Business immigration to Belgium: main nuances

Pros and cons of moving to Belgium for permanent residence

After numerous immigration refusals in Germany, France, Italy, Russian-speaking emigrants began to look closely at less popular European countries. This number also includes the Kingdom of Belgium, which borders Luxembourg, Germany, the Netherlands and France.

Pros of moving

Pros of moving to Belgium:

1. High quality of life, social security, pension security.
2. Medicine and education system are of a very high level.
3. Dual citizenship is allowed.
4. Short deadlines for naturalization in the country are possible.
5. Acceptable conditions for doing business.

Cons of moving

The disadvantages include:

1. Expensive real estate, gasoline, utilities.
2. A large number of taxes.
3. The trend is to increase the retirement age to 67 years.
4. Lack of sunny days, mostly cloudy.
5. The attitude towards immigrants is not the friendliest.

Ways to emigrate to Belgium from Russia in 2021

Today, different groups of the population from Russia and Ukraine are looking at living conditions in Europe. Our people want to feel protected and have the right to free views and decisions. Europe in this sense reflects total freedom, discipline, education, culture, dominance, erased borders - this is exactly what our compatriots strive for. It should be noted right away that not only residents from the CIS want to move to the Kingdom, but also citizens from Greece, Turkey and Morocco use different methods to move. According to statistics, about 300 thousand citizens from these countries live in the districts of Wallonia and Flanders.

To move to Belgium, you should take into account the list of programs under which foreigners can acquire temporary resident status and then citizenship. Often this is:

1. Issuance of a residence permit to a foreign spouse.
2. Student residence permit.
3. Long-term employment.
4. Implementation of a business project in the country.
5. Participation in the Au Pair program.
6. Registration of a blue card/Blue Card.
7. Request for political asylum.

Issuing a residence permit to a foreign spouse

It's no secret that the demographics in Europe are improving due to newcomers. The indigenous people themselves do not strive to start families before the age of 30; moreover, this period is gradually extended to 40 years. The authorities are forced to take measures, so they give residence permits to foreign spouses without any censure. This is the fastest way to emigrate. Observing the trend of mixed marriages, marriages of Belgians with girls from Southeast Asia are gaining popularity. On the street you often meet married couples of Europeans with Filipinas, Thais, and Indonesians. Marriages with Slavic women are not excluded. European feminism leads to this situation - local women devote less time to family than to career and self-development, so men, when going on vacation to Southeast Asia, find a companion.

The tolerance of the Belgians is expressed in the recognition of cohabitation - there is no need to legalize the relationship. It is enough to provide evidence that the couple has been living together for 6 months and the residence permit status will be issued. This is possible if you have some kind of status in the country, for example, study or work. Otherwise, a marriage certificate will be required.

To purchase a residence permit for a foreign spouse, you must contact the Russian Embassy or the Belgian Migration Department. You need to have with you:

• completed application form;
• color photos in the required size and quantity;
• foreign passport, also residence passport or other ID;
• marriage certificate or partnership confirmation;
• certificate of absence of offenses;
• required information for a Belgian spouse or Belgian spouse.

If the residence permit is made in the native state, then upon arrival in Belgium the foreigner/foreigner is required to undergo identification at the administrative office of the city where they are going to live. The period for checking all certificates and agreeing with the authorities takes 2-4 weeks. The procedure for obtaining a residence permit also includes the production of an ID card. On average, a residence permit will cost €200-800. It is issued for one year, then it must be renewed.

Student residence permit

You can go to Belgium through education - this method is suitable for those who need a bachelor's or master's degree of the European standard. Obviously, it is cheaper to study at a Belgian university than in the USA, Canada or Australia. So in one year you will spend from €800-4500 plus monthly expenses of €600 and a one-time registration fee of €800.

The Belgian education system is supervised by the Flemish and French Communities. Depending on the area where the university is located. Under their patronage are higher professional and academic education, as well as the Academy of Arts. Local education is valued in the Eurozone, and it is of great importance in the country itself, where about 98% of the population is literate. In addition, the most innovative methods of studying all disciplines prevail here.

Work in Belgium

Obtaining a work permit in the country is very difficult.

