Posts

How to prepare your children to move to Belgium

If you have decided that you and your family will be moving to Belgium in the near future you may be concerned on how best to prepare your children for this upheaval. You should anticipate that a new environment may be difficult to cope with at first for any child. For this reason it is good practice to ease them into the idea gently early on.

As a country, Belgium is one of the most children friendly, welcoming children from other countries into their culture and lifestyle. It is true that by relocating to Belgium, you are giving your children access to an exceptional quality of education, but you need to find one that suits a child’s individual needs. Researching and discussing schools before hand will help greatly.

The language barrier in Belgian schools can be determined by 3 languages; Dutch, German or French. It is worth looking into the prerequisites of these languages for your child to fully benefit. Parents are also expected to be more actively involved in educating their children in Belgium which may make the transition easier.

Involve your children with all aspects of the move and they will become familiar and accustomed to the idea easier. Removals to Belgium are easy to organise and children will be more inclined to accommodate the idea of moving if they have control over what they take. Allow them to help pack and try to make it as fun and exciting as possible.

European Removals Belgium

Facts About Belgium

Moving to Belgium offers people a chance to experience one of the most interesting cultures in the world, whilst also very rarely having a language barrier ever becoming an issue as many Belgians are bi- or tri-lingual.

The Belgians are extremely passionate about food and drink. Not only did they make some of the most important advancements in the making and designing of chocolates (yes, you have them to thank for that!), but they also gave the world waffles, and more surprisingly French fries. They also have a surprisingly low number of fast food restaurants, much preferring ‘real’ food. They also love their beers, drinking more per year than most other countries and having over 800 different beers made there alone.

Moving to Belgium is not just for those interested in cuisine though. Moving to France offers similar levels of gastronomical delights and moving to France is often favoured by many who are unfamiliar with the rich culture of Belgium. However, Belgium has a very liberal nature and is very much focussed on equality and fairness, being one of the first countries to legalise things were once quite controversial ideas. They were also the first country to produce newspapers and, surprisingly, a Belgian founded the Holy Roman Empire.

However, whilst it is the culture and great standard of living that may attract people to the country, there is one other interesting fact that is worth knowing about this somewhat enigmatic country: The Belgian motorway system is the only man-made structure visible from the moon. Not even the Great Wall of China gets that accolade.

Belgium: Culture and More!

Europe has a lot to offer, and it is arguably the most diverse continent on the planet, with each European nations having its particular way of doing things. Surely one of the most interesting and perhaps underrated European nation is Belgium, which although one of the smallest countries in Europe certainly punches above its weight in terms of cultural intrigue, history etc.

Food and Drink

Whilst France might enjoy the title of gastronomic capital of Europe, if not the world, Belgium is is just as exciting when it comes to food and drink, and drawing upon its uniquely diverse culture, you’ll be struck by just how varied and delicious Belgian cuisine can be. In fact, there are some things that Belgium does best in the world, for example Belgium produces over 800 kinds of beer as well as lots of lovely, world class chocolate.

Culture

Belgium is unique in that it is an especially diverse culture, and there are several languages native to the country, including English, French and Flemish, and the capital of the nation Brussels is officially trilingual. Rather than seeing the abundance of language in Belgium as a challenge, anyone moving to Belgium should see it as a testament to the uniqueness and the cultural intrigue that Belgium, one of the most special European nations, has to offer.

So, relocating to Belgium could be one of the most exciting decisions that you ever make, and at European Removal Experts its our business to take the hassle out of that European move!

Dont Forget the Minor Details When Moving to Belgium

If you are relocating to Belgium you will have to carry out a number of formalities before you leave the UK. Some of these seem so obvious you may wonder why they are mentioned, but you would be surprised at how many people who are moving to Belgium or another country forget about the little details. It’s only when they arrive in the country they are moving to that they realise they have missed something out, so don’t fall into the trap of forgetting the seemingly obvious details!

The first, and perhaps most important thing to arrange, is to make sure that you have organised temporary accommodation and sufficient financial resources for the first month when moving to Belgium.

