Effective HR outsourcing in Belgium for US and UK companies

Expand into Belgium effortlessly

The early stages of planning an expansion into Belgium are exciting, but things can quickly become daunting. You may find yourself overwhelmed by the workload associated with European expansion of your UK or US business.

It doesn’t have to be this daunting, because you don’t have to do it all by yourself.

Expanding into Belgium will be so much easier when you outsource your HR services to an experienced European HR team. At Europe HR Solutions, our multilingual team of human resources experts will walk you through your move into Europe and make sure that you are fully compliant with Belgian and European labor laws.

Why are US and UK businesses expanding into Belgium?

Belgium is an attractive site for US and UK companies for many reasons, including its ideal location in Europe and its skilled, multilingual workforce. Business owners in the US and the UK are eyeing Belgium as the site of their expansion into Europe.

There are already more than 900 US businesses operating in Belgium, and more than 17,000 UK-owned businesses in the country.

Belgium is well-positioned for accessing the rest of Europe.

Located in the heart of Europe, Belgium serves as a gateway to the EU market. It is close to many major European cities, making it an attractive choice for companies that want to access a broader customer base and establish a presence in the EU market.

Belgium has a stable and developed economy. 

Opening a European arm of your company in a stable business environment like Belgium is an attractive proposition for many UK and US businesses. You will be expanding into a financially reliable and established environment.

The Belgian government is heavily bureaucratic but business-friendly. 

Yes, it can be a challenge to navigate the Belgian bureaucracy (that’s what we’re here for!), but it also has a reputation for being business-friendly, welcoming to entrepreneurs, and great for international investors.

The workforce in Belgium is highly educated and multilingual. 

Belgium has an educated population. More than 40% of Belgians have the equivalent of a university degree. Additionally, many Belgians are bilingual or trilingual, with between 38-55% of the population speaking English as a secondary or tertiary language.

Belgium has great infrastructure. 

From Belgium, you have access to the rest of Europe through the high speed rail system, Europe’s second-largest canal system, and sea ports. Combined, you will have access to trade routes and passenger transportation options. This is great for operations.

Fast growing economic sectors in Belgium

Some of most established and fastest-growing sectors in Belgium are:

  • Cleantech
  • Renewables
  • Food processing
  • Metallurgy
  • Textiles
  • Chemicals
  • Paper
  • Glass
  • Mineral processing of cobalt, radium, copper, zinc, and lead

The risks of opening a business in Belgium

There are always risks with expanding your business into another country or region, and Belgium is no exception.

Before expanding into the Belgian market, you should be aware of the following risks:

  • High corporate tax rates
  • High labor costs
  • Legal bureaucracy
  • Normal economic risks that accompany an expansion
How does HR outsourcing work in Belgium?

How does HR outsourcing work in Belgium?

Europe HR Solutions offers customizable HR services plans that meet your specific needs. If your company is opening a branch in Belgium, we can handle as much or as little as you would like!

Here is a non-exhaustive list of HR tasks that companies often choose to outsource to a professional HR team.

HR Consulting

  • Comprehensive consulting services on a regular or as-needed basis
  • Expert advice on HR strategies that align with Belgium’s business environment
  • Insights for in-house HR teams (clear, useable data and strategy)

HR Compliance & Legal Support

  • Everything you need to be fully compliant with Belgium’s complex labor laws
  • Reduce your risk of fines and legal problems
  • Employment contracts that are aligned with Belgian labor law and workplace culture

Recruitment & Talent Acquisition

  • Find exceptional talent in your expansion location (Belgium)
  • Complete understanding of the Belgian job market
  • Multilingual support to ensure that you are attracting top-tier candidates

Employee Onboarding & Offboarding

  • Streamline all onboarding processes
  • Create strong documentation for new employees
  • Comply with mandatory employment reporting in Belgium and the EU
  • Follow Belgium’s mandatory exit procedures for offboarding employees

