Living and working in Benelux

Have you considered relocating to a new country for a job? It might sound like a big move, but if you choose the right location you can find better job opportunities and explore a new culture. If Benelux isn’t on your radar then let us tell you why these neighbouring countries could be the perfect place for you to take your career.

The Benelux Union refers to the economic union between Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Benelux now has a population of 27,562,220, but it started out much smaller when it was formed in 1944. The aim of the union was to strengthen ties between the three countries, encourage the production of good and services, and boost the labour market.

Aside from being home to some of the most picturesque places in the world, Benelux also has fantastic job opportunities. Read on to learn more about living and working in Benelux.

Living in Benelux

The World Happiness Report 2021 places all three Benelux countries in the top 20. The list ranks countries based on the wellbeing of their residents. So what makes the Benelux such a great place to live?

Belgium is a centre for political activity and is a very progressive country in terms of its gender, LGBT and minority rights. And if art, music, chocolate and beer are things you like to enjoy, you’ll love Belgium.

Luxembourg is one of the smallest countries in Europe, with a population of around 626,000, yet almost 50% are expats . What is it about this country that draws so many foreigners? There are over 100 medieval castles scattered across Luxembourg which make the famous hiking routes that more scenic. When you want to venture that little bit further you could not be in a better spot. Luxembourg is right in the heart of Western Europe, making it the perfect base if you like to travel.

The Netherlands is also known to be a top location for internationals. As with the other Benelux countries, the nationals here speak perfect English and like to include everyone in their many traditions. And if you like to get around by bike, you could not find a better country than the Netherlands.

This just covers the reasons to live in the Benelux, but how about the reasons to work there?

Working in the Benelux

Luxembourg is the third richest country in the world based on GDP per capita. It will come as no surprise then that the salaries in Luxembourg are amongst the highest. And if a good work-life balance is one of your top career motivators, then Belgium could be the perfect fit for you. Like the other Benelux nations, business leaders in Belgium are supportive of flexible working initiatives. Before the pandemic, working from home was on the rise around the globe, and this shift is one of the reasons why the OECD ranks the Netherlands third in terms of countries with the best work-life balance.

A recent McKinsey report identified that Benelux’s biotechnology market is worth €19 billion, and it is on track to become Europe’s leading biotech hub. There is a lot of activity in the wider life sciences market too, and Benelux boasts an impressive infrastructure that continues to attract more investment from global life sciences companies. All this makes the region a prime place to take your life sciences career .

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