Move to Brussels with clear, personal guidance from day one

For most UK arrivals it takes around six to eight weeks from landing to feeling properly settled. You need to register at your local commune within eight working days of arrival, which starts your residence permit process, and approval typically follows a few weeks later. Since Brexit, UK nationals are treated as third-country nationals: you can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, but a longer stay needs a residence permit, so it is worth planning the paperwork before you travel if you are moving rather than just visiting (belgium.be, gov.uk).

Not on day one. Belgian banks usually ask for a local address and a National Registry Number, which you only get after commune registration, so many people bridge the gap with a digital account such as Wise or Revolut. Once you are registered and settled, opening a Belgian current account makes paying rent, utilities and everyday bills noticeably easier (Commissioner Brussels).

Yes, to begin with. A valid UK licence lets you drive in Belgium straight away, but once you have been officially resident for more than 185 days you are required to exchange it for a Belgian one at your commune. Because the UK is on Belgium's recognised list, this is a straightforward paperwork exchange with no theory or practical test needed (City of Brussels).

Yes, health insurance is compulsory for every resident. Shortly after registering at your commune you join a health insurance fund, known locally as a mutuelle or ziekenfonds, which reimburses a large share of your medical costs. It is worth having some interim cover in place for the weeks before your Belgian registration and fund membership are finalised (gov.uk).

There is no formal credit-check or guarantor system like in the UK. Landlords generally ask for proof of ID, evidence of income or an employment contract, and a deposit — usually two to three months' rent, held in a blocked account for the length of the lease. Standard leases run for three years, though shorter furnished lets are widely available if you want a lower-commitment landing spot while you look properly (Morton Place).

For most people, yes, mainly because of rent. Numbeo data puts overall living costs in Brussels roughly 17 to 32% lower than London once rent is included, with rents alone running about 55% lower. Everyday costs like groceries, transport and eating out tend to land close to UK levels rather than dramatically cheaper (Numbeo).