www.bbf.be FOLLO3W UP YOUR BBF GUIDE TO BRUSSELS - 2018 30 facts you didn’t know about cover Belgium An introduction to Brussels Sunday shopping Tips for expats in Belgium! Welcome to Brussels, the heart Useful of Europe addresses Temporary housing in Welcome Brussels made easy to Brussels the heart of Europe Published November 2017 by At BBF we’ll be glad to help you settle in with a warm Brussels Business Flats Belgium n.v. Avenue de Roodebeek 78 box 9 welcoming and professional team who will provide you with 1030 Brussels e-mail: [email protected] - www.bbf.be every information that you need. We will not be responsible for errors or omissions or any damages, howsoever caused, As a first introduction to some basic practical information which result from its use and make in your new private apartment we decided to create Follow YOUR NUMBER ONE no warranty of claims as to the quality or competence of businesses Up, a handy guide for your stay in Brussels. We hope it can FOR CORPORATE or professionals mentioned. The publisher cannot be held be of some assistance, especially during the first days of your HOUSING IN responsible for the views and opinions of the advertisers arrival. The aim is to give you a basic idea about the area BRUSSELS and contributors, neither for any of the content. you are living in with these useful addresses in the City. To find out why, visit You will also find information about events, handy tips SERVICED APARTMENTS www.bbf.be and services of our partners in Brussels. For any further information or to obtain a specialized Brussels expat guide BBF is specialized in the rental of serviced and residential apartments you can always contact your local agency. since 1992. With over 1600 apartments in top locations in Brussels and Budapest we can offer flexible mid to long term rental packages combined with professional services at affordable rates. Together with We wish you a pleasant stay! the ASAP quality label this guarantees the key to an excellent stay. The BBF team Enjoy Brussels to the fullest and download our free app at www.bbf.be/bbf-app FOLLOW-UP 3 Coming to work ˜ INDEX ˜ in a country with R 200 days of rain is your choice Introduction to Brussels ......................................................................06 Public transport in Brussels ...........................................................14 A brief description of the areas ...................................................16 Sunday shopping .......................................................................................27 Couleur Café - Musical Festival ..................................................30 We will do our utmost to guide you financially. 30 facts you didn’t know about Belgium ...........................34 Moving to Belgium? ING offers all the banking and insurance services you need in your own language, Brussels forgotten museums - Cinematek ........................38 even before you arrive. Brussels events calendar ...................................................................42 Call us at +32 2 464 66 64 or surf to ing.be/expat Useful addresses ........................................................................................46 BBF guidelines .............................................................................................50 10 tips for expats ......................................................................................54 Banking, financial and/or insurance offer subject to acceptance by ING Belgium (or, where appropriate, the relevant insurance company) and to mutual agreement. Terms and conditions (regulations, rates, key information documents for investors or savers and other supplementary information) available from any ING branch or on www.ing.be. ING Belgium SA/nv –Bank –avenue Marnix 24, B-1000 Brussels –Brussels RPM/RPR –VAT: BE 0403.200.393 – BIC: BBRUBEBB –IBAN: BE45 3109 1560 2789. FOLLOW-UP 5 Insurance broker registered with the FSMA under the number 12381A. Publisher: Marie-Noëlle De Greef –Cours Saint-Michel 60, B-1040 Brussels – 712887E – 09/17 712887E_Advertentie Expat_Rain_158,5x220.indd 1 20/09/17 14:24 INTRODUCTIONR TO BRUSSELS Not only is Brussels the centre of European politics, the capital has a fascinating and old history that dates back eleven decades when it began as a small dukedom. In 1830 Belgium became independent and Brussels became the capital of Belgium under a new king and parliament. In this article we would like to give you some interesting facts of Belgium through a mixture of facts, history, cultural traditions and political infrastructure. R 6 FOLLOW-UP FOLLOW-UP 7 ˜ INTRODUCTION TO BRUSSELS ˜ R cosmopolitan and international character, A few facts about Belgium even though the city is small compared with London or Paris. elgium was named after a Celtic The Brussels region is made up of 19 separate tribe called the Belgae who had communes. The City of Brussels has about Bestablished themselves in the area by 150,000 inhabitants and is one of the most The Lion the 2nd century BC. In 1815 with the end international cities in the world. 