🇧🇪map Belgium [Overview]

Belgium, known as België in Dutch, sits at the crossroads of Western Europe, bordered by France, the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, and the North Sea. This compact country punches well above its weight, with a population of roughly 11.8 million and a capital, Brussels, that doubles as a major European decision-making center. Distances are short, trains are frequent, and you can cross from medieval market towns to seaside dunes in a single afternoon. A fun quirk of daily life along the coast is the Kusttram, a tram line that runs the full length of the Belgian shoreline, making beach hopping surprisingly easy.

Belgium is famously multilingual, and that shapes everything from signage to social life. Northern Flanders is largely Dutch-speaking, southern Wallonia is French-speaking, and there’s a small German-speaking community in the east. Brussels is officially bilingual in French and Dutch, and English is widely understood in business and hospitality. For a traveler or remote worker, the result is seamless navigation, a deep bench of international services, and a culture that’s used to welcoming outsiders.

Economy

Belgium’s economy leans heavily toward services, with strong clusters in logistics, finance, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and food processing. Antwerp’s port—one of Europe’s busiest—anchors global trade and fuels related sectors like petrochemicals and the storied diamond industry. Manufacturing still matters, especially in advanced materials and life sciences, while Flanders’ agrifood scene is known for high-quality produce and specialty foods. The country is light on natural resources, so it thrives on know-how, efficient infrastructure, and a multilingual workforce.

Belgium is deeply plugged into European and global networks. It’s a member of the European Union, Eurozone, Schengen Area, NATO, OECD, and WTO, which translates into open borders, easy market access, and strong legal and regulatory alignment. High-speed rail links Brussels to Paris, London, Amsterdam, and Cologne, and multiple international airports keep travel straightforward. For expatriates, this connectivity, plus reliable digital infrastructure, makes Belgium a practical base for regional work or remote roles with global teams.

Culture

Daily life flows across three official languages: Dutch, French, and German. Most residents identify with either the Flemish (Dutch-speaking) or Walloon (French-speaking) communities, with Brussels bridging both worlds. Belgium’s story stretches from medieval trading cities in the Low Countries, through periods of Spanish and Austrian rule, to independence in 1830 and a modern federal system designed to balance its regions. The result is a layered cultural identity that values compromise, craftsmanship, and conviviality.

Belgians care deeply about good food and drink—think fries, waffles, chocolate, and a beer tradition renowned for variety and monastic heritage. Cycling is a passion, especially during spring classics like the Tour of Flanders, and football loyalties run strong with the Red Devils. The country remains historically Roman Catholic, though practice has declined in recent decades; many people now identify as non-religious, and Muslim communities are an important part of urban life. If you’re in town for celebrations, watch for Belgian National Day on 21 July, the Carnival of Binche with its UNESCO-listed traditions, Brussels’ Ommegang pageant in summer, and the lively Gentse Feesten, which turns Ghent into a citywide festival.

Liam
Liam is an international business advisor and expatriate consultant originally from Dublin, Ireland, with over 16 years of experience in European, Middle Eastern, and Asia-Pacific markets. Having worked for major global consulting firms and managed corporate relocations across the UK, Ireland, UAE, and Oceania, Liam has extensive experience helping professionals navigate international assignments in English-speaking markets and key business hubs. His background includes facilitating moves for both European professionals expanding globally and international talent relocating to the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and the Gulf region.