How Danes can find work in Belgium: a practical guide for relocation

Belgium is convenient for Danish residents due to its career opportunities and high standard of living. Employment in this country allows not only to strengthen financial stability, but also to get acquainted with a unique culture. However, finding a job abroad requires preparation and knowledge of local rules. In this article, we will analyze the key stages that will help Danes successfully find a job and adapt to Belgium.

The Labor Market in Belgium

The Belgian labour market has its own characteristics that differ from the Danish system. There is a strong focus on the balance between professional and personal life, as well as social protection for workers. The level of taxes and bureaucratic requirements may seem higher, but at the same time Belgium offers many career opportunities in international companies. Thanks to their knowledge of several languages, Danes can find themselves in various fields of work for foreigners in Belgium.

Popular industries for employment:

1. IT and technologies:
   • In-demand specialists: developers, data engineers, cybersecurity
   • Main companies: Proximus, SAP Belgium
   • Average salary: 4000–5000 euros per month
2. Finance and accounting:
   • Roles: analysts, auditors, financial consultants
   • International banks and insurance companies
   • Career Opportunities in Brussels
3. Healthcare and Biotechnology:
   • Demand for doctors, nurses and scientists
   • Biomedical centres in Leuven and Ghent
   • Support programs for foreigners
4. Education:
   • Work in international schools and universities
   • Teachers of English, Danish and other languages
   • Average salary: 3000 euros per month
5. Construction and engineering:
   • Sustainable construction and infrastructure projects
   • In-demand specialists: architects, engineers, technicians
   • Constant demand in cities such as Antwerp
6. Tourism and hotel business:
   • Jobs in hotels, restaurants and travel companies
   • Knowing several languages is the key to success
   • Flexible schedule and seasonal work

The Belgian labour market offers Danes opportunities in a wide range of industries. With the growing number of international companies and the country’s globalisation, the demand for skilled workers is only increasing. With high living standards and social security, Belgium is becoming an attractive place to build a career. Danes with language skills and work experience can find many interesting opportunities.

Find out more about Ghent schools in this article.

Interesting fact: Belgium has three official languages: French, Dutch and German, and knowing at least one of them significantly improves your chances of finding a job.

Job Search in Belgium for Danes

Job search in Belgium for Danish residents requires careful preparation, starting with a resume and cover letter. Both documents must be adapted to the requirements of employers and meet European standards. Particular attention should be paid to brevity, structure and indication of key skills. A good resume and cover letter significantly increase the chances of attracting the attention of employers.

Ways to find a job:

1. VDAB (Flemish Employment Service)
   • Address: Keizerslaan 11, 1000 Brussels
   • Website: www.vdab.be
   • Phone: +32 2 506 15 11
   • Services: free consultations, assistance in finding vacancies, advanced training courses
2. Actiris (Brussels Employment Service)
   • Address: Boulevard de l’Empereur 1, 1000 Brussels
   • Website: www.actiris.be
   • Phone: +32 800 123 45
   • Services: free vacancies, help with resume writing and courses for job seekers
3. FOREM (Walloon Employment Service)
   • Address: Rue de l’Ecluse 10, 6000 Charleroi
   • Website: www.leforem.be
   • Phone: +32 71 23 31 11
   • Services: consultations, internship programs, access to the vacancy database
4. EURES (European Employment Network)
   • Address: Available online via website
   • Website: www.eures.europa.eu
   • Phone: +32 2 299 1111
   • Services: assistance in finding a job in the EU, including Belgium
5. Private recruitment agencies
   • Examples: Randstad, Adecco, Manpower
   • Cost: depending on the services, in most cases free for applicants
   • Services: job search, internships, temporary employment

Danes can also take advantage of alternative ways to find employment. Networking, participation in job fairs and cooperation with universities open up additional opportunities. Social networks such as LinkedIn also play an important role in finding vacancies. By showing initiative and creativity, it is possible to find suitable work even in non-standard conditions.

Want to enroll in Ghent’s institutes? Read about it in our article.