A foreign citizen will have to go through a rather difficult path and face a whole “artillery” of bureaucratic obstacles. H

Often things work out in such a way that obtaining a work permit is delayed for several months. It is quite logical that the employer will not wait long for an immigrant employee, even if he is really needed (there will always be a replacement).

The situation is much simpler with foreign companies that operate on the territory of the state. In such companies, the employment process is not so bureaucratically complicated.

In general, a foreign worker can obtain a work permit in one of three categories:

1) Category A. Here the immigrant has the right to choose who to get a job with. However, there are no restrictions on the validity period of the permit document;

2) Category B. An immigrant with this type of permit has the right to work for a specific employer. However, the validity period is limited - no more than a year;

3) Category C. In this case, the immigrant has the opportunity to work simultaneously in several companies. Getting this kind of “good” is the most difficult thing.

There is also a type of permit called a “professional card”.

Such a permit is provided to self-sufficient immigrant workers who do not need employers - they themselves are able to conduct activities in the country. Professional photographers, lawyers, doctors, and artists can count on such a card. The card issuance period is five years. In this case, the immigrant must carry out the activity that was chosen from the very beginning.

The process of obtaining a residence permit in Belgium

Russians who want to move to a residence permit must be prepared for a thorough check by the Belgian Embassy. You will need to convince the Consul with all documents that you are a law-abiding citizen and financially wealthy. For those who immigrate through employment, it is important to indicate all your experience and confirm all your words with diplomas and letters of recommendation. Taking into account the previous methods of emigration, a rentier program with a visitor visa should be added. According to the conditions, a foreigner with funds in the amount of €20,000 can move to Belgium for one year. This is a kind of residence permit in Belgium for financially independent persons.

Documents for residence permit

A potential immigrant applies for a residence permit in Russia or in Brussels (another city at his location). The Migration Department will request:

• a valid international passport, copies of passports and all expired visas;
• copy of residence passport;
• photo size 5*5 cm, 2 pcs.;
• a completed special form for obtaining a residence permit;
• health insurance with a minimum coverage amount of €30,000;
• rental contract;
• diplomas, certificates to confirm education;
• financial certificates;
• information about marital status.

Receipt cost

For categories of obtaining a residence permit, different prices are set. On average, the cost of a temporary resident ID card is €200-2000. Entrepreneurs and investors may have additional expenses; they most often go through the process with lawyers who are paid for professional services.

Deadline for obtaining a residence permit

The decision to issue a residence permit is made within 1-3 months; if approved, the citizen of the Russian Federation acquires the status of temporary resident; if refused, he must leave the country.

Validity period of the residence permit

Temporary resident status is issued for a year, then renewed 3-4 times. If you are not planning to move, then an unlimited number of times.

Residence permit in Belgium

A Belgian residence permit, which promises the opportunity to settle in one of the most developed European countries, is the longed-for dream of many. And this is quite justified, since having a residence permit in the Kingdom of Belgium is an opportunity:

• travel without obtaining a visa within the territory of member states of the Schengen zone;
• avoid double taxation;
• have dual citizenship;
• obtain permanent residence in this country within three years;
• to be naturalized after seven years of residence on the territory of the Kingdom, followed in fact by the automatic acquisition of Belgian citizenship (namely citizenship, since there are no citizens in Belgium - this country is a monarchy).

Belgium, like other Benelux countries - the Netherlands and Luxembourg, has long enjoyed the reputation of one of the most comfortable countries in Europe for living. In addition, this country is rightfully considered the center of political life of the EU - the headquarters of the European Union itself and the North Atlantic Alliance are located here.

The capital of the country, Brussels, is a major financial, political and economic center of Western Europe. The next largest city in Belgium, Antwerp, is the largest port in Europe by turnover. The high economic development of this small country is manifested in the highest standard of living, social security and medical care.

Proof of the high standard of living in the kingdom, even among other EU countries, is the fact that of all persons applying for a Belgian residence permit, half are residents of other EU states.

Belgium is at the forefront of creating a visa-free Schengen zone, and its citizens can freely conduct business, live and travel throughout the EU. But, despite its high economic development, Belgium remains a country with fairly liberal migration laws. For example, you can submit a request for citizenship after five years of residence in the country. At the same time, such a period in many EU countries, even with a lower standard of living, is up to 10 or even 12 years.

