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Opening an account is generally a quick and simple process in Belgium. Banks usually require only your passport or other identification in order to open a current account (compte à vue/zichtrekening).

You can even open an account online without having to set foot in a bank. It will be anything from a few days to two weeks before you receive the various transfer forms, cards, code numbers and passwords necessary to manage your account.

You can receive statements as often as you like, e.g. monthly, weekly or even daily if you want to keep a close check on your account. There is, of course, a charge for this service and the more frequently you want statements, the more expensive it will be. If you don’t specify otherwise, you will normally receive one or two statements per month. You can also use your bank card or Internet connection to review your account balance and check recent transactions at any time.
Savings Accounts

In addition to a current account, you can open several different types of savings accounts with most banks. Your employer may also offer a form of tax protected savings account at your own or another local bank. Belgium exempts a certain amount of savings account interest from income taxes, and there’s a variety of savings plans available designed to permit you to save money for a deposit on a house.

With deposit accounts (term deposits) you must be prepared to invest for a period of up to 12 months, and some employer-related savings plans require you to invest for several years before you can make withdrawals. In general, the longer the term, the higher the return. You receive a pass book for a savings account, where all deposits and withdrawals are recorded. Under some employer savings plans, you must take your pass book to the bank every few months to have the balance updated, or wait until the end of the year to receive your tax documents, telling you how much interest has been added to your account.

Banking is a major industry in Belgium, and there’s no shortage of banks to choose from. Belgium claims to have the largest number of bank branches per capita of any country in the world.

The banks in the region have long led the world in the field of electronic banking, and there are few transactions you can’t do either from an ATM (automatic teller machine) or from your home computer. Banks offer a wide range of services, including personal and commercial banking, investment and insurance services, and personal, commercial and mortgage loans. Most larger banks have websites containing information about the services they offer, including online banking, and in some cases application forms.

Despite the spread of electronic banking, it’s still necessary to have at least a current account (compte à vue/zichtrekening) in your country of residence, as cross-border bank transactions can be expensive and complicated, even when everything is denominated in euros. Online banking, using bank-supplied software or via the Internet, is gaining in popularity, but only in Belgium are there ‘genuine’ e-banks (banks operating entirely online, where you can open an account from the comfort of your home and never actually see your banker). Some online banks offer a full range of investment and loan services, complete with downloadable application forms (e.g. Fortis Bank, http://www.fortisbank.be/home-FR/).

Personal accounts are generally more expensive in Belgium than in the UK or USA. You should expect to pay between €50 and €100 per year for a standard current account that includes debit and credit cards, plus ATMs and Internet banking facilities. Banks usually charge for every service separately, as well as for each transaction, although they may offset charges by paying a (very small) rate of interest on your average account balance each month (provided you remain in credit). Most banks offer a variety of ‘package programmes’ which include the fees for the various bank cards, online banking access, a number of transactions at bank machines and often some form of account insurance, all for a single annual fee.

You can arrange to receive bank statements at regular intervals (daily, monthly, quarterly or annually) or to pick them up at your branch (in which case you avoid being charged a mailing fee plus postage) or simply print them at a bank machine or from your home computer (and not be charged at all). Bank fees are usually deducted directly from your account either quarterly or at the end of the year.

Traditionally there have been three major banks in Belgium, although recent buy-outs and mergers have changed some of the names, which are currently Fortis Banque/Fortis Bank (formerly Générale de Banque/Generale Bank), Banque Bruxelles Lambert/Bank Brussel Lambert and Kredietbank. Bank account numbers are standardised in Belgium, the first few digits indicating the bank and branch to which the account belongs.

Opening HoursMost banks are open from 9am to 4 or 4.30pm Mondays to Fridays and a few are open on Saturdays. Many smaller branches close for an hour at lunchtime (usually 1 to 2pm).

No doubt you would like to try to estimate how far your euros will stretch and how much money (if any) you will have left after paying your bills.Inflation in Italy in 2003 was around 2.4 per cent and the country has enjoyed a relatively stable and strong economy in recent years. Salaries are generally reasonable and Italy has a high standard of living, although the combined burden of social security, income tax and indirect taxes make Italian taxes among the highest in the European Union (EU).

Anyone planning to live in Italy, particularly retirees, should take care not to underestimate the cost of living, which has increased considerably in the last decade. Italy is a relatively expensive country by American standards, and it’s one of the most expensive countries in the EU, although there’s a huge disparity between the cost and standard of living in the prosperous north and central regions of Italy, and the relatively poor south.

Luxury and quality products are expensive, as are cars, but wine and spirits are inexpensive. Food costs almost twice as much in Italy as it does in the US, but is similar overall to most other western European countries, although you may need to modify your diet. However, you should be wary of cost of living comparisons with other countries, which are often wildly inaccurate and usually include irrelevant items which distort the results.

It’s difficult to calculate an average cost of living in Italy, as it depends on your circumstances and lifestyle. It’s possible to live frugally in Italy if you’re willing to forego luxuries and live off the land. Shopping for selected ‘luxury’ items (such as stereo equipment, electrical and electronic goods, computers, and photographic equipment) abroad can also yield significant savings.

A list of the approximate minimum monthly major expenses for an average single person, couple and family with two children is shown in the table below. If you work in Italy, you must also take into account social security contributions and income tax. The numbers in brackets refer to the notes following the table.

NOTES

1. Rent or mortgage payments for a modern or modernised apartment or house in an average suburb, excluding major cities and other high-cost areas. The properties envisaged are a studio or one-bedroom apartment for a single person, a two-bedroom property for a couple and a three-bedroom property for a couple with two children.
2. Doesn’t include luxuries or liquid food (alcohol).
3. Includes electricity, gas, water, telephone, pay (satellite) TV and heating costs.
4. Includes all entertainment, restaurant meals, sports and holiday expenses, plus newspapers and magazines.
5. Includes running costs for an average family car, plus third party insurance, annual taxes, petrol, servicing and repairs, but excludes depreciation or credit purchase costs.
6. Includes ‘voluntary’ insurance such as private health insurance, household, third party liability, travel, car breakdown and life insurance.