👉 [HR] Welcome to Belgium – What to do next?
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🇧🇪 Welcome to Belgium – What are the next steps? 


🏠 1. Register Your Address (Domiciliation)

Why? You are legally required to register your place of residence with the local commune (town hall) within 8 days after moving into your long-term apartment.

How?

  • Book an appointment at the commune of the city you live in.

  • ​For Namur, call +32 (0) 81 24 62 46 or visit their website. 

  • For Brussels, call +32 (0) 2 279 22 11 or visit their website.

  • ​

  • Bring the following documents:

    • Passport

    • Rental contract

    • Employment contract

    • Visa (Annexe 46) that you've receive from HR

  • A local police officer may visit your address to confirm that you live there.  Please note that the police officer's schedule may not always align with your timeline, so the visit could take place a few weeks after your appointment.

  • Once approved, you will receive your residence card (electronic ID for foreigners).

  • ​

🏥 2. Join a Health Insurance Fund (Mutuelle)

Why? In Belgium, registering with a mutuelle (health insurance fund) is mandatory to get healthcare reimbursements.

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⚠️ This is not the insurance plan you selected in your salary configurator. Mutual insurance is not handled by Odoo.

How?

  • Choose a mutuelle (examples: Partenamut, Helan, Mutualité Chrétienne, etc.)

  • We recommend you Partenamut, you'll find all the necessary information here or you can directly send a mail to our contact Fabien Duchateau : Fabien.Duchateau@partenamut.be with the completed form ↩️


  • 🚨 NISS must be clearly indicated on the affiliation forms, and only handwritten signatures are accepted (no electronic signatures)

  • ​

  • You’ll receive a health insurance card (or get access to an app for digital use).

💰 3. Open a bank account

You have the option to open a bank account through WISE or we can do the request for you, through our partner, KBC Brussels. We'll need to provide: 

  1. Photocopy of both sides of the ID card or passport
  2. Copy of the employment contract in Belgium or employer's certificate
  3. Official proof of residence while waiting for a Belgian address (e.g. energy or telecom bill)
  4. Copy of a lease agreement in Belgium if already applicable
  5. If you are from a non-EU country, also include the necessary legal documents (Annex 46 work permit and Visa) 

Their current account formula is €3.25/month all inclusive. You have more information in the following document :


There are no surprises in terms of the transactions you can make.

Includes a package of services consisting of :

  • Get two debit cards that let you pay by contactless
  • Credit card (subject to acceptance)
  • Personalize your debit card with a favorite photo twice a year
  • Bank online on your computer, tablet or phone
  • Send money fast by instant credit transfer
  • Get additional services in KBC Mobile, such as Goal Alert, Apple Pay and a digital safe
  • Make cash withdrawals in euros at KBC/CBC/KBC Brussels ATMs
  • Make cash withdrawals in euros at other ATMs in Europe
  • Do your banking at our self-service terminals or branches
  • Make paper-based transfers at the counter
  • Replace your card if needed
  • Open a Security deposit for the rental guarantee if necessary with your lease agreement
  • experts at your disposal via our remote contact branch open until 10 p.m. on weekdays and until 5 p.m. on Saturdays +32 2 303 31 60 

If you'd like to benefit from this option, please send an email to taso@odoo.com with the proof of residence (e.g energy or telecom bill from your current residence). 


💸 4. Expenses & Reimbursements 

Submit your expenses on Odoo and assign Soline (TASO) as Manager, she'll then approve them.Airbnb Information 🤝

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Each month, we rent Airbnb accommodations for every expat joining Odoo.

We kindly ask you to be respectful of the places you stay in during this first month, both out of consideration for the hosts and to ensure we maintain good relationships with them. This includes keeping the accommodation clean and tidy, returning everything to its original place at check-out, washing any dishes or utensils immediately after use to prevent damage, and generally taking good care of the property.

If we receive negative feedback from the hosts and they request additional charges due to the condition of the accommodation, these costs will be deducted from your salary.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. We count on you to leave a positive and professional image of Odoo with our hosts 🙂


🚍 5. Transportation


    • The SNCB (National Railway Company of Belgium) is Belgium’s state-owned railway operator, providing passenger train services across the country and to neighboring nations. The Belgian railway network is extensive. It is a widely used means of transport. Check here for prices and timetable.


    • If you plan to drive, consider getting a local driving license.

🚗 6. Driving rules in Belgium

We are aware that driving is not the same in every country and that it can be confusing during the first few days of driving in Belgium (different signs, speed limits, etc.). Here are some practical tips to help you get acclimated.

