The work culture in Brussels
Brussels, like most places, has its own unique work culture and this can come as a bit of a shock to expats if you're not sure what to expect. Taxes, for instance, are very high and so don't be surprised to see the pay you take home be cut almost in half each month. To avoid any surprises before you move to the city, let's take a look at what the work environment in Brussels looks like.
Wages and work hours in Brussels
Brussels has a highly skilled workforce, so wages are generally relatively high. It also has a very high tax rate, so it is a good idea to calculate what you'll be taking home each month before accepting any job offer. Taxes, for instance, can be as high as 45%. To counter this, Belgian companies often offer a wide range of benefits besides the basic wage. While some give you a transport allowance and pay for a gym membership, others provide you with a company car, food vouchers and may also pay for your phone contract. This all adds up and is a way for the company to pay you in a way so that you don't have to pay even more tax on what you take home.
In 2019, on average, full-time employees received a monthly gross salary of 3,642 euros. However, there are several factors to consider when looking for the type of salary you could expect in Brussels. For example, there can be many differences in salary depending on your employer, the sector you wish to work in, the position you are interested in, your qualifications, and the state of the job market when you apply. Many employers also offer a thirteenth month's salary, which can act as a vacation allowance. Some employers even provide half of a fourteenth month's salary as an end-of-year bonus.
In Brussels, Statbel found that 10% of employees earn more than €6,120 per month, and 10% earn less than €2,390 per month. The statistical study also showed that the highest-paid field in Brussels was the petrochemical industry, with the lowest-paid sectors being accommodation and food services. In 2023, the minimum wage was €1,684.90 per month. Some sectors, it is said, could offer more than this.
As you can see, there are many variables to consider when determining how much you could earn working in Brussels. The other parameter to consider is the length of your working week. While many companies are now increasingly flexible in terms of working hours, in general, employees in Brussels work around 38 to 40 hours a week, with a 40-minute lunch break in the afternoon.
Holidays in Brussels
In Belgium, the holidays you are entitled to in any one particular year are dependent on the amount of time you worked the year before. This means that you have to accrue holiday days, and for newcomers to Belgium, this may seem quite strange and unfair. If, for example, you worked all of 2018 for a company, then in 2019, you would be entitled to twenty days off and any public holidays. You may also be entitled to holiday pay if that is in your contract. If you didn't work the year before or were working in a different country, then you are probably unfortunately not entitled to any paid holidays. With many companies, however, you can opt to take unpaid leave.
Taxes in Brussels
When checking their bank account for the first time after receiving their first paycheck, many newcomers to Brussels are shocked, and Belgium does indeed have one of the highest tax rates in the world. Many employees can expect to lose around half of their salary to tax each month. The amount of tax you pay depends on a whole range of different factors, such as how much you earn and whether you're married and have children.
In 2023, the tax brackets in Belgium were as follows:
- if you earn between €0 and €14,430 a year, you are taxed at 25%;
- if you earn between €14,431 and €25,600 a year, you are taxed at 40%;
- if you earn between €25,601 and €44,500 a year, you are taxed at 45%;
- if you earn more than €44,501 a year, you are taxed at 50%.
Taxes in Belgium are notoriously complicated, and a few years ago, a tax form was sent around to everyone in the country with 885 different fields for them to choose from. Once you get the hang of them, although it's not too complicated, you might want to sit down with an accountant the first year that you receive the tax return form.
Many expats in Brussels do not have to go through the whole palaver of filling in their tax forms as both European civil servants and NATO officials are exempt from paying Belgian personal income tax.
Dress code and work etiquette in Brussels
As appearances are quite important in Belgium, it is better always to dress up properly rather than turn up in something too casual. Men should wear suits or jackets with smart shoes, and women should wear suits or conservative dresses. In general, darker hues are worn rather than colorful clothes. This, of course, depends on where you work, and at some companies, you may get away with wearing jeans and T-shirts, for instance. It is only in certain professions that a uniform is ever worn.
At work and in meetings, it is essential to be on time as punctuality shows that you respect your colleagues or associates and are a responsible individual. To greet people, you shake hands, and it is a good idea to greet them in their mother tongue. Use polite forms such as "vous" when addressing someone.
The organization and management of the office or business depend to a large extent on whether it is a Flemish or Walloon company or individual that you work for. The former will most likely be more participatory in nature with decisions being reached by consensus with tasks and responsibilities being delegated around the office. The latter is more hierarchical in nature, with more direct leadership and clearly defined roles. In international organizations, the office organization will again vary depending on the makeup of the staff and from which country the organization originates.
