Frequently asked questions

International House West Flanders is your first point of contact when you come to live and work in West Flanders. We are an initiative of Voka, the Chamber of Commerce of West Flanders, supported by the Flemish Government and the cities of Kortrijk, Bruges and Roeselare.

We do three things. We give you clear information in English about settling in: housing, healthcare, formalities, work, family, learning Dutch and daily life, all in one place. We connect you with other internationals and with locals through coffee mornings, afterworks, webinars and events in Kortrijk, Bruges and Roeselare. And when you need more than information, we point you to the right partner, from tenant advice to career coaching.

For employers, we work together with Voka on training and support for an international workplace. That way the company you work for and you as a newcomer get the same story.

Most of all: we want West Flanders to feel like home, so that you can build your life and career here.

International House West Flanders is here for you if you are:

• An international professional working, or about to start working, at a company in West Flanders
• The partner of an international professional, building your own life and career here
• An international student at one of the West Flemish campuses, thinking about staying after graduation
• A family settling in West Flanders with children

Our information and guidance are free. Our events are open to anyone who wants to connect with the international community in West Flanders, and locals are always welcome to join.

If you are a company hiring or employing international talent, have a look at our page for employers, where you will find our offer together with Voka West Flanders.

Twee opmerkingen: ik hou de events bewust open voor locals, dat is wat de coffee mornings sterk maakt, maar ze staan niet meer als doelgroep. En "your first point of contact" is de one-stop-shop in gewone woorden. Als je "SPOC" wil behouden zoals in de oude tekst, zeg het, maar de international kent die afkorting niet.

Zullen we daarna verder naar slide 8 en 9 (K4 werkingsmodel en financiering), of wil je eerst de twee open vragen (Sadef, bedrijfsnamen) beantwoorden?
 

How can International House West Flanders help me?
International House West Flanders offers a wide range of services and networks.

Problem-solving & -supporting

Whether you have questions concerning searching for jobs, looking for houses, or applying/extending your visa and permit, we are here to support you with our information and knowledge. Most of the time, we also provide contact person for specific services that can be of direct help to your situation.

Social network & local connection

Through our social events, participants can freely connect and socialize with each other and connect not only socially but also professionally. Connections matter, especially for people that are in the process of landing a job position in Flanders.

Bridge towards West-Flemish labour market

On a yearly basis, we provide online information sessions towards general public and in-person sessions towards educational institutions on the topic of Labour Market in West Flanders. In these sessions, audience receive all types of relevant information, for instance, the procedure of Search-Year application for international students to look for jobs after graduation, the up-to-date situation in the local labour market, and so on.

Besides, starting from January 2026, we are organizing more professional networking events through which participants can get acquainted with each other based on professional purposes. This can be also be beneficial to talents that are still searching for jobs considering the wide range of sectors and companies that our community friends are working in

Our services and events are completely free. Online consultation can be booked directly through our website, and no fee will be charged for registration. If you join our social events - Coffee mornings and Afterworks, we cover your first drink with us.

Most participants from our socila events can range from age 20 to age 70. We keep our community inclusive and welcoming to all background. From time to time, some participants also join with their family with younger children.

Yes. If you come to live in Flanders or Belgium, you must subscribe to health insurance. If you legally stay in Belgium, you can affiliate with a health-insurance fund of your choice, and that fund will cover part of your medical costs and certain benefits such as incapacity for work or maternity leave.

Health insurance is compulsory in Belgium and that you need to join an accredited health-insurance fund or the government-run auxiliary fund. If you take up residency in Flanders and are older than 25, you are also required to join Flemish Social Protection for long-term care support.

Yes, its recommended finding healthcare specialists such as a doctor, dentist, and pharmacy so that you have access to appropriate medical attention when needed.
The general practitioner, or family doctor, plays a central role in Flanders and is often the first point of contact for health concerns, referrals, and guidance through the healthcare system.

Belgium’s system combines compulsory health insurance with reimbursements for many types of care. Official health guidance explains that reimbursed care can include consultations with general practitioners and specialists, physiotherapy, nursing and home-care services, dentistry, childbirth, and medicines.

In practical terms, this means you should not wait until you are ill to learn the system. Once insured, keep records of invoices and reimbursement documents, because payments and refunds can depend on the type of provider and care you receive.belgium

A general practitioner is often a good place to start when you need mental healthcare. A GP can refer you to psychologists, psychiatrists, or more specialised services in the region.
Flanders also highlights support through centres of general welfare and mental-health centres known as CGGs, which provide consultation and support for a wide range of age groups and needs.

