Language
Overview
There are three official languages in Belgium: Belgian Dutch, French and German. In Flanders in the north of the country, Dutch (Flemish) is predominantly spoken (60%), while southern Wallonia is French-speaking (40%). Less than 1% of the Belgian population speaks German (predominantly in the Eupen region in the east end of the country).
Idioms
appelle … (Mijn naam is …) I am not well = Je ne me sens pas bien (Ik voel me niet well) I am very well = Ça va bien (Het gaat goed) Wednesday = Mercredi (Woensdag) Monday = Lundi (Maandag) Tomorrow = Demain (Morning) No = Non (Neen) Nine = Neuf (Negen) Ninety = Nonante (Negentig) Open = Ouvert (Open) Restaurant = Restaurant (Restaurant) Saturday = Samedi (Zaterdag) Six = Six (Zes ) Sixty = Soixante (Zestig) Seven = Sept (Zeven) Seventy = Soixante-dix (Zeventig) Sunday = Dimanche (Zondag) Menu = Menu (Menu) Do you speak German? = Est-ce que vous parlez allemand? (Spreekt u Duits?) Toilets = Toilettes (Toilets) Forty = Quarante (Fourty) Four = Quatre (Four) Wine = Vin (Wijn) How are you? = Comment ça va? (Hoe gaat het?) How much does it cost? = Combien est-ce que ça coûte? (Hoeveel kost het?) Where is…? = Où est …? (Waar is …?) Ten = Dix (Tien) Twenty = Vingt (Twintig) Two = Deux (Twee)
Public Holidays
01/01/2022 New Year
04/18/2022 easter monday
05/01/2022 Labor Day
05/26/2022 Ascension of Christ
06/06/2022 Whit Monday
07/11/2022 Feast of the Flemish Cultural Community
07/21/2022 Independence Day
08/15/2022 Assumption Day
09/27/2022 Feast of the francophone cultural community
11/01/2022 all saints day
11/11/2022 Armistice Day
11/15/2022 Festival of the German cultural community
12/25/2022 Christmas
12/26/2022 Christmas
Source: Top-mba-universities.com
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items can be imported duty-free into Belgium (when entering from non-EU countries): 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250 g of tobacco (persons aged 17 and over); 1 liter of spirits with an alcohol content of more than 22% or 2 liters of spirits with an alcohol content of 22% or less or sparkling wine (persons aged 17 and over); 4 liters of table wine; 16 liters of beer; Gifts/other goods up to a total value of €430 (air and sea travel) or €300 (travel by train/car); Children under 15 generally €175.
Import regulations
Travelers who bring meat and milk products, among other things, into the EU from outside the European Union must declare them. The regulation does not apply to the import of animal products from EU countries, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland. Anyone who does not register these products must expect fines or criminal prosecution. More information is available from Countryaah.com.
Prohibited Imports
For live poultry, there is a general import ban from third countries (except from the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland).
Import/Export to the EU
The movement of goods within the EU is unrestricted for travelers as long as the goods are for personal use and not for resale. In addition, the goods must not have been purchased in duty-free shops. Travelers may be asked to provide proof of their own personal needs. Member States have the right to levy excise duty on spirit drinks or tobacco products if these products are not intended for personal use. The following maximum quantities apply as personal requirements: 800 cigarettes (persons aged 17 and over); 400 cigarillos (over 17s); 200 cigars (over 17s only); 1 kg of tobacco (persons aged 17 and over); 10 liters of high-proof alcoholic beverages (persons aged 17 and over); 20 liters of intermediate products (e.g. liqueur wine, vermouth wine) (persons aged 17 and over); 90 liters of wine (of which a maximum of 60 liters of sparkling wine) (persons aged 17 and over); 110 liters of beer (over 17s); Perfumes and eau de toilette: No restrictions if it can be shown that the amount is for personal consumption. Medicines: Amount corresponding to personal needs during the trip. Other goods: The movement of goods within the EU is unrestricted for travelers. However, this does not apply to gold alloys and gold plating in the unprocessed state or as a semi-finished product and fuel. Fuel may only be imported from an EC member state exempt from mineral oil tax if it is in the vehicle’s tank or in a spare container that is carried along. A fuel quantity of up to 10 liters in the reserve tank is not objected to. If additional quantities of these goods are carried, e.g. For example, a wedding is an event that could justify a bulk purchase. Note: However, there are certain exceptions to the free movement of goods regime. They relate in particular to the purchase of new vehicles and purchases for commercial purposes. (More information on car taxes can be found in the European Commission’s Guide to Buying Goods and Services in the Internal Market.)
EU
Duty-free sales at airports and seaports have been abolished for travel within the EU. Only travelers leaving the EU can shop cheaply in duty-free shops. When importing goods into an EU country that were bought in duty-free shops in another EU country, the same travel allowances and allowances apply as when entering from non-EU countries. More information is available from Belgian Customs.
Contact addresses
Royal Belgian Embassy
Honorary consulates in Graz, Innsbruck, Linz and Salzburg.
Schönburgstraße 10
Vienna
Austria
+43 (1) 50 20 70.
http://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/austria
http://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/austria
Mon-Fri 09.00-12.00 and 14.00-16.00.
Royal Belgian Embassy
Consulate General in Geneva. Consulates in Basel, Lugano, St. Gallen and Zurich.
Weltpoststrasse 4, Postfach 8
Bern
Switzerland
+41 (31) 35 00 150.
http://www.diplomatie.be/bernfr
http://www.diplomatie.be/bernfr
By phone: Mon-Fri 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. For security reasons, access to the consulate is only granted by appointment: Mon 2pm-4pm, Tue/Wed 9am-12pm and 2pm-4pm, Thu/Fri 9am-12pm. Royal Belgian Embassy
Honorary consulates in Aachen, Bremen, Duisburg, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Hanover, Munich and Stuttgart.
Jägerstraße 52-53
Berlin
Germany
+49 (30) 20 64 20.
http://germany.diplomatie.belgium.be/de
http://germany.diplomatie.belgium.be/de
Mon-Fri 09.00-12.30 and 13.30-17.00 and by appointment. Consular section: Mon-Fri 09.00-12.00.
Business
Business etiquette
Punctuality and correct behavior are emphasized, and the general approach is quite formal. Business cards are welcome. Business languages are French or English.
Opening hours
Business hours: Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm.
Business contacts
Communication
Phone
According to Abbreviationfinder.org, the country code is 0032. There are no more public telephones in Belgium.
Mobile phone
GSM 900 and 1800. Network providers include Base, Orange and Proximus. There are numerous roaming agreements with other international providers. The network coverage is excellent. Roaming abroad can be used within the EU at the regular home tariff of the respective provider. Roaming charges were abolished within the EU in mid-2017.
Internet
The main provider is Proximus. Internet cafes are becoming fewer and fewer. Fast food restaurants such as McDonalds, cafes, hotels, libraries offer free access to the Internet via W-iFi in the cities. Free Internet access via hotspots is also possible in numerous public places such as train stations and airports. Mobile surfing on the Internet is also made possible, among other things, by the Goodspeed Wi-Fi hotspots, which are subject to a charge.
Post office
Postal traffic within Europe is fast and reliable, letters to other Western European countries take 1-3 days. You can write poste restante to post offices in larger cities. Stamps are available from post offices, tobacconists and many shops. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 09.00-12.00 and 14.00-17.00; different on weekends. Other regulations also often apply in holiday regions.
Radio
Numerous German-speaking radio stations can be received via Astra satellites or via the Internet in Belgium, among other things.
