Belgium vs Germany

The common company is a BV/SRL (private limited); formation requires a notarial deed and registration in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (KBO/BCE), which issues a company number. VAT registration follows if applicable.

The most common German company is the GmbH (limited liability), which requires a notarised deed, €25,000 share capital (half paid in) and entry in the commercial register (Handelsregister). A cheaper UG ('mini-GmbH') is available with lower capital.

Belgian banking is EU-integrated and digital, using the Bancontact payment system. Opening an account usually needs ID, proof of address and often a national register number; the National Bank of Belgium oversees the system.

Germany's banking spans big banks, savings banks (Sparkassen), cooperative banks and digital banks (N26). A current account (Girokonto) is essential for salary, rent and utilities; opening one usually needs ID, an address registration (Anmeldung) and often a tax ID.

Belgium welcomes foreign investment through regional agencies (Flanders Investment & Trade, AWEX, hub.brussels), with EU free movement of capital and no exchange controls. A federal screening mechanism reviews investments in sensitive sectors; incentives are largely regional (grants, R&D and payroll-tax reliefs).

Germany actively welcomes foreign investment through Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI), with free movement of capital and no exchange controls. Investments in critical or security-sensitive sectors can be screened by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs; incentives include regional grants (GRW) and an R&D tax allowance.

Belgium taxes personal income progressively (with communal surcharges), corporate profits and VAT, run by the FPS Finance. Residents are taxed on worldwide income, and rates are relatively high.

Germany taxes income progressively (with a solidarity surcharge for higher earners and church tax where applicable) and levies VAT on most goods and services. Tax residents are taxed on worldwide income; tax classes affect monthly withholding.

Non-EU nationals need a single permit (combined work and residence), usually employer-sponsored; EU citizens work freely. Belgium's regions (Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels) handle the work-authorisation part.

Skilled non-EU workers commonly use the EU Blue Card (for higher-earning graduates) or a general skilled-worker visa, both requiring a recognised qualification and a job offer. EU citizens work freely. The Skilled Immigration Act and the 'Make it in Germany' portal set out the routes.

Non-EU students admitted to recognised Belgian higher education generally need authorisation to stay for more than 90 days, usually via a D visa application made abroad, with the Immigration Office deciding the residence conditions. The first gate is whether your institution counts as recognised higher education — private or non-recognised training is treated differently. Plan admission, funds, health insurance and municipal registration together.

For studies longer than 90 days, non-EU students need a German national (D) visa applied for at the German mission in their country. If you do not yet have a place, a prospective-student visa is available while you seek admission or complete a Studienkolleg or entrance exam. Funds are generally proved via a blocked account at an amount set annually. After arrival you register your address and convert the visa into a residence permit for study.

Belgium applies Schengen short-stay rules: tourist and other short visits are generally limited to 90 days in any 180-day period, with the visa requirement depending on nationality and the main-destination rules. Visa-free nationals must still meet the Schengen entry conditions, and a tourist stay is not a general route to work authorisation.

Germany is in the Schengen Area, so short tourist or business visits follow Schengen rules: up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the whole area. Many nationals are visa-exempt; others need a Schengen (type C) visa from the German mission. A new ETIAS travel authorisation is being introduced for visa-exempt visitors — verify the current requirement before booking.

Belgium grants unlimited (permanent) residence after generally 5 years of continuous legal residence, via a national permit or the EU long-term residence permit. You show stable income, health insurance and integration; permanent residence then leads toward Belgian citizenship (usually after 5 years).

Germany's settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) is usually available after five years of residence (faster for EU Blue Card holders and skilled workers), with pension contributions, German language and a secure livelihood. It grants indefinite residence and work.

In Belgium the main route is nationality by declaration after 5 years of legal residence (or 10 years on a longer track), showing language knowledge (one of Dutch, French or German), social and economic integration (usually work). Belgium permits dual nationality.

German naturalization was reformed in 2024: generally five years' residence (three for special integration), German language and civics, and a secure livelihood — and Germany now permits dual citizenship. Those born in Germany to long-resident parents may be citizens by birth.

Belgian employment is well-protected: a guaranteed average minimum income (with sector collective agreements often higher), 20 days' statutory holiday plus holiday pay, and notice periods that grow with seniority. Joint committees set sector rules, social security is compulsory, and disputes go to the labour tribunal (tribunal du travail).

German employment law is strongly protective: a statutory minimum wage (Mindestlohn), at least 20 days' paid leave (usually more), and strong dismissal protection (Kündigungsschutz) for established employees. Works councils and collective agreements (Tarifverträge) shape conditions; disputes go to the labour courts (Arbeitsgericht).

Belgian trade with non-EU countries clears through the Customs and Excise Administration with an EU EORI number, often via the major port of Antwerp. You classify goods in TARIC, and import VAT (21%) can be deferred to your VAT return with an ET 14000 licence. Declarations are electronic; intra-EU trade needs Intrastat and dual-use exports need a licence.

German trade with non-EU countries goes through German customs (Zoll) with an EU EORI number. You classify goods in the TARIC tariff to find duty and import VAT (19%), and declare electronically via ATLAS. Intra-EU movements have no customs but need Intrastat reporting; dual-use export controls run through BAFA.

There is no national Belgian trademark: Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg share the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property (BOIP). You file one Benelux application under Nice classes; after examination on absolute grounds it publishes with a two-month opposition period. A Benelux trademark lasts 10 years and is renewable; an EU-wide alternative is the EU trademark via EUIPO.