Often, yes. The compulsory health insurance reimburses only a small portion of hospitalisation costs, and hospitalisation insurance can cover most of the additional medical expenses related to an inpatient stay.

Also strongly encourages civil-liability coverage through family or private insurance, because it protects you if someone else suffers injury or damage due to your unintentional error.

Yes, that is often a sensible choice.Notes that you may decide to stay in a hotel or other temporary accommodation before buying or renting a more permanent home, and that waiting for the right property can be worthwhile.

This can help newcomers avoid rushing into a lease before they understand neighbourhoods, transport links, work distances, and local market conditions.

Its advised choosing a location based on your needs and preferences, including whether you prefer a city or a smaller town, whether you need to live close to public transport, whether you want to be near work or school, and what your budget is.

For newcomers, this is important because a lower rent in one area may lead to longer commuting times or fewer nearby services. Thinking about daily life first usually leads to a better long-term choice.

You should understand your rights and obligations before signing a rental agreement and that a good tenancy agreement and inventory report can help avoid problems.

Belgium.be explains that a lease contract exists as soon as one person allows another to use a property in exchange for rent, and it outlines the general legal structure of renting a home.

Together, these sources show that newcomers should read the contract carefully, keep written records, and check the inventory report before moving in.

No. Flanders states that once the rent is fixed, it cannot simply be changed. Rent may be indexed once a year, except when the contract states there will be no indexation, and the landlord must request indexation in writing.

This is a useful rule for newcomers, because it helps distinguish between lawful annual indexation and informal or unjustified rent increases.

You will need to contact a water company to connect or disconnect water and that every household also needs an energy contract. Many energy suppliers can arrange gas and electricity connections, and a contract only takes effect after you sign and the new supplier confirms it.

This means that after securing housing, you should quickly check water, electricity, gas, and internet arrangements, and confirm which services are already included in the property.

Yes, if your main residence is in Belgium, you are automatically subject to Belgian income tax and receive a tax return each year. You submit the return for the past year, either on paper or online via Tax-on-web.

After processing, you receive a tax sheet showing whether you must pay extra or receive a refund. This is one of the key financial changes newcomers should expect when settling in Belgium.

If you own property in Belgium, you have to pay property tax. It also says that you pay road tax for any vehicle registered in Belgium and a vehicle registration tax if you buy a car.

These costs are easy to overlook when planning a move, so they should be included in your long-term budget, especially if you expect to own a home or a vehicle.

Official housing guidance shows that your budget should cover more than rent alone. In addition to housing costs, you may need to pay for utilities, transport, insurance, taxes, and initial administrative arrangements.

Also notes that when buying property, there are extra costs beyond the purchase price, such as registration tax or VAT and notary fees.
Even renters should plan a buffer, because the first months often include one-off setup costs and deposits.

Yes, in some situations. Flanders.be explains that there are rental premiums for people on a modest income and that some people may qualify for social rental housing.

It also mentions the Flemish rent subsidy for certain low-income situations, although the eligibility criteria are specific. This means support exists, but it depends on your circumstances and cannot be assumed automatically

Because many official processes depend on timing, documents, and proof of residence. Tax, health insurance, utilities, rent, and vehicle-related costs can all start early in your stay.
A newcomer who keeps contracts, invoices, registration documents, and payment confirmations well organised is usually in a much stronger position when dealing with authorities, landlords, insurers, or employers.

VDAB is the official Flemish employment service and provides support specifically for newcomers. Its newcomer guidance page states clearly that VDAB helps newcomers in Flanders who are looking for work.

VDAB offers specific support for highly educated, non-native speakers. Its official guidance says that if you obtained a higher education diploma in your country of origin, VDAB can advise you in your job search.

This is especially important for newcomers whose qualifications may need explanation, recognition, or strategic positioning in the Flemish labour market.

The civic integration programme includes individual guidance in the search for work or study and help with the evaluation of diplomas.

That means work support is not isolated from broader integration. Official systems in Flanders often connect language learning, orientation, and labour-market guidance.

That depends on your nationality and the purpose of your stay. Visa and residence requirements depend on nationality, the length of stay, and the reason for coming to Belgium, such as work or study.

Because work authorisation rules can be specific, newcomers should verify their exact status through official channels before assuming they can work.

Volunteering is not the same as employment, but it can still help newcomers build experience, confidence, and local networks. VDAB’s guidance on volunteer work describes it as a way to strengthen competencies, especially when you have little work experience or are having difficulty finding a job.

For newcomers, this can be a practical bridge into local life while continuing a formal job search through official channels.