Brexit ushers in a new era for Belgian immigrants, one marked by dramatically higher travel expenses.

Many changes were elicited after the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union (EU) on 31 January 2020. There were shifts in regulations, withdrawal, and termination of relative agreements. One of the implications gave the UK and EU complete immigration control over their region, but thanks to freedom of movement, migration is very much permitted. For this reason, Belgians moving from Belgium to the UK no longer have the liberty to stay free for more than three months. To stay longer, you must apply for a residency permit from the local foreign authorities. 

Some International residency rights have also changed. You can check in with your lawyer for more details on the obligations and duties expected of you as an ex-pat in the UK.

Before Brexit, immigrating to the UK from Belgium was a relatively straightforward process. However, a lot has changed since the United Kingdom left the EU. To work, you are now obligated under an appropriate work permit. A similar secure route implies having work sponsorship by your UK employer who will take care of your visa requirements. The UK's diverse economic structure makes it a central hub for onsite and freelance opportunities. You can take advantage of freelance opportunities while visiting for a different reason.

Relocating to UK from Belgium has passed because they have the best waffles. To taste Belgium chocolate for more than 3 months, people moving to Belgium from the UK after Brexit will surely require a permit. These licenses are granted based on the reason for the move, which could be for residence, as a skilled migrant, or to establish a business.

Despite administrative changes accompanied by the exit, none is derogatorily seen as rejection, rather, but a touch of humor to make the transition a bit more enjoyable.

Cost of living in London vs. Brussels

Brussels and London are on top of everyone’s list to get busy with mouth-opening views and eat mussels. Still, it calls for a different living assessment when you discover that €20,000 would make you live luxuriously in Brussels while struggling to live a shared life with it in London. 

It also hits differently when you find out you might earn twice as much in London than another professional doing the same work in Brussels. Rent can otherwise slash your earnings into halves if not properly managed.

The quality of life in London is way higher than in Brussels. London is the best city in the world based on an overall measurement standard, and Brussels ranks 24th most livable city below it. You need no invitation to shop for a good life in London. Keep your cards in deep pockets to avoid flash purchases and uncalled math quizzes. Here is an estimate of the differences in costs.

People (culture)

Language is a notable difference between the two metropolises. While both capitals are in European countries, London is a fully English-speaking city, and Brussels can speak up to three fluently. You might have to sharpen your Flemish skills to mix with its locals. London’s lifestyle is its culture. This includes its careful choice of words, language, food, table manners, music, relationships, museums, and carnivals. London's historical background and ability to rise quickly after a fall makes it one of the most vibrant cultural cities in the world.

Do you think London is cold? Brussels is colder!

If you're planning a move between these two cities, you might want to consider hiring a moving company.

The mean temperature in London is 12.17°C while Brussels’s temperature is 11.84°C.

The weather in July is the hottest for both (18℃), and it can also be snowy from December to February in Brussels. Snowfall in Brussels can create a picturesque scene, especially in its parks and historic areas. As expected, summer is the time both cities record the most visits, and, and you will surely enjoy its shiny time, particularly if you decide to spend them sunbathing.

Sports and outdoor activities are at their optimum in these cities, while nature encourages relaxation. There is no chance that outdoor activities in Brussels will stop growing. London has many free things to do, such as exploring the historic center, visiting museums, parks, and markets, and enjoying street art and festivals.  If you are great at cycling, hockey, hiking, skiing, climbing mountains, and playing tennis, be sure your free time is not a waste.

To get a feeling of nature and wildlife, there are many parks and nature centers to visit. A few notable are Atomium in Brussels, St. James Park in London, Grote Markt In Brussels, and Kensington Gardens in London.

Pros

• The UK is one of the world's safest places to live. The country enjoys low counts of homicide, rape, and assault in many areas.
• In terms of transport safety, it is well organized.
• Free healthcare for all English residents no matter where you’re from. The National Health Service (NHS) provides free or low-cost healthcare to residents.
• The pub life serves as a great home outside the fence. 
• Shopping is more like breathing with so many fancy things to admire.
• The UK attracts a large number of international students due to its renowned universities and diverse academic programs.
• Public transport can take you to all places.
• The UK has a good work-life balance, and bank holidays (as fondly called) are always days away from work.
• The weather in the UK is a wish for Canadian residents.
• The job market is most massive in London as you can work in finance, engineering, manufacturing, distribution, travel, electronics, advertisement, healthcare, property, and transportation.

Cons

• Rent is a nightmare. It sometimes costs three kidneys to acquire preferred housing, while a human being only has two. Older housing stock may also lack modern amenities.
• Traffic in major cities can get very hectic. It is important to factor that into meeting up for appointments.
• Cites are crowded and you are encouraged to protect what’s yours, especially your wallet.

Despite the free reservations with the National Health Service (NHS), it is not unusual to procure insurance and register with a private healthcare provider if need be. It helps to reduce the public healthcare wait time and get personalized services. You are likely covered under your employer’s provision which may be deducted from your emolument. The UK private healthcare is get-what-you-pay, and it is regulated for appropriation by the government.

If you want a more more destinations, you can look - Belgium - Italy, UK - Germany, Germany - Belgium.

The UK recognizes the rights and protection of children and provides an educative environment for adequate child growth. You need to plan in time for a child’s school registration, not less than a year. If you will be doing it before arriving, you have to follow the procedure of the local council where you will be living and be time-tracking as to when the application will start. A child needs to be 3 years to 4 years to be eligible. Do contact the government portal on school admission for further understanding of what’s required.

Moving to the UK from Belgium as a retiree involves a few considerations post-Brexit. Retirees coming in can no longer apply for direct retirement but this can be achieved in different other ways.  A popular means is to prove a family tie with a UK indigen to apply for an ancestry visa. It can also be done by applying for family or work visas for which permanent residency will later be applied after a 5-year stay. It is required to demonstrate that their pension serves as a sustainable source of income, not only to cover living expenses but also for health insurance and retirement tax obligations.

Although having a car is a nice thing, you will have to deal with the nuances of luxury.  Car re-registration, annual tax, much time in traffic, and more trouble looking for parking spaces are some of the issues you will have to deal with. However, If you can afford to drive a car, we dearly recommend it. 

Like everywhere, adapting to a sudden change in lifestyle can be very thorny, but time beats it and makes it look as if the change never happened. To make living in the UK more interesting, here are a few tips you could use:

• Make friends and be the social type.
• Gain influence with the locals over time.
• Do not act hostile to what is generally acceptable
• Accept that many Brits don’t like tea.
•  Engage in good fitness living.

We are optimistic that with what you have learned so far, you’ll be more than ready to pack your bags and prepare for the move. To make the preparation process easy, Moovick connects you with excellent movers for stress-free and real-time moving. 

Based on projects, we have a range of services to suit customers of all kinds, and we give space for option picks of the service to optimize cost. Connect now, and feel free to explore all elements of Moovick to your advantage.