Negotiating salary and benefits in Belgium

Reference:
Negotiating salary and benefits in Belgium.

By experience best when negotiating contract. Belgium has one of the best paid salaries and benefits.
With that said, Belgium possesses a high tax bracket. So in my opinion,
"Do negotiate" contract agreement,
for example:
Duragion of Contract, 13th month bonus, commission, holiday pay, sick pay, company car, meal checks, also important health and hospital  insurance, etc.
If in doubt, do hire an attorney to look over your contract. Any legal advice is extremely helpful. Specially since employment laws may be adjusted and amended such as overtime pay.
International and local companies, should give you the opportunity to negotiate.
They will certainly be fair and present an offer comparable to your job qualifications and experience and what the job offer/position entails.
Again, any legalities such as contracts should be revised by an attorney for best advice.
Do not forget you are in a foreign country.

Hello All,

With regards to your salary package, it is generally acceptable to negotiate, but this definitely it depends on the culture of your company.

Your gross and net will depend on the advantages you receive. Those can obviously be in kind and net of tax.
You can re-negotiate your salary on a yearly basis, or even more regularly if your company has such policies.

The basic advantages included in the typical Belgian salaries are: meal vouchers, transport subscription (half usually), phone subscription, work insurance, hospitalization insurance.
Other advantages include car, fuel card, insurance for other members of the family, net representation allowances.

When you are an expat, you can enjoy a preferential tax rate and other advantage, but as soon as you become a permanent resident, you lose this status.

The exchange rates do not impact your salary if your company pays you in Euros.

All in all, do try to negotiate. You might not get what you want, but you should give it a shot.

Also, it is important to look at a package in whole, and not only at the gross or net amounts. You have to bear in mind that you might have some other advantages which come into play.
And it is a good idea to consider the work environment you are going to work in. At the end of the day, you'll spend the main part of your day at work. It is NOT all about the money.

I hope this helped.

Best regards,

Kerry-Ann

Kerry-Ann201 wrote:

Hello All,

With regards to your salary package, it is generally acceptable to negotiate, but this definitely it depends on the culture of your company.

Also, it is important to look at a package in whole, and not only at the gross or net amounts. You have to bear in mind that you might have some other advantages which come into play.
And it is a good idea to consider the work environment you are going to work in. At the end of the day, you'll spend the main part of your day at work. It is NOT all about the money.

I hope this helped.

Best regards,

Kerry-Ann

Hello Kerry-Ann,

Nice analysis of the system. And realistic conclusion

Ibc24 wrote:

Reference:
Negotiating salary and benefits in Belgium.

Again, any legalities such as contracts should be revised by an attorney for best advice.
Do not forget you are in a foreign country.

Hello Ibc24,

Sorry to disappoint you but in Belgium we did not give in to American paranoia for using the lawyer.

The official Belgian rules for the engagement of a person are more than precise to do without the presence of a third person. And if there ever was a wrongdoing, the services of the labor inspectorate are more than effective.

Thanks!