You should have a valid passport or identity card provided by your country of origin. If you don’t have these, your stay will be a lot shorter than you imagined.

You must obtain a European Health Insurance Card, this is another essential piece of ducumentation. You may be in the best of health at the moment, but who knows what the future holds?

If you are moving to Belgium to work, you will have to pay tax there, so make sure you register with the relevant authorities once you are settled in. Finally, remember to terminate your electricity, gas and telephone supply agreements and to arrange new agreements with Belgian suppliers before your arrival.

And don’t forget to transfer your bank accounts or financial instruments if necessary!

Belgian Bliss

Moving to Belgium is easy with European Removal Experts. We have all of the requisite expertise and professional acumen to make your move proceed smoothly and efficiently. Don’t forget, European Removal Experts can safely transport all of your prized possessions from anywhere in the UK to Belgium. So, therefore, even if you are moving to Belgium from as far afield as Ireland or Scotland, please do not let our London location discourage you. We are delighted to help our Celtic cousins move to this land of strange and fascinating statues, steak and chips, mussels, and delectable chocolate.

Brussels is a seat of power in Europe and also has a surprisingly lively nightlife, permeated with bars clubs and diverse attractions for every taste. We are sure that you will enjoy the entire process of relocating to Belgium, especially if you entrust your removals requirements to European Removal Experts.

Additionally, we are acutely aware that many British Citizens have second homes in Belgium and frequently require courier services and part load services for single items, paperwork or a small number of possessions. So, even if you are not moving to Belgium permanently, we can ensure that any correspondences and removals, no matter what size or scale, are delivered from your doorstep in the UK straight to your home on the continent. We offer a weekly removals service which cater for your every requirements, so please do not hesitate to contact us today for expert advice and guidance.

European Removal Experts are the premium purveyors of Removals Services from all UK locations to every location on the continent.

Reality Bites

New country – new tasty explorations! The palette is a fickle thing, but few daily thrills compare to good food. Wherever you’re off to is bound to have a unique menu of oddities for your delicious judgement (except the USA, where everything is just… bigger!), and that are likely to be served in some eccentric restaurants!

Relocating to France
Snails! Ew! Has there ever been a different exclamation from a British person? Helix snails are perhaps the preferred snail in most French cuisine. The best snails are between three and four years old. In answer to any issues with their… digestive parts, the snails are strictly fasted for about two weeks before becoming your dinner to ensure all their tubes are clear of… you know!

Relocating to Belgium
You know about the fabulous chocolate of course. But Belgian restaurant concepts are fantastic and include “Dinner in the Sky” (eat whilst suspended with your table in the air!), a number of converted old planes, and the eccentric “’t Velootje” bar (the seats are all bicycles!)

Relocating to Switzerland
Swiss cuisine is influenced by its neighbours; it presents an eclectic old mix. As for restaurants, “Blinde Kuh” is basically Blind Man’s Bluff… but when eating. Dine in pitch darkness, in the care of experienced (usually blind) staff.

Relocating to Germany
Well they certainly love their themed restaurants in Germany! “Bollesje” (prisons theme), “Knoblauchrestaurant” (everything is made with garlic!), and I’m sure you can guess what the decoration theme is at “Klo” when that name is translated into English… “Loo”

Don’t Let the Door Hit You on the Way Out!

Relocating to Belgium? Moving to France? Wherever you’re off to, in all the frantic hubbub of the move, it can be difficult to hear the feeble whispers of those UK loose ends over the excited rambunctiousness of relocating somewhere fantastic!

Whether you intend to return to the UK or not, it simply makes sense to get your affairs in order before you leave.

Practicalities

Utilities – Your utility providers need to know the residential state of your home (if you have one) whether you rent it out, leave it empty, or have a friend/relative living in it rent-free. Furthermore, your mortgage provider needs to be kept in the loop too.

Health – Doctors and dentists are busy people, so don’t waste their time. Moving to Belgium etc. doesn’t mean you can’t be registered with most of your original health services in the UK.

Post – Redirecting your UK mail is crucial to cover those unforeseen notifications of various types.

