Here is a selection of useful contacts to facilitate your settlement and your daily life in Belgium. This list covers the main public services, emergencies, banks, operators, and reference organizations.
Foreigners in Belgium
The procedures for expatriates and foreign nationals are managed by the Federal Public Service Interior. The Immigration Office is the main point of reference for all questions related to residence, immigration, and residency permits in Belgium.
Immigration Office - FPS Interior
Bd Pachéco 44
1000 Brussels
Tel: 32 02 488 80 00
Website: Immigration Office
Education in Belgium
The Belgian educational system is organized by community (French, Flemish, and German-speaking). Each community manages its own schools. Here are some useful links to learn more about education in Belgium.
Useful Links – French-speaking Schools in Belgium (Wallonia and Brussels)
Education in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation
Onderwijs Vlaanderen (Education in Flanders)Education in the German-speaking Community
Water suppliers in Belgium
In Belgium, water distribution depends on your region. Here are the main suppliers:
- SWDE: Société Wallonne des Eaux (Wallonia);
- Vivaqua: Brussels;
- Water Link: Antwerp and surroundings;
- CILE: Liège.
Electricity in Belgium
In Belgium, electricity supply is organized at the regional level (Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels). You will need to choose a supplier from the accredited operators and be connected to a distribution network operator (DNO), according to your address.
- Ecopower: renewable energy cooperative;
- Engie: main national supplier;
- Luminus: second largest market player;
- Eneco: green energy;
- Octa+: electricity and fuel;
- Mega: 100% Belgian supplier.
Network operators (depending on the region):
Telephone in Belgium
Belgium has an open telecom market, with several operators offering landline, mobile, and internet services:
- Proximus: historical operator (landline, mobile, internet, TV);
- Orange Belgium: mobile, internet, TV;
- Telenet: mainly active in Flanders and Brussels (internet, TV, mobile);
- BASE: mobile only (subsidiary of Telenet);
- Scarlet: low-cost subsidiary of Proximus;
- VOO: mainly active in Wallonia and Brussels (internet, TV, mobile).
Belgian telephone directory: Golden Pages
European telephone directory: Infobel
Postal service in Belgium
The Belgian postal service is provided by Bpost, the historical operator. It offers:
- Sending letters and parcels within Belgium and internationally;
- Basic financial services;
- As well as digital solutions (online tracking, eBox).
You can find more information, calculate your rates, and track your shipments at: bpost.be.
Banks in Belgium
Belgium offers a wide range of banks, from large groups to cooperative banks. Among the most well-known are:
- BNP Paribas Fortis;
- KBC / CBC (Flanders and Wallonia);
- Belfius;
- ING Belgium;
- Argenta;
- Crelan;
- CPH (cooperative, mainly in Wallonia).
All banks today offer online services and mobile apps that allow you to open an account, manage payments, and access loans or insurance.
Healthcare in Belgium
The Belgian healthcare system is recognized as one of the best in Europe. It is based on a mandatory insurance system through mutual societies (insurance organizations), possibly supplemented by private insurance.
Some useful contacts:
- Doctor Belgium: online directory to search for a doctor by specialty and region
- INAMI (National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance): public body that regulates the healthcare system.
- On-call doctor: dial 1733 (single number for all of Belgium).
- Poison Control Center: +32 70 245 245 (24/7).
- Medical emergencies: dial 112.
- Zorg en Gezondheid (health authority in Flanders).
- FPS Public Health: official information for all of Belgium.
Regional websites in Belgium
Each region has its official portal that centralizes administrative and practical information for citizens and newcomers:
Wallonia: Public services, social aid, employment, mobility, housing.
Flemish Authority: Administrative procedures, health, taxation, education.
Brussels: Practical information for residents of the Brussels-Capital Region.
Safety and emergency in Belgium
In Belgium, several important numbers are available in case of emergency or to quickly get help:
- 112: single emergency number (medical, fire, police): free and accessible throughout Europe.
- 101: police (direct line, always active but secondary to 112).
- 1733: on-call general practitioner outside consultation hours.
- Poison Control Center: +32 (0)70 245 245: available 24/7.
National telephone inquiries:
- 1207 (Dutch)
- 1307 (French).
For added safety, you can download the free “112 BE” app. It allows you to call emergency services and automatically sends your location to emergency responders.
Useful online resources:
Tourism in Belgium
Belgium attracts millions of visitors each year thanks to its historic cities, gastronomy, and numerous festivals. To plan your visits and discover local attractions, several official sites are available:
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