Training & Development

  • Identify any gaps in your training systems
  • Use information about the local workforce to tailor your training & development courses
  • Identify specific skills that need to be developed in your workforce

Employee Engagement & Retention

  • Design engagement initiatives that are aligned with your Belgian workforce
  • Identify reasons for employee attrition
  • Promote a positive workplace culture
  • Reduce employee turnover

Performance Management

  • Use knowledge of local culture to implement effective performance appraisal systems
  • Set objectives for high levels of performance
  • Provide meaningful employee feedback
  • Effectively manage employee improvement plans

Employee Relations & Conflict Resolution

  • Mediate conflicts between employees, supervisors, and all others
  • Address grievances when they occur
  • Resolve any additional workplace conflicts or issues

Payroll Processing & Benefits Administration

  • Payroll processing with full adherence to Belgian tax regulations
  • Timely payments to employees
  • Benefits management (employee enrollment, communication with local providers, etc

HR Reporting & Analytics

  • Detailed HR reporting to the parent company in the UK or US
  • Actionable insights regarding the company’s Belgian employees
  • Provide excellent information for data-driven decisions

HR Technology & Systems

  • Support the implementation and integration of HR software
  • Ensure that the company is fully compliant with the very serious Belgian and European data protection regulations
  • Comply with any local, national, and European reporting requirements related to technology

Although this list is not comprehensive, it is an excellent starting point. When you reach out to Europe HR Solutions, we can go through these options – and more – to determine what your needs are and how we can help you get established in Belgium.

HR Solutions in Belgium

FAQs About Expanding to Belgium

Over the past 20+ years, Europe HR Solutions has been instrumental in assisting over 200 US and UK companies in establishing new operations, executing acquisitions, and launching startups in Europe. With our extensive experience, we have encountered and addressed numerous inquiries related to HR outsourcing throughout the years!

What are the biggest challenges that come with expanding into Belgium?

Undoubtedly, one of the biggest challenges that companies face when expanding into Belgium is navigating the country’s complex labor laws and compliance issues. 

When you outsource your HR services, it protects you from expensive and time-consuming mistakes related to Belgian and EU law.

What labor laws do I need to anticipate in Belgium?

When you open your business in Belgium, you will ultimately be responsible for three sets of laws: the labor laws of your own country, the laws of the EU, and the laws of Belgium.

  • Probationary employment periods are prohibited.
  • Belgium’s minimum wage is among the highest in Europe at €1,955 per month.
  • In most circumstances, Belgian employees may not work more than 8 hours each day or 40 hours per week.
  • It is common for contracts to limit the work week to 38 hours.
  • Overtime is severely limited by law.
  • Employees may never go over 11 hours per day or 50 hours per week.
  • Employers may not require their employees to work more than 78 hours of overtime in a 3 month period.
  • There is a maximum of 91 overtime hours permitted each year.
  • Recent employee protections include a “right to be offline,” which means that employees are not required or expected to respond to messages they receive during non-working hours.
  • Flexible working is popular, and employees are permitted to work four full-time days per week instead of five (the employer may refuse these requests as long as they have a written justification for the refusal).
  • Employees have holiday entitlement that is equivalent to 24 days for every 12 months of work.
  • Any employees under 25 with a university degree receive a youth holiday.
  • Employees over the age of 50 are still provided with holiday leave, even if they were unable to work the entirety of the year.

Although this is nowhere near comprehensive, it should reveal just how different the laws in Belgium may be in comparison to what you are accustomed to.

The Benefits of Working with Europe HR Solutions

Europe HR Solutions offers comprehensive multilingual HR support, seamlessly bridging the gap between your US or UK enterprise and your endeavors in Belgium. 

With a demonstrated history of successful partnerships with US and UK clients, we have the expertise to expedite your expansion into Belgium, safeguarding you from costly fines resulting from errors and optimizing your time management. 

We adeptly manage the intricate HR systems network, freeing you to concentrate on other crucial aspects of your expansion.

Are you ready to launch in Belgium?