Tax and Paperwork

P85 – This notifies the tax authority that you’re leaving the country, and helps ensure you’re taxed appropriately for your location.

R105 – This will prevent your savings being taxed by both the UK and your new country.

Pension – Applying for a pension forecast/update is a sensible idea, especially if you’re likely to be out of the UK indefinitely.

Will – Making a will might feel like casting a morbid shadow over the fun of moving to France etc, but it’s really just a prudent plan to cover the more unpleasant possibilities.

Don’t Waffle About Belgium

European Removal Experts is the connoisseur’s choice for any client who is moving to Belgium. Now that you have your accommodation organised and your new job secured, perhaps in the European Parliament or a deluxe chocolate factory, your only major remaining concern about moving to Belgium is deciding which removals company you can trust with all of your professional equipment, household fittings and fixtures, personal files, keepsakes, clothes and expensive gadgets.

When you choose to use European Removal Experts, you are dealing with a company with a wealth of experience of helping many customers in moving to Belgium. We have the knowledge; there is no doubt about that: from packing your possessions securely to driving steadily yet swiftly, our employees are the best in the business.

Our drivers also have that personal touch; they enjoy helping people to move and they appreciate how stressful the entire situation can be, so they will put you at ease with a reassuring chat and friendliness before they leave base in the UK. Remember, if you are relocating to Belgium from anywhere in the United Kingdom, European Removal Experts are more than happy to help.

We also provide a fantastic man with a van service for domestic removals. You can hire one of our vans complete with a highly trained removal professional who will spend the entire day helping you to remove your possessions form your home, then pack them securely and transport them to your new address.

Please take a look at our great deals for this bespoke service. So, please don’t waffle when you’re moving to Belgium, just be sure to choose Europe Removals: the connoisseur’s choice.

Belgium Dull? No Way!

If you are moving to Belgium, you’ve probably heard all the jokes about the country from your friends and family. Belgium has gained an unfortunate – and it has to be said – undeserved reputation for being a country with little going for it apart from sprouts and obscure Euro MPs.

The outburst from a British MEP just a couple of months ago, where he described Belgium as a ‘dull little country’ didn’t help the image, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Those who are moving to Germany don’t have to put up with the same jibes, so why does Belgium get such a bad press?

Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that it is a relatively new country, or the fact that the main language, Flemish, is impenetrable to those who don’t speak it. On the other hand, it may have something to do with the fact that the national sport is cycling, and the national dish is steak and chips, so we can safely assume that there is a certain amount of snobbery involved with this dismissal of Belgium.

The chances are you will be familiar with steak and chips, but if you are moving to Belgium and you’ve never seen world class cycle racing, then you are in for a treat. They really are mad about the sport, and crowds in excess of one million are not unusual at the country’s biggest race, The Tour of Flanders, which is held every April. So that is just one thing to look forward to if you are moving to Belgium!

German Cuisine: Beyond the Bratwurst!

On the world stage, German cuisine does not hold a  better reputation than the UK’s – and that’s saying something! However, just as there’s much more to UK cuisine than fish and chips, when if comes to German food – there’s a little more to it than the Bratwurst.

Probably due to our similar histories/cultures, there is a lot of a common ground between what we eat in the UK and what Germans eat – which will come as some comfort for anyone moving to Germany who doesn’t have the most adventurous palette.

There are, however, enough gastronomical differences to excite the food connoisseur moving to Germany. And whilst much of the food you’ll find in Germany will bear a passing resemblance to food you’ll find in the UK, things are often done a little differently.

For example, anyone moving to Germany will notice the prevalence of pickled vegetables, such as sauerkraut, which often accompany meals; Germans also love their breads, and therefore you’ll find a lot of bakeries, offering, for example, pretzels; and whilst it is not the be all and end all of German cuisine, the Bratwurst and other quality sausages also prevail in the country, making it an ideal place to live if that sort of thing is your cup of tea – or should be “stein of German beer”.

Whatever the reason for moving to germany – whether its the cuisine or otherwise – with European Removal Experts we like to think that we take the hassle out of European removals.