Expats in the Vlaamse Rand

Introduction

As a result of its multiple capital functions, Brussels has evolved into a metropolis with a cosmopolitan character, with over one hundred different languages being spoken. Its role as an international political and economic centre of power ensures the presence of a large number of (inter)national decision-making bodies, international organisations, and multinational headquarters and an estimated 160,000 foreign employees or so-called expats. The impact of Brussels’ international role can also be felt in the surrounding municipalities, where international institutions, companies and their workforces also settle.<

Brussels as a pole of attractionan

As the location of the principal seats of European institutions and the headquarters of international organisations such as NATO, Brussels acts as a major pole of attraction for other governmental and non-governmental organisations that establish their headquarters in the city and for foreign companies that want to be near decision-making powers in order to develop their activities. Brussels is only overtaken by Washington D.C. in the list of international political metropolises with high concentrations of embassies and consulates (over 150) and the presence of an estimated 5,200 diplomats, 1,100 journalists and between 15,000 and 20,000 lobbyists.² Approximately 40,000 people are employed by the European institutions. In addition, the almost 300 regional representations, 2,500 other international institutions, over 2,000 international companies and 150 international law firms account for thousands of jobs. If one adds logistics services (relocation agents and translators) and other secondary activities, then the number of expats in Brussels and the Vlaamse Rand (the Flemish municipalities around Brussels) is estimated to be between 120,000 and 160,000.³

Definitions of expats

As a rule, the term expats or expatriates refers to highly educated foreign employees that temporarily swap their home country for a host country (alone or with their family). Their stay is usually limited to between three and four years. These are mainly residents of European countries that move to Brussels as a result of their jobs, but they also include employees of companies from the more wealthy Western countries outside of Europe whose company or organisation brings them to Europe. Published literature on the subject assigns this subgroup certain social characteristics. These individuals apparently constitute a well-paid elite with a transnational, cosmopolitan lifestyle who often demonstrate little interest in or build up ties to the local community and who retreat into their private networks. The country of origin, higher education and status also implies that they are different from "regular” migrants that relocated with the intention of looking for a new job and future, and who are expected to quickly integrate in the local community.

Distribution

Expats mainly settle in the Brussels municipalities, but they are also increasingly settling in the Vlaamse Rand. Almost one in ten residents there is a non-Belgian national, but the number of residents with European roots is even greater, given that these figures do not take naturalised Europeans into account.⁴ Not all Europeans in Brussels and the Vlaamse Rand are expats, but their numbers do provide an indication of their impact. In the Brussels-Capital Region, the number of Europeans is estimated at 160,000 and there are approximately an additional 35,000 Europeans that live in the Vlaamse Rand. They generally favour the green, more residential municipalities to the southeast of Brussels.A recent study by Willaert and Koelet into the settlement patterns of Europeans in Brussels and the Vlaamse Rand revealed that western European migrants primarily seek out municipalities in the southeast of Brussels and neighbouring communities in the Vlaamse Rand. The largest groups of western Europeans are found in Kraainem, Tervuren, Wezembeek-Oppem, Overijse and Zaventem, where they account for approximately 20% of the population.⁵ Southern Europeans are found primarily in the northeast (Vilvoorde) and southwest (Sint-Pieters-Leeuw), also in line with distribution patterns in Brussels. The study by Willaert and Koelet also showed that the European presence in the Vlaamse Rand has increased sharply in the last few decades, mainly due to the inflow from the Brussels-Capital Region, but that it consists of a strongly rooted and integrated population. Almost half of the population of European origin was born here and approximately one third of married or cohabiting Europeans in the Vlaamse Rand have a Belgian partner.⁶

^{Percentage of residents that are European nationals (except for Belgians) in municipalities in the Brussels-Capital Region and the Vlaamse Rand, 1961 - 2008}

Reception structures and private networks

The choice of the place of residence is influenced by the proximity of the workplace, by the presence of infrastructure (schools, proximity to an airport, etc.), the green environment and is based on information provided through networks. Foreign companies and organisations take care of receiving and supporting expats themselves to a large extent. Employers sometimes enlist the help of relocation agents as well. These are commercial companies that assist expats in finding a suitable home and school and that facilitate the move and contacts with the authorities and utility companies. Furthermore, there are a number of networks that are involved in receiving newcomers, from the European Commission (Adminfo) to informal networks (service networks, circles of friends, clubs and associations or leisure activities).⁷
The authorities also organise initiatives to provide newcomers with information. Efforts by the Government of Flanders focus on, for example, informing new residents about local structures and customs. Their information campaigns emphasise the municipality’s Flemish character and people who speak another language are encouraged to learn and use the area’s official language.⁸

Expats and language

A recent study was utilised to examine expats’ use of Dutch.9 It revealed that the likelihood of expats being able to speak Dutch depends on their native language and whether they follow a Dutch course or not, and not so much on whether they reside in a Flemish municipality. The duration of their stay also partly determines their proficiency in Dutch. The expats surveyed are often multilingual and combine their native language with English. They are more likely to follow a Dutch course if they are staying for a longer period than if their stay is shorter. Moreover, it appears that the expats surveyed choose the Vlaamse Rand as their place of residence and also stay there for longer than expats in Brussels. The local language is not a decisive factor in selecting their place of residence for expats that come and work in Belgium. The division of our country as well as the language legislation is considered to be a highly complex matter. It is not an economic necessity for the expat community to learn the local language. Nevertheless, it was found that younger expats in particular follow Dutch courses in large numbers. The study also reveals that knowledge of Dutch encourages residents to keep abreast of Dutch-language media and participate in social-cultural life. Overall, there is little identification with the local community and links with the home country take preference.

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An earlier study already revealed that expats develop a rather negative perception of the current Vlaamse Rand.¹⁰ The latter’s policy, focused on supporting its Dutch-language character, is little understood and perceived as negative according to the survey by Rudi Janssens. Residents’ attitudes become more positive if they follow a Dutch course. In general, bilingualism or multilingualism is considered to be positive. This also explains why this group is more inclined to choose a multilingual school and to vote for bilingual lists in elections. Although the expats surveyed said that they want to feel involved in local policy, it appeared once again in recent local elections that only a minority of the foreign electorate registered in order to be able to cast their vote.¹¹

English

The aforementioned survey also provides an overview of language use among expats.¹² English dominates in the Vlaamse Rand, in interaction with friends, neighbours and as well as in the initial contact with the general practitioner or in hospitals. French takes first place in Brussels. English is also used most frequently in the workplace and French appears to be the language used for initial interaction in the street and when shopping.

Joys and burdens

The consequences of Brussels’ European and international vocation and the associated arrival of foreign workforces still evoke mixed feelings. The impact in the Vlaamse Rand exists on several levels. The presence of European institutions and foreign companies constitutes a powerful boost for employment and for (regional) economic growth and prosperity. Salaries are fairly high, which translates into relatively high incomes in the Vlaamse Rand, and the value of property there has risen sharply in recent decades. The effect on prices on the housing market is one of the most commonly cited negative effects.¹³ The fear of social displacement emerges in addition to the pressure on the Flemish character of the region due to the influx of residents who speak other languages in the municipalities.¹⁴ Population forecasts predict that the Vlaamse Rand, just like Brussels, will experience a significant population increase in the years to come, directly and as a result of migrants moving out of Brussels’ municipalities.

FOOTNOTES

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