Expat Welcome Desk — Brussels-Capital Region's free multilingual relocation service

The Expat Welcome Desk (EWD) is a public advisory service of the Brussels-Capital Region, operated by the Commissioner for Europe and International Organisations — the office liaising between Brussels and international institutions (EU, NATO). For more than 25 years it has provided personalised multilingual support (EN/FR/NL) to anyone coming to live and work in Brussels, from EU civil servants to private-sector professionals.

What it does: The EWD guides expatriates through Belgian administrative procedures at every stage of settling in: municipal registration, residence and work permits, EU citizenship rights, taxation, family reunification, social security, rental contracts and education. Consultations are available by phone, email, in-person and video. A dedicated antenna is co-located at the European Parliament (ASP building) for EU staff.

Context and evidence: In 2022, more than half of Brussels' working-age population (aged 15–64) was foreign-born. An independent 2023 OECD review, 'Unleashing Talent in Brussels, Belgium,' confirmed Brussels' position as a major attractor of highly-skilled international workers and cited integration services as critical for converting attraction into sustainable retention. The OECD noted an employment rate of 52% among the 15–64 population and flagged particular underemployment among women born outside the EU-27 (employment rate 41% in 2022).

Why it is a good practice: The EWD's longevity (25+ years of continuous service), its institutional anchoring in a Commissioner-level office, and its trilingual accessibility make it one of the most embedded talent retention instruments in any European capital. Its free-of-charge model and broad eligibility — any worker, regardless of nationality or sector — are particularly inclusive.

Sources: https://www.commissioner.brussels/en/i-am-an-expat | OECD (2023): https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/2023/10/unleashing-talent-in-brussels-belgium_2c608b30.html

Read the full analysis: https://www.commissioner.brussels/en/i-am-an-expat