Contact Europe HR Solutions to learn more about how we can support your launch in Belgium.

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    Our Client Testimonials

    We are proud to have worked with numerous UK- and US-based businesses as they have started their operations in Europe, including startups, acquisitions, and expansions.

    Here is what some of them have to say:

    Maham Zafar
    Our experience with Europe HR Solutions has been nothing short of exceptional. As an international company, ensuring HR compliance across ...
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    Maham Zafar
    Our experience with Europe HR Solutions has been nothing short of exceptional. As an international company, ensuring HR compliance across various regions is a complex challenge, and Europe HR Solutions has proven to be an invaluable partner in navigating this intricate landscape.From the outset, their team demonstrated a deep understanding of the complexities associated with international HR regulations. Their expertise in local labor laws and regulations has not only ensured our company's compliance but has also provided us with peace of mind knowing that we are in safe hands.
    Maham Zafar
    Maham Zafar
    Paul Grafham
    Europe HR Solutions has consistently delivered high quality work in all of the projects that she has been involved in. ...
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    Paul Grafham
    Europe HR Solutions has consistently delivered high quality work in all of the projects that she has been involved in. The professional approach that they display is combined with a very personable manner, which has helped integrate them into the AngioDynamics team, and their expertise has assisted significantly in the growth of the international business. I would not hesitate to recommend Europe HR Solutions and the consultancy services offered, and believe they would be an asset to any organisation.
    Melanie Girardin
    Europe HR Solutons is my go to organization for anything related to employment matters in the Dutch market. They are ...
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    Melanie Girardin
    Europe HR Solutons is my go to organization for anything related to employment matters in the Dutch market. They are one of the most talented and efficient HR professionals I've ever met. This is a great pleasure to work with them. They are creative problem solvers, and trustworthy Advisors. Their recommendations are well thought out and clearly articulated. I give them my highest recommendation, without reservation.
    Juanita Hendrickson
    Europe HR Solutions has an excellent team of experts and/or front-line resources who have deep expertise across Europe. We ...
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    Juanita Hendrickson
    Europe HR Solutions has an excellent team of experts and/or front-line resources who have deep expertise across Europe. We successfully utilized many of the resources on this team to help us sort through a number of complex issues in The Netherlands, Germany, UK, Belgium, etc. Inez and her team are agile, speedy, and pragmatic in their HR approach and quickly became trusted advisors and partners with our Epredia HR team and managers.
    Juanita Hendrickson
    Juanita Hendrickson
    Hanna Czarnecka-Nagy
    I'm thrilled to recommend HR Europe Solutions for their outstanding international employment law advice services. My experiences with their teams ...
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    Hanna Czarnecka-Nagy
    I'm thrilled to recommend HR Europe Solutions for their outstanding international employment law advice services. My experiences with their teams in France, the Netherlands, and Germany have been fantastic, and I'm confident their expertise will be a huge asset to anyone needing comprehensive legal guidance on a global scale.Navigating the complexities of international employment law can be daunting, but HR Europe Solutions made it smooth and manageable. Their ability to offer tailored advice that considers the specific legal contexts of multiple countries has been incredibly valuable.In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend HR Europe Solutions to anyone seeking expert international employment law advice. Their deep expertise, exceptional communication, and client-focused approach make them a standout service provider in this field.
    Hanna Czarnecka-Nagy
    Hanna Czarnecka-Nagy
    Anouck Cerdan Boillat
    I've been using Europe HR Solutions in countries where the team size doesn't justify hiring a local HR professional, allowing ...
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    Anouck Cerdan Boillat
    I've been using Europe HR Solutions in countries where the team size doesn't justify hiring a local HR professional, allowing us to maintain a lean HR organization. This solution has been fantastic, offering a high level of expertise. Not only do I benefit from exceptional support, but the HR consultants also provide valuable insights into best practices. The team is engaged, available, and knowledgeable. I highly recommend their services to any company seeking top-quality HR support.
    Anouck Cerdan Boillat
    Anouck Cerdan Boillat
    Gloria Aznar