German trademarks are registered with the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA). You search the register, file an application classifying goods/services under Nice, and — as Germany does not examine relative grounds — it registers, then has a three-month opposition window. A German trademark lasts 10 years and is renewable; an EU-wide alternative is the EU trademark via EUIPO.

Belgium has no single national employment service for job placement — the public services are regionalised, with VDAB covering Flanders, Le Forem covering Wallonia and Actiris covering Brussels. The practical consequence is that the door you use is decided by region rather than by nationality or profession, and a search that looks only at one of the three sees only part of the country. Immigration work rights are a separate track from job-search support: non-EU workers generally need the correct single-permit or other residence basis before starting, and regulated professions may require recognition or language evidence.

Germany has two official surfaces worth using together: the Federal Employment Agency runs the national job board and a salary checker, while Make it in Germany is the government portal aimed specifically at skilled foreign workers. Non-EU workers usually need a work visa or residence permit, often via the Skilled Immigration Act or the EU Blue Card for higher earners. The step that catches people out is qualification recognition — for regulated professions it may be required before you can work at all.

Belgium is the subtle case among its neighbours: there is no statutory minimum wage fixed directly by law, but there IS a national floor — the guaranteed average minimum monthly income (RMMMG/GGMMI) established under a national collective agreement, CCT/CAO 43. So unlike Denmark or Finland there is a national figure, it just does not come from statute. Sector collective agreements can set higher minimum pay above it, and net pay also depends on social-security contributions, withholding tax, family facts and local taxes.

Germany has a statutory minimum wage (Mindestlohn) reviewed periodically by an independent commission rather than adjusted by direct political decision. Above that floor, some industries have higher collectively-agreed branch minimums, so your sector can lift the applicable rate. For official earnings data, Destatis is authoritative and the Bundesagentur für Arbeit offers a salary checker. Pay is quoted brutto; taxes and social contributions produce a noticeably lower netto.

In Belgium, funding differs by community: Flanders offers the Master Mind Scholarships (via Study in Flanders) for excellent master's students, while the French-speaking community funds development scholarships through ARES; VLIR-UOS also funds students from partner countries. Many universities add their own awards. Explore the community and university sites and apply by each deadline.

Germany's central scholarship body is the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), which funds and lists scholarships for international students at all levels; there is also the Deutschlandstipendium and many foundation and university awards. Because most public universities charge little or no tuition, scholarships often focus on living costs. Search the DAAD scholarship database and apply by each deadline.

To study in Belgium you apply to the university (in the Flemish or French-speaking community), then, once admitted, apply for a student visa (type D / authorisation to stay for study) at the Belgian consulate and register at your commune after arrival. Explore the community and university sites and apply by the deadline.

To study in Germany you check admission via uni-assist or the university (getting a VPD where needed), then apply for admission. Once admitted, you apply for a national visa for study, which usually requires proof of funds through a blocked account (Sperrkonto). Public universities charge little or no tuition. Explore options on Study in Germany and apply by the deadline.

Belgium places no restriction on foreigners buying property. Renting is governed by regional tenancy law (Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels each have their own), with a deposit of up to two to three months placed in a blocked account and a registered lease. Buying goes through a notary (notaris/notaire), is registered, and carries registration duties that differ sharply by region: Flanders charges 2% on a sole own home you will live in (conditions apply) and 12% otherwise, while Brussels and Wallonia charge 12.5% with reductions for a main residence.

Germany has strong tenant protection and no restriction on foreigners buying property. Renting: the agent fee follows the 'who orders, pays' rule, the deposit (Kaution) is capped at three months' cold rent, and notice/rent rules heavily favour tenants. Buying uses a notary (Notar), entry in the land register (Grundbuch) and real-estate transfer tax (Grunderwerbsteuer) plus notary and registration fees.

Belgium uses compulsory health insurance delivered through mutualities (mutualités / ziekenfondsen) and regulated by INAMI/RIZIV — a mutuality-based insurance model, not the Nordic tax-funded one. Residents normally affiliate with a mutuality, or with the public auxiliary fund, in order to receive reimbursements. Private travel or hospital insurance can supplement that cover but does not replace the requirement to register for compulsory insurance.

Health insurance is compulsory for everyone living in Germany, and you need valid cover to obtain a residence permit — that link is what catches newcomers out. There are two pillars: statutory insurance (GKV), covering around 88% of residents with income-based contributions split with the employer, and private insurance (PKV), generally for higher earners above the threshold, the self-employed and civil servants. Students and lower-income employees are usually in the GKV.

Belgian insurance combines compulsory social protection, compulsory health affiliation through a mutuality, motor liability cover and optional private products. Two structural points matter: health reimbursement depends on your mutuality affiliation or on the public auxiliary fund, and employer and employee social-security contributions run through separate systems via ONSS/RSZ. Before buying specialised private cover, check that the insurer or the intermediary is authorised — the FSMA supervises conduct in the sector.

Germany's Sozialversicherung is mandatory and built on five pillars: health, long-term care, pension, unemployment and accident insurance, with contributions split between employee and employer and deducted from pay. Beyond those, the policy most households treat as near-essential is personal liability insurance (Haftpflicht), and motor third-party insurance is compulsory for drivers. Private insurers are supervised by BaFin, so check authorisation before buying.