27% of of Waterloo, of the Napoleonic wars, the great powers the population is made up of foreigners, Ambiorix facing France decided to unite Holland and Belgium as not including those who have taken the Netherlands at the Congress of Vienna. Belgian citizenship. It houses around 1400 Belgium became an independent state in 1830 international organisations and is the site of with Leopold Saxe-Cobourg, a British citizen the European Union headquarters. Brussels is the location for 40,000 EU employees, and uncle of the future Queen Victoria, as 4,000 NATO employees and hosts about 300 King. Today the country is bounded to the permanent representations: lobby groups, north by the Netherlands, to the east by embassies and press corporations. Germany and Luxembourg, to the south by France, with a western coastline bordering Language the North Sea. An interesting fact about Belgium is that An interesting fact is that Belgium is Belgians do not share one common language. Shutterstock.com separated into 3 regions mainly due to The official languages are Dutch (Flemish), differences in language – French and Dutch spoken by 5,5 million and French, spoken The Netherlands speakers. The regions are Flanders in the by 4,5 million. German is also an official The U.K. north (Dutch),Wallonia in the south (French) language in the Eupen and Malmedy areas and Brussels in the centre (Bilingual). There on the German frontier. Language is such an is a small area called Ardennes that also important part of the political and cultural The North Sea speaks German but it is not an official region. infrastructure that the country created an Flanders Brussels The Kingdom of Belgium covers an area of official language border between the north 30.510 km2, making it one of the smallest and south and also a third region which is countries in Western Europe. Belgium is Brussels. one of the most highly industrialised and densely populated countries. The population Visitors should be aware of the deep Wallonia is around 11 milion, including more than differences between the flemish and Walloon 900.000 non-Belgians. communities. Brussels is officially bilingual but in fact is 75% French-speaking. A few facts about Brussels An increasing number of Belgians, particularly the young, speak Dutch and Germany Brussels, the capital and adminstrative French and have a good working knowledge France centre of Belgium, has acquired a strong of English and German. Luxembourg 8 FOLLOW-UP FOLLOW-UP 9 ˜ INTRODUCTION TO BRUSSELS ˜ Some things R Brussels, the heart of Europe, is famous for its complicated bureaucracy, not to miss out Manneken Pis and its waffles, chocolates and fries. But there are lots of things to do and see in the city which even seasoned expats living in Brussels in Brussels sometimes miss out on. Here is a list of must-sees for you: The Belgian Comic Strip Centre If you have a walkabout through Brussels, it’s hard to miss out the murals depicting famous comic characters. But did you know that Brussels is the comic strip hub of the country? There is a whole museum dedicated to Tintin, the Smurfs and Lucky Luke. Visitors can discover a range of permanent exhibitions, illustrated with original artwork and unique objects and can learn all about the development of European comics, from their beginning up until today. The Musical Instruments Museum… and its terrace Situated at Place Royale where you will find the main arts museums is the Musical Instruments Museum which is one of the most impressive art nouveau buildings in Brussels. This Art Nouveau building erected in 1899 and designed by architect Paul Saintenoy has been superbly renovated. It used to house the Old England shops and is famous for its architecture and its collections but it also has an amazing rooftop terrace with a breathtaking view of the city. But the Belgian Comic Strip Center is also the former Waucquez Warehouse, a gem of Art Nouveau by grand master Victor Horta (1906). Open every day (except on Monday) from 10 am to 6 pm. Shutterstock.com 10 FOLLOW-UP FOLLOW-UP 11 Fries, beer and chocolate For its interior and ambiance its worthwile visiting La Mort Subite, La Chaloupe d’Or, Fries, especially when they are served with Le Cirio, Falstaff, Goudblommeke in Papier, mayonnaise, are a typically Belgian food you Poechenellekelder and Châlet Robinson.. should not miss out on. The art of making Delirium is a great beer cellar situated near the perfect fry is to be found in the type of rue des Bouchers, where often tourists who potatoes and fat that is being used. But also are not really acquainted with the side effects the process of frying and refrying is crucial. of stronger beers, seem to have a good time! Although many disagree, the word on the Apparently they won a Guinness record street is that friterie (or fries shop) “Chez with the most varieties of beer commercially Antoine” at Place Jourdan has the best fries. available 2.004, in the year 2004. The most renomated friterie is Frit Flagey and is the number one destination for that Green Spaces experience.