    Thanks to Inez, I have gained more insight into how I can achieve my goals. She penetrates directly into the ...
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    Gloria Aznar
    Thanks to Inez, I have gained more insight into how I can achieve my goals. She penetrates directly into the heart of the matter and she will help you out in finding the solution for your challenge. Inez has taught me to look at my challenges from another perspective. She thinks with you and offers a framework to explore and to achieve your true desires. She supports you in discovering your own potential through making you aware of your inner dimensions. She is pleasant, professional and asks critical questions. Through the transformative coaching process, I have learned several techniques on how to further explore and discover my potential. This coaching process has transformed me in such a way that I feel more confident and peaceful to reach my goals, pledges and purpose.
    Scott Rude
    Europe HR Solutions are talented, experienced and creative professionals. When we needed expertise in the European market for our personnel ...
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    Scott Rude
    Europe HR Solutions are talented, experienced and creative professionals. When we needed expertise in the European market for our personnel needs we experienced exceptional service and insight from them. They know the market and have the resources/network to get answers to the tough issues facing a U.S. company like ours, who does not have a core competency in Europe. Europe HR Solutions has my highest respect and appreciation for their service to our company. I would be glad to provide insight on their skills at any time. Scott Rudi, snrude@yahoo.com
    Katie Rink
    Inez and her team at Europe HR Solutions are a delight to work with. I first met Inez back...
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    Katie Rink
    Inez and her team at Europe HR Solutions are a delight to work with. I first met Inez back in 2015, and at that time, she helped me navigate hiring my Company’s 1st employee in the Netherlands. In 2024, I found myself in a similar situation, and once again, I needed guidance to help navigate employment law, this time in France and Germany. Inez was quick to respond, easy to schedule time with, and she did a fabulous job listening/learning about my Company’s current state and our need. Quickly, she connected me with the country specific consultants from her team, who were both personable and knowledgeable, and I look forward to the next time I get to reach out to them again. Inez and her team are amazing resources that I am lucky to have as part of my network.
    Rebecca Richardson
    I had the pleasure of working with Inez Vermeulen and her exceptional team at Europe HR Solutions, and I cannot ...
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    Rebecca Richardson
    I had the pleasure of working with Inez Vermeulen and her exceptional team at Europe HR Solutions, and I cannot recommend them highly enough. Over the course of several projects, I collaborated with many team members, and every single one of them exhibited a high level of professionalism, expertise, and approachability.From the outset, Inez and her team demonstrated an impressive depth of knowledge in HR solutions, which was instrumental in helping me achieve my project goals. Their commitment to delivering high-quality work is evident in every interaction, and they consistently go above and beyond to ensure the success of their clients.One of the standout qualities of Europe HR Solutions is their approachability. No matter the complexity of the issue, I always felt comfortable reaching out to any team member. Their willingness to listen, provide insightful feedback, and offer practical solutions has been invaluable. This approach fosters a collaborative environment that makes working with them both productive and enjoyable.The dedication of Inez and her team to their clients' success is unparalleled. Their proactive approach and unwavering support have been crucial in navigating the challenges of various projects. I have been consistently impressed by their ability to deliver results on time and with the highest standard of quality.Without hesitation, I would work with Inez Vermeulen and her team at Europe HR Solutions again. Their expertise, combined with their friendly and supportive nature, makes them an outstanding choice for any HR needs. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable and knowledgeable HR partner.
    Rebecca Richardson
    Rebecca Richardson
    Check out our testimonials page to hear from more of our happy and satisfied clients! 

    Why choose Europe HR Solutions?

    Speed
    Our HR services professionals can start immediately and send answers to your needs within 24 hours or less.

    Immediately Operational & High Quality
    Our human resources consultants in Europe have many years of expertise. Our team will be able to help you immediately with your questions and projects.

    Flexibility
    We are HR experts who serve on an ad hoc basis, interim basis, project and retainer basis from a few weeks, months up to several years.

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