Moving to Brussels: the restrictions and regulations applicable in different municipalities

When moving to or from Brussels, it’s important to plan everything well in advance, as each of the 19 municipalities that make up the Belgian capital (Forest, Ixelles, Woluwe St-Lambert/St-Pierre, Uccle, etc.) has its own stringent regulations when it comes to changes of address. Whether for the reservation of the removal lorry’s parking space, the temporary relocation of a bus stop or the municipality’s entry and exit tax, the rules vary greatly from one area to another.

Notable examples of rules and formalities when moving to Brussels

Certain of the Belgian capital’s municipalities have variable regulations governing incoming or outgoing removals:

• Woluwe St-Lambert and St-Pierre: a longer reservation period. For moves to Brussels, the average parking reservation deadline is one week before the planned moving date. In these two Woluwe municipalities, this deadline rises to two weeks before your moving day.
• A higher tax in Ixelles. The tax on removals is higher than average. Moreover, the administrative procedures are more complex. Our advice? Plan ahead! Also, the more urgent the move (with a shorter reservation deadline), the higher the charges will be.
• A tax on use of a hoist in Forest. In certain municipalities, using a hoist is subject to a levy. The most notable such case is Forest. Consequently, it’s important to investigate access to the new location and whether or not the move will require a hoist.
• Parking rules to be observed in Uccle. In certain cases, drivers have been known to ignore parking reservations for removal lorries. In Uccle, as well as on Avenue Louise, the towing away of cars by breakdown trucks is a common occurrence, but it can still lead to lost time during the removals process.

To avoid problems, it’s best to prepare for your Brussels move well in advance

While nobody’s immune to unexpected hitches on the day of their move to or from one of the 19 Brussels-Capital municipalities, it is possible to avoid most problems. One thing to be avoided is moving on market day, as the police may refuse to allow the removals lorry through.
During the week, it’s best to move at times when traffic is lighter (so very early in the morning, e.g. 7-7.30 a.m., or in the evening after 9 p.m.). Consideration also needs to be given to public transport, which runs very frequently in Brussels. If a stop needs to be moved, notification must be issued well in advance in response to a specific request.

Maison Genné can help you move in or out of the Belgian capital

A good removals firm is of course familiar with the various regulations applicable in the municipalities. Your removers can even sort out the different administrative formalities for you. This will save you considerable time, as well as sparing you from having to deal with a mass of administrative red tape.
Maison Genné can organise your entire Brussels move. So don’t hesitate to contact us with any request for information on the transportation of goods to or from the capital.