⛔ Road signs

In this file you'll find all the explications of the principal road signs : 

➡️ Priority to the right in Belgium

In Belgium, the “priority to the right” rule means that when you arrive at an uncontrolled intersection (no traffic lights or priority signs), you must give way to vehicles coming from your right. This rule applies even if you are on a main road, unless otherwise indicated by signs or road markings.

It’s important to stay alert, especially at smaller crossroads and residential areas, as this rule can surprise drivers coming from countries where priority is given differently. Always slow down when approaching an intersection without signs and be prepared to stop if a vehicle is coming from your right.


⏱️ Speed Limits in Belgium

In Belgium, speed limits vary depending on the type of road and area. Here are the common limits:

  • 20 km/h in parking

  • 30 km/h in certain residential zones and school areas

  • 50 km/h in built-up areas (towns and cities)

  • 70 or 90 km/h on regional roads outside built-up areas (on the way to Farm 1, 2, 3 typically 😉)

  • 120 km/h on highway

Good to know 💡 : The entire city of Brussels has a 30 km/h speed limit, except in areas where signs allow a higher speed

On some roads, you may see speed cameras. ⚠️ Be careful, because if you exceed the speed limit, you might receive a fine.

Always pay attention to road signs, as limits can change depending on the situation. 

Lower limits often apply near schools, construction sites, or in specific neighborhoods.

🚗 Parking

In some citys, you've to pay or put a parking disc to park your car in the street to avoid getting a fine.

Please note: the schedule varies depending on the municipality. There are usually signs at the beginning and end of the street to indicate the parking hours. The possible hours are: 

  • from 9 AM to 6 PM
  • from 9 AM to 8 PM
  • from 9 AM to 9 PM

If you're in a zone where you have to use a parking disc, you can't stay parked for more than two hours.

You can pay directly at the parking meter you'll find on the street or here are some parking apps you can use to check parking hours and pay directly through the app: 

  • Seety
  • Easypark
  • 4411
  • Yellowbrick

In some cities, residents need a special card to park. If such a card is required, contact fleet@odoo.com.


⛽ Fuel

Note that to pay for fuel, there is a payment terminal - do not pay inside the station!


👨‍🎓 Simulation

Finaly, here you'll find a little test to see if you're ready to drive in Belgium : https://passetonpermis.be/en


📱7. Phone, Internet and TV

IF NEEDED :

  • Get a local SIM card or mobile plan. The main telephone operators in Belgium are : Orange, Proximus, Base,...

  • Set up home internet if needed. The main Internet service providers in Belgium are : Orange, Proximus, Voo, Telenet,...

A phone subscription including unlimited text messages, calls and 10GB of data costs around 20€ per month. 
TV & Internet packages cost around 60€ per month. Proximus, Voo & Telenet provide those kind of packages.

 

🚿 8. Water

You must establish your contract with the water distributor in your region:

Before contacting them, collect the following information:
​the serial number on the meter.
​​the number showing on the meter when the property was handed over.
​the contact information of the owner.

🔌 9. Electricity and gaz 


Electricity usually comes in package with gaz. In Belgium, there are multiple suppliers, and you are free to choose one. Compare the prices here, along with any available promotions. Based on this, sign up for a contract. 


📸 10. Smart Travel in Belgium: Foodie Finds & Must-See Spots

🇧🇪 Belgian Level: Expert – The Checklist ✅

  • Visit Brussels: Manneken Pis, Grand Place, Atomium 

  • Explore Bruges and Ghent

  • Go hiking in the Ardennes 🥾

  • Try a Belgian beer (alcoholic or alcohol-free)

  • Go to the Midi Fair (Brussels) or the Liège Fair 🎡

  • Visit a Christmas market (in December)

  • Go ice skating (in December) ⛸️

  • Go kayaking (e.g. La Lesse, L'Ourthe,...)

  • Spend a day at the Belgian coast 🌊

  • Visit a museum (e.g. Musées royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique, Musée Magritte, Musée des Sciences naturelles, Technopolis, Train World, Musée du Chocolat)

                                                                                                       

🍟 What You Absolutely Have to Eat in Belgium 🍻

  • Try "moules-frites"(mussels with fries)

  • Grab a cone of fries from Maison Antoine or Frit'Flagey 🍟

  • Taste "boulets liégeois" (Liège meatballs)

  • Eat Neuhaus chocolate (a true classic!) 🍫

  • Eat a Liège waffle and a Brussels waffle ... and decide which one wins 😋

  • Get an ice cream cone from Zizi, Gaston, or Capoue 🍦

Check out this Google Maps link to discover all the great spots recommended by our HR team! ✨


🪂 11. Expat Guide

Here you’ll find all the information to help you with your arrival in Belgium : 

🪂 [HR] Expat Guide