CASTEAU HANDBOOK Military Family Services (Europe) www.cafconnection.ca/Europe Date published: Date revised: TABLE OF CONTENTS GREETINGS FROM YOUR MFS(E) TEAM ....................... 8 MFS(E) Services ............................................................................................... 8 European Advisory Committee ......................................................................... 10 Using This Guide ............................................................................................ 10 SOME HELPFUL RESOURCES ..................................... 12 OVERVIEW OF BELGIUM ........................................... 13 Map OF BELGIUM (with mons) ......................................................................... 13 Geography/Politics ......................................................................................... 14 Climate ......................................................................................................... 14 Languages ..................................................................................................... 14 Religion ........................................................................................................ 15 Canadian/Expat Community ............................................................................ 15 Cultural Nuances, Etiquette and Traditions ........................................................ 15 Public Holidays ............................................................................................... 16 Belgian public holidays 2020 ....................................................................... 16 News ............................................................................................................ 16 BEFORE YOU COME ................................................... 17 EMERGENCY INFORMATION ..................................... 18 Emergency Contacts ....................................................................................... 18 GETTING SETTLED .................................................... 19 Making Phone Calls ......................................................................................... 19 2 Calling Within Europe ............................................................................... 19 Calling Outside of Belgium ........................................................................ 19 Calling Canada from Belgium .................................................................... 19 Calling Belgium from Canada .................................................................... 19 Some Country Codes: .............................................................................. 20 Summary: .............................................................................................. 21 Toll Free and Charges for Calls .................................................................. 21 BASE INFORMATION ................................................ 22 Map of shape ................................................................................................. 22 Exchange/Commissary .................................................................................... 23 The Post Exchange (PX) ........................................................................... 23 Commissary ............................................................................................ 23 Schools ......................................................................................................... 23 Morale, Welfare and Recreation ........................................................................ 23 Housing ........................................................................................................ 23 Religious Services .......................................................................................... 23 Post Office ..................................................................................................... 24 TRAVEL & TRANSPORTATION ................................... 26 Subsidized Travel ........................................................................................... 26 NON-UNIT Fund and CANEX/SISIP Grant........................................................... 26 Air Travel ...................................................................................................... 26 Public Transit ................................................................................................. 27 Train ............................................................................................................ 27 Taxis ............................................................................................................ 27 Car Rental ..................................................................................................... 28 Travel Advisories ............................................................................................ 28 ADMINISTRATION .................................................... 29 3 Banking ........................................................................................................ 29 Local Currency ........................................................................................ 29 Online Banking Payments – IBANs, BICs, and TANs ..................................... 29 Money Transfer ....................................................................................... 29 CRA and Residency Status for Spouses/Dependents ........................................... 29 Child TAX Benefits .......................................................................................... 31 Pets .............................................................................................................. 31 HEALTH SERVICES .................................................... 34 General ......................................................................................................... 34 Emergency Numbers ...................................................................................... 34 Hospitals ....................................................................................................... 34 Pharmaceutical Services .................................................................................. 35 Dental Clinics ................................................................................................. 36 Social Services ............................................................................................... 36 Social Worker .......................................................................................... 36 Padre ..................................................................................................... 36 CAF Member Assistance Program ............................................................... 37 Family Information Line ............................................................................ 37 Local Resources ....................................................................................... 37 A. A. Meetings ......................................................................................... 37 Great West Life/Allianz .................................................................................... 37 Dental Claims.......................................................................................... 37 Medical Claims ........................................................................................ 38 ON THE ROAD ........................................................... 39 General ......................................................................................................... 39 Driver’s Licence.............................................................................................. 39 Information on Driver’s Licence in Canada and Renewal ...................................... 40 Car Insurance ................................................................................................ 42 Vehicle Registration ........................................................................................ 42 4 Emission Sticker............................................................................................. 42 European Green Zones ............................................................................. 42 Fuel Card ...................................................................................................... 42 Items in Your Car ........................................................................................... 42 Parking ......................................................................................................... 43 Tolls ............................................................................................................. 43 Safety Belts and Child Seats ............................................................................ 43 Mobile Phones ................................................................................................ 44 Winter Tires ................................................................................................... 44 Alcohol and Narcotics ...................................................................................... 44 Roadside Assistance ....................................................................................... 44 If Involved in a Car Accident ............................................................................ 45 Buying or Selling a Car ................................................................................... 45 AROUND THE HOUSE ...............................................