Gathering information on changes in Belgium post-COVID-19 crisis

Hello everyone,

I hope you're all doing well in Belgium.

We are putting together an article on the post-crisis changes in Belgium for to-be expats or expats looking to get updates. And no one would be in a better position to provide us with, not only up-to-date information, but also practical expat insights on the situation in Belgium.

We've set up a list of questions we thought would be useful, would you be willing to help us out with these? If we have missed anything, please add any information you think might be relevant.

What are the current regulations for entering Belgium? (quarantine, health checks, fees involved…)

Have there been visa changes recently? (new visas, cancelled visas etc…)

Is it easy to find work in Belgium following the crisis? (working conditions for foreigners, quotas, new areas of work, incentives for remote working…)

How would you view the Belgian healthcare system in light of the crisis? (response to the COVID-19, how to get tested for COVID-19…)

Has anything changed regarding universities and schools? (safety for foreign students, changes regarding student visas or conditions…)

How is the real estate market following the crisis? (price, availability…)

Has the cost of living changed because of the crisis in Belgium?

How about lifestyle? Have there been major changes in habits following the sanitary crisis? (measures in public spaces, new habits to adopt…)

We will condense the gathered information in one and the same article and publish it in a specific section of our Belgium guide. Thank you so much for your help! The information you will provide will be of infinite help to someone looking to move to Belgium or to anyone living there but is not quite sure where to find these updates!

Have a glorious day and a glorious week-end!

Kind regards,
Veedushi
Editorial Assistant, Expat.com

Hello, here are some answers. However, I would also like to find somewhere a clarification what are 14 days of quarantine means in Belgium – how strict it is. Can you go to shop for food for example?

1. What are the current regulations for entering Belgium? (quarantine, health checks, fees involved…)

Travelers from third countries must take into account the health measures in force in Belgium, including a quarantine of 14 days. On the other hand, these travelers will have to complete a document before boarding. This completed document will be considered an entry condition. More information on this subject is available on the government's Corona website ( www.info-coronavirus.be/fr ).

2. Have there been visa changes recently? (new visas, cancelled visas etc…)
Belgium will not make a difference between the 14 countries mentioned above and the others. visa activity is limited  to 11 categories of travelers

Gradual "worldwide" restart of the introduction and processing of C and D visa applications and, where appropriate, issuance of visas,  for people with an essential function or need, among which:
•    health professionals, researchers in the health field and professionals in the care of the elderly;
•    border workers;
•    seasonal workers in the agricultural sector;
•    freight transport personnel and other persons working in the transport sector, as necessary and seafarers;
•    diplomats, personnel of international organizations, military personnel and humanitarian workers in the exercise of their functions;
•    passengers in transit;
•    people traveling for imperative family reasons;
•    [EU citizens, citizens of Schengen associated states and third country nationals who are legally resident in the EU], as well as their family members who are third country nationals subject to the visa requirement for a short stay in the Schengen area, regardless of whether or not they return home;
•    third country nationals who travel for the purpose of study;
•    highly qualified third-country nationals if their employment is necessary from an economic point of view and their work cannot be postponed or carried out abroad.
Visa applications for family reunification can again be submitted , but gradually and as far as possible.  The visas for family reunification will however not be granted , until further notice.

Hi gannam,

I hope all is well on your end.

Thank you so much for this valuable information. This is definitely going to be helpful for soon to be expats.

Have a great week ahead!

Warm regards,
Veedushi