What are the ways to acquire a residence permit in Belgium? They are quite traditional for Europe:

• employment;
• business - emigration;
• search for shelter.

One of the ways to find employment in Belgium is independent migration based on an agreement with an employer. It is a very difficult way to obtain a residence permit even for high professionals, since in this case a work permit in the country can only be obtained if there is a shortage of specialists in this profession on the domestic labor market.

There are three types of work permits in Belgium with further receipt of a residence permit:

• A - for employment with no time limit;
• B - for employment for one year with a specific employer without the possibility of extension;
• C - for one-year employment with the right to extend the permit period.

It is extremely difficult to obtain a class A employment permit, a category B document is usually issued, and this means the opportunity to work with only one employer, which, of course, is unattractive. The greatest chance, as practice shows, of finding a job and obtaining a residence permit in connection with this is for persons with the following professions: computer technology, engineering, doctors, drivers of heavy vehicles (truck drivers).

At the same time, there is one more nuance here - they can provide a job to a citizen of Russia (or another non-EU country) only if there are no applicants for this vacancy among EU citizens. That is, here the Russians are at a disadvantage compared to the same Romanians, Poles or Bulgarians.

There is another option for people in creative professions, lawyers, etc. - who can secure self-employment in Belgium using a professional card. But we should immediately warn that this path is very thorny for those who are superficially familiar with local legislation, because there are plenty of hidden obstacles on this path.

Opening your own business is another opportunity to settle in this country, but you need to take this idea absolutely seriously, because falsification like a fictitious company is impossible here. As an option, you can purchase a ready-made business in the kingdom.

In Belgium, meanwhile, there are strict conditions for business emigrants to obtain a residence permit:

• high authorized capital threshold of 18,500 euros;
• mandatory hiring of a director - an EU citizen with an annual salary of 30 thousand euros;
• mandatory creation of two jobs.

As you can see, the conditions are real only for a very specific strong business. Despite this, if you seriously decide to do business in the kingdom, you receive a bonus in the form of many benefits. Unlike other European countries, there are no taxes on the company’s capital, its growth and the increase in the value of the organization’s real estate. Well-drafted Belgian tax legislation completely eliminates double taxation, which significantly reduces the overall tax costs of businesses.

Studying at a university is also a motive for granting a residence permit. Moreover, to enter a university in the kingdom, it is enough to provide a bank statement confirming your wealth and a certificate from the Ministry of Internal Affairs about no criminal record, and also know one of the three languages ​​of instruction - English, Dutch or French.

The level of education provided at universities in Belgium is quite good and is highly rated in other European countries.

Seeking asylum can also be considered as an opportunity to obtain a residence permit in this European monarchy. To do this, however, you need to be patient in dealing with bureaucracy and living in a special refugee camp for six months. Well, first, the applicant for Belgian asylum will need to be able to convincingly prove to the official that there are no conditions for normal living in his homeland, that it was “extreme” necessity that forced him to seek asylum in this country. By the way, the benefit for refugees in the kingdom is 600 euros per person, i.e. about 50 thousand rubles per month at the rate at the beginning of 2021.

The motive for granting a residence permit in the form of a family connection, when one of the family members is a Belgian citizen, is essentially no different from a similar procedure in other EU countries.

Any of the options for obtaining a residence permit in Belgium is not easy, but if you have such a goal and perseverance in achieving it, success is quite real. And as an additional reward for perseverance, after 5 years you can submit an application for Belgian citizenship. In this case, there will be no need to part with Russian citizenship at all - the laws of the kingdom provide for dual citizenship.

How to obtain Belgian citizenship

Belgian citizenship can be obtained after 8-10 years of living in the status of a residence permit or permanent residence. Permanent residence is granted after 3-5 years of stay in the country. In a short time, legal spouses, investors, businessmen, and Blue Card holders can purchase a second passport.

To consider an application for citizenship, you need to collect a complete package of documents:

• confirming certificates of legal presence in the country;
• financial statements to prove solvency;
• written responses to requests regarding the absence of violations, fines, or unpaid taxes;
• receipt of payment of state duty up to €800.

Study in Belgium

Belgium is a special country in terms of education.

Almost any interested immigrant with the appropriate income can get an education in this country. However, there is no competitive selection for admission to a university.

