Is It Worth It to Move to England from Belgium

 

Is It Worth It to Move to England from Belgium? A Complete Guide for Future Expats

The concept of packing your bags and crossing the North Sea is one that is certainly exciting. When one is currently residing in Belgium and finds that they spend most of their days daydreaming about their future in England, they are certainly not alone. The cultural connection that exists between the people of Belgium and England is one that is certainly strong. From the history that was made in the Ypres Salient to the present day fascination that people have for the streets of London, there is no denying that there is a strong connection. However, as one considers their future and whether or not making the move is one that is worth making, there are certainly many factors to consider. While Belgium offers its citizens top-notch medical care and chocolate that is unlike any other in the world, England offers its citizens a fast-paced environment that is unlike any other.

The First Impression: Arrival and Connectivity

For the majority of Belgians, the process begins the minute you set foot on English soil. Whether you are flying in from Brussels or Charleroi, the first point of contact is likely to be one of the major international airports. If you are like the rest of us, you will probably need to make use of a Heathrow Airport Taxi in order to make the transition from the runway to your new neighborhood as seamless as possible. This is the first step in what will hopefully be a long and fulfilling journey. While the infrastructure in England is well-developed, it can also be somewhat sprawling in comparison to the compactness of Belgium. The level of connectivity between Belgium and England is also quite good, with the train making the journey between Brussels and London in less than two hours. This is obviously a major plus, as it means that if you are moving to England, you are not abandoning your Belgian identity and can easily return for the weekend to stock up on Speculoos and visit the family.

The Immigration Landscape: Navigating the New Rules

The biggest changes since Brexit have to be the changes to the freedom of movement. As a Belgian citizen, you cannot just pick up a suitcase and go live in England anymore. The points-based system is now in place. To live in England, you need to apply for a skilled worker visa. This requires you to have a job offer from a sponsor that is approved by the Home Office. Other possibilities are the family visa and the student visa.

Perhaps this is the greatest challenge for young Belgians. While Belgium is technically a part of the EU’s single market, England requires a plan. You will have to demonstrate your proficiency in English, meet salary requirements (usually £26,200 per year or the prevailing salary for your position), and pay substantial fees for your visa, including the IHS. While it is not easy, it is not impossible. The important thing to note is that you will need a plan to go to England. Unlike France or Germany, you cannot simply show up and start looking for a job.

Cost of Living: Brussels vs. London (and Beyond)

In determining if the move is “worth it,” your location in England is of great importance. Belgium is known for their taxes, but also for their social structure and the great value you receive, especially in the way of housing and healthcare. England, and London in particular, is known for being quite expensive.

In moving from a place like Antwerp or Ghent, the cost of rent in London will be quite a shock. However, if you are entering the financial, technology, or creative field, the pay in London far exceeds what you would make in Brussels. If you want to have the lifestyle of Belgium, with the pace and community, then cities like Manchester, Liverpool, and Bristol have wonderful cultures with the cost of rent being quite low.

You must also factor in the Council Tax, which is a property-based tax that does not have a direct equivalent in Belgium, where property taxes are generally included in building maintenance or are the responsibility of the owner. This is another expense to add to your monthly outgoings, which many new arrivals to the country forget to include in their budget.

Career Opportunities and Work Culture

In terms of opportunities for aspiring and ambitious young professionals, England is likely to have the edge. The scale of the job market is enormous, and English is the language of global commerce and trade. While Belgium is a hub for EU and corporate headquarters, England offers a different scale of opportunities, especially in fields such as information technology, media, and academia.

The work culture is also vastly different. While Belgium is known for its strong work-life balance, and a 38-hour workweek is standard, along with long lunch breaks, England, especially in the private sector, is likely to be more demanding. However, it is also likely to be more meritocratic. If you are driven to succeed and climb the corporate ladder rapidly, you may find that England is more likely to reward ambition than the more traditional and less progressive Belgian corporate sector. For freelancers and entrepreneurs, England is likely to be more efficient and less bureaucratic than Belgium's notoriously complex self-employment laws.

Healthcare: The NHS vs. Belgian Mutuality

Belgium has one of the best healthcare systems in the world. You only have to pay a small co-pay, and you are reimbursed quickly by your mutuelle.

In England, the National Health Service (NHS), which is a source of national pride, is currently under a lot of pressure. As a legal resident, you will pay the Immigration Health Surcharge upfront, which will give you access to the NHS.

In general, for visits to the doctor or emergency care, the NHS is excellent and free at the point of use. However, you will notice some differences. Waiting times for specialists or non-urgent surgeries can be much longer than what you are used to in Belgium.

In addition, access to dental care is more difficult via the NHS, and many people have to pay for separate dental insurance.

If you are used to the speed of the Belgian healthcare system, you might have to adapt to the longer waiting times in the UK.

Social Life and Cultural Integration

It is here that the personal experience will differ greatly. As a Belgian, you will find the English to be friendly and welcoming. The language difference is minimal, and this makes integration easier than if you were to relocate to a non-English speaking country. There is, however, a cultural difference.

In Belgium, the social scene is all about the gezelligheid, the cozy atmosphere with close friends. In England, the social scene in the early stages of integration is largely pub-based and after-work drinking. While the British are polite, the expat will find it difficult to penetrate the established social cliques, whereas the Belgians and the Dutch are direct in their social approach.

Still, the diversity of England is unmatched. In London, Birmingham, or Leicester, you can find Belgian expat communities, EU citizen communities, and a level of cultural diversity that is hard to match. If you are a person who enjoys art, music, or culinary diversity, then England has a level of diversity that Belgium, for its size, can only dream of offering you.

Practical Logistics: Getting Around

Once you have done this, you will then have to familiarize yourself with your new surroundings. While Belgium is very well connected by efficient railway services, as well as smooth highways, the same cannot be said for England, which, while efficient, is also very expensive.

While the railway system in the UK is notoriously very expensive, especially in comparison to Belgium, it is also very efficient in covering the entire country.

Depending on the location of your new home, you might have to make use of a combination of public and personal transportation. For example, if you are staying in the Home Counties, which are outside of London, or you have to go to the airport to return to Brussels for a well-deserved holiday, you will need to familiarize yourself with the transportation options available to you. While staying in the Home Counties, you might find that you have to go to the airport, which is north of the capital, and the best option for you might be to book a Taxi to Luton Airport, as this might be the only sure-fire way of ensuring that you make your early morning flight without the worry of strikes and other complexities.

The Verdict: Is It Worth It?

So, is it worth moving to England from Belgium? The answer, as with all things, depends on your stage of life and your career goals. If you are in your twenties or thirties and looking for high-paying career growth, entertainment, and the global city experience, England, or more specifically London, is definitely worth the move. The energy, the opportunities, and the scope of what you can achieve are enormous.

But, if your priorities are work-life balance, world-class healthcare with no waiting times, and affordable living, then Belgium is the better choice. The bureaucracy, as a result of the Brexit, should not be taken lightly, and moving is no longer the casual affair it used to be.

Also read: Beyond the Border: Why I Chose Scotland Over England and Wales

So, if you’re willing to work through the visa process, adjust to a slightly more fast-paced way of life, and a slightly higher cost of living in return for career advancement and a truly global atmosphere, then yes, moving to England is absolutely worth it. Just be sure to start your journey off right with a plan and a budget for the cost of the visa, and the excitement of starting a new adventure where your Belgian heritage will always be a great icebreaker.