Tip: Knowing the local languages (French, Dutch or German) increases your chances of finding a job in Belgium by 70 percent.

The process of paperwork

For Danish residents, the process of applying for documents in Belgium begins with preparing the necessary certificates and supporting documents. This includes a passport, certificates of marital status, and proof of residence. It is important to study local requirements in advance and make an appointment with the relevant authorities. This will help avoid delays and simplify adaptation to a new country.

Stages of registration with local authorities:

1. Registration with the municipality (Commune / Gemeente):
   • Title: Administration of your district
   • Address: Depending on the region (e.g. in Brussels – Boulevard Anspach 6, 1000 Brussels)
   • Website: www.brussels.be
   • Phone: +32 2 279 22 11
   • Description: Apply for temporary registration within the first 8 days of arrival.
2. Obtaining a residence permit:
   • Name: Immigration Service (Office des)​
   • Address: Chaussee d’Anvers 59B, 1000 Brussels
   • Website: www.dofi.fgov.be
   • Phone: +32 2 793 80 00
   • Description: The application is submitted after registration with the municipality.
3. Opening a bank account:
   • Name: Any local bank (e.g. BNP Paribas, ING Belgium)
   • Address: Depends on the branch
   • Website: www.bnpparibasfortis.be
   • Phone: +32 2 762 20 00
   • Description: Necessary to receive wages and pay bills.
4. Registration with the tax service:
   • Name: Federal Tax Service (SPF Finances)
   • Address: Rue de la Loi 24, 1000 Brussels
   • Website: www.finance.belgium.be
   • Phone: +32 2 572 57 57
   • Description: Registration is mandatory for everyone working in Belgium.

It can take from several weeks to several months to process all the necessary documents. Failure to comply with the registration timeframes may result in fines or refusal to further extend the residence permit. Therefore, it is important to follow the established deadlines and submit applications on time. Danes planning a long-term stay should prepare the originals and copies of all documents in advance.

Read interesting facts about Ghent attractions.

Important: In Belgium, you can obtain an electronic residence permit, which speeds up access to public services and simplifies the application process.

Working conditions and salaries

Working conditions in Belgium are regulated by strict labor laws that protect the rights of employees. Employers are required to ensure safety in the workplace, pay sick leave, and provide paid leave. Particular attention is paid to equal pay and social guarantees. You can familiarize yourself with the legislative framework on the official websites: Belgian Federal Public Service Employment (www.belgium.be ) and the European Commission (ec.europa.eu). This will give you an idea of the working conditions in Belgium.

table for Danes and Belgians (average monthly salaries before taxes):

Employees in Belgium have the right to fair wages, holiday pay, and protection in the event of dismissal. Employers are required to comply with safety standards and provide conditions for professional growth. The employee, in turn, is obliged to perform work duties in accordance with the contract. For Danes, knowledge of one of the official languages of Belgium will be an additional advantage in the professional environment. This will also help to open a business in Belgium.

Read more about interesting facts about Ghent.

Interesting fact: Belgium is one of the few EU countries where a 38-hour working week is officially established.

How to triple your life in Belgium for Danes

The housing market in Belgium offers a variety of options for both renting and buying. Renting an apartment or house depends on the region: in Brussels, prices are higher than in smaller cities. The average rent for a one-room apartment is around 700-1000 euros per month. When buying a home, you should take into account taxes and fees, which in Belgium can amount to up to 15% of the property value. Useful resources: Immoweb.be, Logic-immo.be.

The education system in Belgium offers both public and private institutions. Public kindergartens and schools are free, but parents should consider the language environment of the region (Flemish, French or German). Private schools provide education in international languages, including English, but tuition fees can reach 20,000 euros per year. It is better to apply early due to high demand.

Belgium has one of the best healthcare systems in Europe. Taking out health insurance is a mandatory step for all residents. Basic insurance covers basic medical services, while additional insurance allows you to reduce the cost of dentistry and other specialized services. To choose a doctor or hospital, we recommend using the website mutualites.be.