Fair Pay & Gray Skies for Expats in Belgium in 2026

Belgium rewards expats with fair pay and strong job security, but a cool climate and reserved locals make settling in slow.

➡️You’re welcome to use these 2026 Expat Insider results. Please remember to credit InterNations as the source, and where possible, include a link to www.internations.org.

In this article:

In Brief
The Fairest Pay Anywhere
Top Healthcare, Tough Weather
Comfortable Finances, Practical Living
Slow to Settle
The Typical Expat in Belgium
Further Reading

In Brief

Belgium ranks 15th out of 31 destinations in the Expat Insider 2026 survey. Its standout is the Working Abroad Index (7th), supported by a solid Personal Finance Index (10th) and a respectable result for Expat Essentials (12th).

However, the Ease of Settling In Index (20th) and especially the Quality of Life Index (22nd) hold it back. Overall, expats are reasonably content, with about two in three (66%) happy with life there, a little below the 70% global average.

The Fairest Pay Anywhere

Belgium is a quiet career success, ranking 7th in the Working Abroad Index. It tops the table for fair pay, where over three in four expats (77%) feel well compensated — far above the 58% global average — and places 2nd for job security.

Overall job satisfaction ranks 5th and personal career opportunities 6th. In fact, about two in three expats (65%) agree that moving to Belgium has improved their prospects (vs. 55% globally).

The balance is good too: Belgium ranks 8th for working hours, and the average full-time week is a manageable 40.2 hours against the 42.2-hour global norm. For many expats, work was also the main reason to relocate to Belgium: Worldwide, 33% give job-related reasons for their move. In Belgium, this share is at 46%.

Top Healthcare, Tough Weather

The Quality of Life Index (22nd) is a story of extremes. Belgium ranks 3rd in the Healthcare Subcategory — over four in five praise the availability (84% vs. 71% globally), affordability (82% vs. 61%), and quality (85% vs. 71%) of medical care. Expats also appreciate the freedom to express opinions (2nd) and the opportunity to travel (8th), helped by Belgium’s central location in Europe.

Opinion

I appreciate the healthcare, the good transport system, and the international community that make it homely. (Nigerian expat in Leuven)

Opinion

However, its 29th place in the Environment & Climate Subcategory drags it down. Expats in Belgium are notably less likely to give a positive rating for the air quality (42% vs. 65% globally), natural environment (74% vs. 84%), or weather (22% vs. 58%). Indeed, the weather was named by 30% of respondents as a point of concern before the move.

Last but not least, political stability (26th) and personal safety (28th) also disappoint, with nearly one in five respondents (19%) not feeling safe (vs. 9% globally).

Comfortable Finances, Practical Living

Belgium ranks 10th in the Personal Finance Index, with three-quarters of expats (75%) finding that their income is enough or more than enough for a comfortable life and a 9th-place finish for financial satisfaction.

Practical life is decent too, with the country ranking 12th in the Expat Essentials Index — including a 10th place for Housing and 16th for Admin Topics.

Digital Life is the exception at 23rd. Worldwide, 81% of respondents agree that it’s easy to get high-speed internet access in their respective host country, with 48% even agreeing completely. In Belgium, only 73% and 35%, respectively, say as much.

Dealing with the language is manageable, with a 15th place in the respective subcategory.

Slow to Settle

Building a social life takes effort, with Belgium 20th in the Ease of Settling In Index. Less than a third of expats (32%) find it easy to make local friends (vs. 39% globally), and feeling welcome ranks 21st. Local friendliness sits at 21st overall.

Opinion

It’s hard to break the ice with people. I miss directness. (Austrian expat in Leuven)

Opinion

The expat scene fills the gap socially — about two in five (45%) say their friends are mostly other expats, above the 37% global share.