10 Simple rules of Belgian business etiquette and work culture

Learn the ins and outs of Belgian business etiquette and culture before getting a job there.

Angelina

4 minute read

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Updated on 19 Sep 2024

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Working

Belgium is a destination for exciting job opportunities and great work-life balance, where 4-day work weeks and flex-time have become the norm. No wonder more than 220,000 expats moved to Belgium to boost their careers!

But did you know that business cultures in Belgium vary greatly depending on the region, industry and company itself? Not only will you see different mindsets but also different business etiquette across Belgium.

So, before you get down to applying for your dream job, make sure to do some research on the company. That way, you’ll know what company fits your personality and how to behave when interviewing for a position.

As for general rules and tips, we’ve got you covered!

Before anything else, learn about the Belgian culture and linguistic divide. That’s essential if you plan to move to Belgium. And even more so if you’re going to look for a job at a Belgian company.

Belgium has 3 official languages: Dutch, French and German.

It’s not only languages that differ from region to region but also work and company cultures.

For instance, Flemings are slightly less hierarchical than Walloons. Flemish workers prefer leaders who consider their opinions and delegate tasks. In contrast, Walloons believe in a strict hierarchy. The relations between managers and subordinates are very formal and the management team makes all decisions without consulting with others.

Someone’s job title and the office size signify importance for Walloons, while Flemings find a good salary more valuable than status.

When meeting Belgians for the first time or in a formal context, greet them with a gentle, brief handshake. Accompany it with your name and a ‘nice to meet you.’ Bonus points if you say that in their language; enchanté in French or aangenaam in Dutch.

When you know someone well, you may greet them with 1 cheek kiss (Flemish Belgians) or 3 kisses (Francophones). Though, many Flemings might prefer a handshake. It’s a safe bet to let the Belgian lead, to avoid confusion.

When conducting business, Belgians typically use the formal pronoun vous/u to address each other. Don’t use the informal tu/je or the first names, unless suggested. Instead, stick to Monsieur/Madame in French or Meneer/Mevrouw in Dutch and their last name. Otherwise, go for English versions such as Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms.

While small talk is a good way to ease into a business meeting, read the room and avoid sensitive topics. Conversations about politics, earnings, religion, racial minorities, and appearance might be considered rude. Especially avoid any discussions about the Flemish and Walloon conflict and negative sentiments about their linguistic divisions and the country.

Safe topics to talk about during a work meeting could be culture, food, drink and sports. It could score you bonus points to demonstrate your knowledge of Belgium, but do so gently and see if they’re interested in the discussion. Always be modest and don’t try to show off.

Keep in mind that Flemish might be a bit more straightforward than Walloons. They often prefer to keep small talk to a minimum.

Belgians are known for their good work-life balance, which often means that they don’t mix business with their private life. So, avoid discussing your personal affairs during business meetings and don’t call your Belgian colleagues outside working hours. In fact, for employers, calling their subordinates in their off-time is illegal!

Drinks after work aren’t very common. And if you do meet up with your colleagues for a beer, the conversations can be anything but work-related.

In Belgium, punctuality is key. You should always schedule meetings at least a few days in advance and come on time. If you’re delayed, make sure you call with an explanation and an estimate of your arrival.

According to Hofstede insights, Belgium has relatively high power distance and very high uncertainty avoidance indexes. This means that Belgians need a lot of structure and hierarchy, and it takes a great deal of time to implement a change within a company. Belgians can be reserved and hesitant to new ideas. They need to engage in long, considerate discussions before reaching a consensus.

When negotiating or suggesting ideas, always back up your suggestions with facts and logical reasoning. Have some patience and don’t let your emotions get in the way. Although Flemings tend to be more direct than Walloons, both might consider the confrontational and passionate approach as rude. Diplomacy, compromise, and conflict avoidance are some of the intrinsic Belgian traits.

In some cultures, it’s pretty normal to send gifts to a partner or client. However, it’s not as common in Belgium and might make your business associates feel uncomfortable.

But if you really want to bring a small treat from your home country, you can. Just make sure your gift is very modest and doesn’t contain your company logo or business card.

Many Belgian companies give their employees end-of-the-year gifts as a sign of appreciation. It’s polite to open the gift straight away and say ‘thank you’, of course.

Belgians are quite reserved in their body language too. It’s polite to maintain eye contact and smile, but keep physical gestures to a minimum.

As in any culture, certain things will be regarded particularly rude. So, to avoid misunderstanding, follow these simple rules:

• don’t keep your hands in your pockets when talking to someone
• don’t snap your fingers to get someone’s attention
• don’t point with your index finger
• don’t use the OK sign (where you make a circle with your index finger and thumb), show thumbs up instead
• take off your sunglasses when talking to someone

The general rule is that you should dress up for business meetings and job interviews in Belgium. Belgians are rather conservative, so go for smart casual attire in muted colours.

In modern companies, jeans and t-shirts are perfectly acceptable office wear, while more traditional companies have a formal dress code.

Once you understand Belgian business culture and nail the principles of Belgian business etiquette, you can go ahead and apply for a job or internship in one of the popular expat cities. Don’t forget to research each company and figure out your visa requirements beforehand.