen.
Wat ik ook opmerk: ik zie hier soms posts van mensen die vertellen dat ze een paar maanden via een interimkantoor werken en daarna opnieuw een andere opdracht krijgen. Bij mij gebeurt dat bijna nooit. Meestal blijft het bij telefoontjes, gesprekken, “je past goed bij het profiel”, ze stellen me voor aan de werkgever en daarna hoor ik niets meer.
Daarom vraag ik me soms af hoe die telefoontjes precies werken. Bellen interimkantoren je echt omdat ze op dat moment een concrete vacature hebben waarvoor ze jou willen voorstellen, of bellen ze soms ook gewoon om kandidaten in hun bestand te hebben voor mogelijke vacatures?
En als ze zeggen dat ze mij effectief voorstellen aan een werkgever, maar ik daarna niets meer hoor: komt mijn cv dan daadwerkelijk bij die werkgever terecht? Of kan het ook zijn dat het bedrijf uiteindelijk niet verdergaat met de vacature of iemand anders kiest zonder dat het interimkantoor daar veel over communiceert?
Ik wil absoluut niemand beschuldigen. Ik probeer gewoon te begrijpen hoe dit systeem werkt, omdat ik na zoveel afwijzingen soms begin te twijfelen aan mezelf.
Ik vraag me daarom ook af: zal ik nog blijven proberen via interimkantoren, of kan ik beter vooral rechtstreeks bij werkgevers solliciteren?
Zijn er hier mensen die jarenlang dezelfde ervaring hebben gehad? Of mensen die juist heel goede ervaringen hebben met interim en er regelmatig opdrachten via krijgen?
Benieuwd naar jullie ervaringen.
Hey, my dad received a call from a recruiter for a manager role experienced with mainframe at big institution in Brussels. He worked more than 35 years in banking sector from kbc to fortis, and he never worked as free lancer, so I would love to know from experts if there is any how much he should ask as daily rate.
Je vais commencer pharmacie en Belgique et j’hésite entre Namur et Mons.
Mon gros critère est surtout la vie sociale : me faire des amis, sortir, rencontrer du monde et avoir une vraie ambiance étudiante.
J’ai passé cette année à Reims et honnêtement, j’ai eu beaucoup de mal à me faire des amis et j’ai trouvé l’ambiance vraiment morte. J’aimerais donc éviter de revivre la même expérience.
Pour ceux qui connaissent les deux villes/unis, vous diriez laquelle est la meilleure pour se faire des amis et avoir une bonne vie étudiante, notamment en pharmacie ?
Hello,
My F card expires in some months and i want to apply directly for the Belgian nationality as i have all the conditions for it.
My question is. Should i apply for both F+ and the nationality in the same time ? Or first another F, then F+ then the nationality.
Knowing that i live in a flamish commune.
And how long the procedure takes from the expiration of my F till the nationality.
Thank you in advance.
If anyone has a code for a reduction on the google store, pls dm me, thanks in advance!
Hallo,
Ik heb onlangs een appartement gekocht. Ik woon er nog niet in, de uittredende bewoners vertrekken halverwege september. Ik vermoed dat mijn verhuis grotendeels in oktober zal gebeuren.
Het is een EPC waarde A-appartement gebouwd in 2021. Zowat een nieuwbouw. Het heeft van die slimme conteurs van Fluvius voor gas en elektriciteit. Water is via De Watergroep.
Dit is de eerste keer dat ik verhuis. (Ik woon nog bij mijn vader.) Dus er is de mogelijkheid dat ik iets over het hoofd zie qua administratie. Ik ben niet helemaal zeker wat ik moet doen voor energie en water.
Ik zal dus nog moeten kijken voor een gas + elektriciteitscontract en voor een contract voor water (bij De watergroep).
Hoe moet ik dit doen? Ik ben nog geen gekende klant daar. Moet ik gewoon een energieleverancier zoeken en daar online zaken ingeven en een contract kiezen? Gaat dat dan allemaal automatisch? Wat voor zaken moet ik doorgeven?
De meterstand weet ik niet maar voor gas+elektriciteit is dat niet nodig door die slimme conteurs denk ik.
(en eigenlijk moet ik ook nog kijken voor Telenet voor internet+tv).
Iemand tips of een stappenplan?
Moet ik de contracten afsluiten voor of na ik de sleutel krijg?
thx
I met a man from Belgium online and we talked for five hours about Red Dead, Scary movies, and he even sang to me. My service went out though and I disconnected from him and lost him. I’ve never really posted on Reddit before, are their pages the Belgians use so I could broaden my reach so maybe if the stars align he would see my post and reach out to me? Sorry if I’m being delusional, he was just an honestly great person. It would suck to just let him disappear into the internet without even trying to see if there are other places I could maybe reach him.