Emigration Stories
Real stories from Dutch people who made the move
Peter & Anouk (44)
Maastricht → Hasselt
We lived in Maastricht and already worked in Belgium. Moving to Hasselt saves us thousands per year — but the Belgian tax return is a story in itself.
Read story
Fleur (28)
Rotterdam → Antwerpen
As a marketer I found in Antwerp a vibrant city with lower rents and more character than Rotterdam. The Belgian bureaucracy took some getting used to.
Read story
Bas & Linda (36)
Eindhoven → Gent
With two children aged 4 and 7 we moved to Gent. Flemish education is excellent, the Groeipakket generous, and the city perfect for families.
Read story
Marcel (43)
Amsterdam → Brussel
Setting up a BV in the Netherlands took three weeks. In Belgium it became a BVBA — now BV — and cost me two months, a notary and lots of patience. But the Brussels market is worth it.
Read story
Henk & Corrie (64)
Breda → Turnhout
After 40 years in Breda we wanted peace and space. Turnhout offers that — plus affordable housing, good healthcare and our state pension transfers seamlessly.
Read story
Sanne (26)
Nijmegen → Leuven
I came to Leuven for my master's, and stayed for the job, the city and the Belgian lifestyle. Student life opened doors I hadn't expected.
Read story
Thomas (34)
Den Haag → Brussel
From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague to the European Commission in Brussels. The salary is tax-free, but Belgian bureaucracy fully applies to your private life.
Read story
Lisa (31)
Utrecht → Brugge
I opened a brunch café in Bruges. Tourists bring revenue, locals bring warmth, and Belgian hospitality permits gave me grey hairs.
Read story
Daan & Sofie (38)
Tilburg → Mechelen
Sofie is Belgian, I'm Dutch. After years in Tilburg we chose her hometown Mechelen. The move was easier than expected — except the tax return.
Read story
Miranda (41)
Groningen → Luik
As a linguist I deliberately chose French-speaking Belgium. The Université de Liège offered a research position that didn't exist in the Netherlands. Learning French as an adult was the biggest challenge.
Read story
Kevin (29)
Almere → Genk
As a software developer I earned well in the Netherlands, but buying a house was impossible. In Genk I bought a new-build home and work remotely for the same company.
Read story
Annemarie (37)
Leiden → Kortrijk
As a single mother with two children the Netherlands was financially unsustainable. In Kortrijk I found affordable rent, the Groeipakket and a warm social safety net.
Read story
Rob (45)
Amsterdam → Gent
Amsterdam became too expensive for artists. In Ghent I found affordable studio space, a thriving art scene and the Flemish artist status guaranteeing a basic income.
Read story
Jan-Willem (52)
Bergen op Zoom → Antwerpen
For twenty years I commuted daily from Bergen op Zoom to Antwerp. Eventually I asked myself: why am I still driving back? Now I live where I work.
Read story
Priya (33)
Den Haag → Brussel
From an international organization in The Hague to a human rights NGO in Brussels. The city is a melting pot of diplomats, activists and EU lobbyists.
Read story
Gerrit (48)
Enschede → Tongeren
Work pressure in Dutch healthcare drove me to Belgium. In Tongeren I work as a nurse with better employment conditions, lower workload and more appreciation.
Read story
Eva (35)
Haarlem → Namen
As a UX designer I work remotely for a London agency. In Namur I bought a house with garden for half the Haarlem price, but had to learn French and apply for Belgian self-employed status.
Read story
Frank & Els (68)
Arnhem → Bergen (Mons)
We sought tranquility, culture and affordable living. Mons in Hainaut gave us all of that — plus a cultural life that surprised us.
Read story
Youssef (39)
Rotterdam → Brussel
As an economics teacher I switched to a European School in Brussels. The salary is higher, classes more international and workload lower than in Dutch education.
Read story
Marloes (22)
Amersfoort → Leuven
Rejected by lottery for medicine in the Netherlands, but admitted in Leuven. The Flemish entrance exam was tough, but tuition is lower and the education world-class.
Read story
Rick (30)
Venlo → Hasselt
As a chef I earned too little in the Netherlands for the hours I worked. In Hasselt I work in a Michelin-starred restaurant with better conditions and a culinary culture that takes cooking seriously.
Read story
Claudia & Marie (40)
Nijmegen → Leuven
As a lesbian couple with a daughter we moved to Leuven. Belgium fully recognizes our marriage, adoption rights are equal and Leuven is surprisingly progressive.
Read story
Pieter (75)
Delft → Brugge
After my wife passed away I wanted a fresh start. Bruges was our favorite city — now I live here, walk along the canals and enjoy my pension in a city that feels like a painting.
Read story
Nienke & Joris (27)
Eindhoven → Antwerpen
We moved our fintech startup from Eindhoven to Antwerp. The Belgian startup ecosystem offers better subsidies, and Antwerp is a perfect base for the Benelux.
Read story
Herman (55)
Roosendaal → Sint-Niklaas
After 25 years of teaching in the Netherlands I switched to Flemish education. Better salary, less bureaucracy and an education culture that respects the teacher.
Read story