The main thing (as mentioned above) is to confirm your financial capabilities using a special document - a certificate from the bank about the status of the account or a letter from the guarantor.

Another important point is proof of your own reliability. To do this, you must present certificates from the police of your country. You can’t do without a medical examination. In order to receive insurance in the future, you must obtain the appropriate rights from the consulate or embassy of Belgium.

It should be noted that some universities in Belgium force applicants to take special tests. At the same time, it will not be possible to enter a higher educational institution if the immigrant has not studied at least a year at an institute in his own country (alternatively, he can graduate from school in one of the states of the European Union).

Education at universities in Belgium is conducted in three main languages ​​- Flemish, English and French.

To enter an educational institution in the country, you must speak at least one of the above-mentioned languages. During the training process, the student receives the right to obtain an internship in large companies, the headquarters of which must be located in Belgium.

The main advantage for students studying in the country is the opportunity to travel in Europe and the opportunity to earn extra money.

Attitude of local residents towards emigrants from Russia

Due to the large number of immigrants arriving from developing countries, the Belgians have become less welcoming. They don’t admit it directly, but it’s obvious from their behavior. Often, immigrants in Europe are considered a separate segment of the population, and local residents treat them neutrally. In addition, the European mentality is quite closed, which characterizes them as very reserved. There are very few Russians in the country, so you have to find an approach to the locals and communicate with other foreigners.

Prices for main groups of goods

Before leaving Russia, take a closer look at prices in Brussels, Leuven, Ghent, and Antwerp. According to economic data, the cost of living without rental housing per person is €682. Here are the current prices for food products:

• vegetables: potatoes, onions, tomatoes per 1 kg from €1.30-2.28;
• fruits: bananas, oranges, apples per 1 kg from €1.75-1.93;
• white rice – €1.79;
• loaf of fresh bread – €1.70;
• Belgian cheese 1 kg – €12.44;
• chicken meat 1 kg for €9.11, beef for €14.98;
• chicken eggs 10 pieces – €1.95;
• dairy products from €0.90-1.80;
• distilled water for 1 liter – €5.96;
• European wine for 1 bottle – €7.05;
• Belgian beer 0.5 l – €1.42;
• cigarettes one pack – €6.04.

Fare:

• one way adult ticket – €2.22;
• monthly pass – €46.82;
• taxi fare for 1 km – €2.01;
• gasoline 1 liter – €1.32;
• the price of an economy class car is €22,150.

Housing costs:

• renting the first apartment in the center will cost €693.29;
• rent of 1st apartment in a residential area – €582.30;
• utilities – €128.95;
• mobile tariff for 1 minute – €0.20;
• internet – €40.03;
• apartment price 1 sq. m. in the center – €2922.18;
• apartment price 1 sq. m. in a residential area – €2387.41.

The entertainment budget includes:

• dinner in a restaurant for two – €60.41;
• a cup of cappuccino in a coffee shop – €2.66;
• Belgian fast food “frits” – €8.05;
• cinema ticket – €10.07;
• fitness club subscription – €26.22;
• tennis game, 1 hour – €15.30.

In-demand professions and salaries in Belgium for immigrants

You can leave for Belgium for various reasons, but for ordinary people the issue of employment remains important. If you have official status, you can apply for jobs in any industry with average salaries starting from €3,050. Of course, if you have qualifications, experience and knowledge of the language.

For those who are just learning the language, there is the opportunity to get low-profile jobs that pay €1,890 per month. In 2021, the minimum wage in Belgium remains €1,594. It is also worth noting the average pension of €13,750 per year and above, while the average life expectancy is 81 years.

To move and immediately find a job, you should familiarize yourself with the list of the most popular professions for immigrants:

Starting your own business

Another way is business immigration. Read about the pros and cons of business immigration in general here. In relation to Belgium, it can be noted that the laws here are quite strict: creating a purely fictitious company that exists on paper is almost impossible.

Theoretically, it is possible, but there are obstacles in the form of a high authorized capital (eighteen and a half thousand euros), the need to hire a highly paid manager (salary of about 30,000 euros per year), who is an EU citizen, and also to create 2 jobs.

That is, the conditions are quite normal for a truly more or less real and large business, but for those who simply want to go abroad at the company’s expense, this option is somehow very unsuitable.