Moving tips and handy facts

Moving Tips and Handy Facts Booklet

Preparations

Prepare for your move in good time. Use the Dockx moving checklist, read through the list, add your own personal notes and fill in all the important data for the moving process. This will get you well on your way.

Book your moving day. Keep in mind that moving during the weekend and at the end of the month are the busiest moving periods.

Make sure you have enough moving boxes. An average of 25 to 30 moving boxes are needed for a small amount of household items and 45 to 50 for a large amount. Go to www.dockx-rental.be for information about all the types of moving boxes and moving materials such as packing paper, bubble wrap, adhesive tape for boxes/furniture.

Start packing the things you no longer need early. Take any items you want to get rid of to the recycling collection facility or to the charity shop.

Number all of the boxes and make a list of their contents. You can purchase stickers from us to mark in which room the boxes should be placed. It’s possible that multiple people will be handling your boxes.

No time to pack or move yourself? Contact the full service moving team at Dockx Movers at least 2 weeks in advance.

Remember to think about space in your new house for bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles, playground equipment, washing machine, dryer, etc.

Provide sufficient parking space for the moving van. Be sure to apply to the municipality for a no-parking zone permit so you can move with the least amount of hindrance from traffic.

Download the Moving Tips Booklet Moving tips_and handy facts booklet

Declare main domicile

Your main domicile is the place where you spend the majority of your time during the year.

Are you moving?

Then you must inform the registry office at the municipality within 8 days after moving. Even when you are moving within the same municipality. The municipality can charge a fine if you forget this. One of the adults in the family can register for the entire family.
After registering a local police constable will come by to confirm that you are actually living at the address given.
Then you must have your identity card and driving license updated with the correct details at the registry office.
Inform all institutions and businesses of your new address. (see moving checklist)

Government subsidies

If your income is low you may be eligible for a rental subsidy when moving. Each Region has two types of subsidies: a one-off installation subsidy and a monthly rental subsidy.

More info: https://www.belgium.be/nl/huisvesting/verhuizen/premies_en_tegemoetkomingen

Moving to a foreign country?

Contact the relevant embassy in Belgium. There, they will provide you with information about residence documents, local taxes, social security, school choice for your children, …
Inform the municipality where you are currently living before your move. Once you have arrived at your destination, it is best to register at the local Belgian embassy. After registration, you will receive a new identity card.
Be sure to ask for sufficient information about your fiscal situation and the changes that will affect you in the area of social security. For more information, check the Belgian government’s website, www.belgium.be.
Would you like to hire a professional moving company for your move to a foreign country? Then contact Dockx Movers.

More info: https://www.belgium.be/nl/huisvesting/verhuizen/naar_het_buitenland/

Moving to Belgium?

What about moving personal possessions? What about taxes and social security? You must prepare all of this well in advance.

Are you Belgian? Have you lived abroad and are planning to return to Belgium?

If you are registered at an embassy or consulate and are returning to Belgium indefinitely then it is important to inform them before your move.
Register at the registry office of your municipality within 8 days of arrival.
After registering a local police constable will come by to see if you actually are living at the address given.
Then you must have your identity card and driving license updated with the correct details at the registry office.

Questions about residency, work, courses, education, living, health, PCSW (OCMW) or finances? www.newintown.be can provide an answer.

Are you a foreign national and want to move to Belgium?

Make sure your residence documents are in order. The residence procedure for foreigners depends on nationality as well as the length of and reason for staying in Belgium. Questions about residency, work, courses, education, living, health, PCSW (OCMW) or finances? www.newintown.be can provide an answer.

More info:
https://www.belgium.be/nl/huisvesting/verhuizen/naar_belgie/
http://www.belgium.be/nl/huisvesting/verhuizen/naar_belgie/buitenlanders/

Would you like to hire a professional moving company for your move to Belgium? Contact us. Our advisers are happy to help.

Moving with children

Remember that every child reacts differently to a move. Involve your children in the entire moving process and the move will be a success.

Do you have very young children?

Inform the school and teachers.
Tell your children about the move and their new home. Visit the new house and neighbourhood together. With very young children, this is best done when the move is becoming more concrete.
Young children need stability. Make sure the new bedroom feels safe and familiar so your child can adapt easily.
Inform the parents of your children’s friends.
Let your children help with the move. Get the Dockx Kids Movers moving boxes. They can pack all their stuffed animals and toys in these boxes. And there is also a house box. They can colour the outside of the box and use it as a playhouse later.
Have the children send a change-of-address card to their friends. Dockx Movers has change-of-address cards especially for children.
Organise a welcome party after the move for the children’s friends. Make sure your children become directly involved in the new environment and that they see that they can still keep in touch with their old friends.

Are your children a bit older?

Involve them in the move:

Talk about the advantages and possible disadvantages in advance.
Ask their opinion and try to take it into account. Make sure you get their support and involvement.
Organise a farewell party for their friends.
Let them pack their own things.
Ask if they have friends who might want to help. Remind them to give their new address to any clubs or organisations they are involved in.
Ask if they want to organise a welcome party for their friends (and of course the helpers) after the move.

Interested?

Our advisers are happy to help.