The Expat Welcome Desk
A free multilingual information service for International Brusselers, guiding you through your administrative procedures.
Hello, bonjour, hallo and congratulations, International Brusseler! Have you moved here for work? Is your family coming? Or maybe you’ve been in Brussels for a while, but you still need some guidance on administrative issues. Whatever your Brussels puzzle, the Expat Welcome Desk is here for you.
Whether you’re a newcomer or long-time international resident, the team at the Expat Welcome Desk can inform, guide and support you. They will listen, offer tailored advice, and do it all for free!
An expert service and a friendly face
The Expat Welcome Desk has been helping people settle Brussels for more than 30 years, offering information and advice about all sorts of administrative procedures. They are happy to help both newcomers and International Brusselers who have been in the city for a long period. As your needs change, they are here for you.
The team has a special expertise in the situation of staff at EU and international organisations, but they can advise anyone who moves to Brussels for work (and their families).
The Expat Welcome Desk is not here to recommend restaurants or arrange your gym membership, but whenever you are struggling to find your way, they are waiting to make Brussels easy!
Get in touch
It is easy to reach out. You can email or call, meet us face to face, or speak over video. We’re open Monday – Friday. Call or send an e-mail to make an appointment.
Our main address is Avenue d’Auderghem 63, 1040 Etterbeek. We also have a European Parliament Antenna (ASP building - office 00H160) where EU staff can drop in for advice at any time.
Check out our Opens in new windowevents and webinars — you’ll get useful information and maybe even meet a few fellow International Brusselers!
Contact
The Big Questions
The Expat Welcome Desk can answer questions about any administrative issue you are facing – in English, French or Dutch. This free, independent public service is a one-stop shop, with direct connections to key public authorities at the local, regional and federal level.
Here are the topics on which people most frequently contact the Expat Welcome Desk:
- Registering at the municipality (commune/gemeente)
- Residence permits, visas, work permits and Belgian citizenship
- Rental contracts
- Taxes
- Family reunification and bringing your loved ones to Brussels
- Social security affiliation
- Education and childcare