Supply of utilities like gas, electricity, cable, internet and water implies a contract and/or a formal contact between you as an individual user and the company. Although most supply will be established relatively fast, make sure to prepare well in advance before you arrive or move. All markets have been opened up to competition and you have therefore more than one option to choose from, with the exception of the utility of water in the Brussels-Capital Region.
Sibelga is the company that manages the electricity and gas distribution network for the 19 communes of Brussels. It opens, closes and places meters, reads meters, carries out work on connections, intervenes in gas odours…
Several companies are active in Brussels and you can choose a different supplier for gas and electricity. Further information and answers on questions such as "How to choose a supplier ?", "What to do during a move ?", "Where to submit a complaint ?", "What about green power ?" can be found on the Brugel website, the regulator for the gas and electricity market in the Brussels-Capital Region.
GOOD TO KNOW: The EAN code is an 18-digit code that your energy supplier will often ask you to provide when transferring meters. This code identifies a gas or electricity supply point and corresponds to a specific address. Ask your landlord or former tenant for this code, or contact Sibelga.
Only one water company supplies the Brussels-Capital Region: VIVAQUA.
Contact:
Boulevard de l'Impératrice 17-19,
1000 Brussels
E-mail : info@vivaqua.be
T : +32 (0)2 518 88 10
In case of emergency : +32 (0)2 739 52 11
First rule of thumb when you move in or out is to make sure not to forget to take down the meter number, the meter reading and the date of the reading. After that you will need to complete a form together with the new resident (of the place you are leaving) or the former resident (of the place you are moving into).
No visit of the representative of the water company is required unless it involves a newbuild home or in case the property has not been lived in for a long time (and the water was disconnected). In the latter case you will need to take an appointment with VIVAQUA.
Generally speaking, you’ll receive a water bill from VIVAQUA once every quarter. This will be based on your consumption that quarter. Once a year, you’ll also receive a final invoice for the year. This will either ask you to pay extra or reimburse you if you’ve paid too much.
Almost all of Belgium is served by cable televison. In Brussels, cable services are provided by different companies, each active in different municipalities:
Satellite television is also available via Telesat
Setting up the internet in Belgium doesn’t require too much effort. Just choose the package that suits your needs and request it online. You might be asked to submit your ID, proof of address, and your bank account number for monthly payments.
Be prepared to pay the one-time telecom activation fee and router cost on top of your fixed monthly fee. If you’re looking for a super-fast connection, consider fiber optic internet.
Once the contract is set up, you either get a DIY installation kit sent to your mail or a technician comes by to install your router. The fiber installation is always done by a technician.
The most popular internet providers in Belgium are:
Providers will often offer discounted packages that include television, landline telephone, and broadband connections. Some of these companies also include discounts for mobile phone subscriptions, too, so it’s best to shop around to get the best deal for you. The easiest way to do this is with a comparison sit like Astel.
Numerous mobile and fixed line providers are active in Belgium.. Many providers offer interesting packages for TV, Internet and mobile. Consult the website MesFournisseurs and try to make a choice.
In Belgium the six principal telephone operators are Proximus, Base, Orange, Telenet, Neibo, and Voomobile. On arrival you can buy a prepaid card which can then be recharged as required.The card is sold in all sales outlets of the main operators as well as in retail chains and newsagents.
The telephone operators offer two types of contracts: fixed-term contracts and permanent or open-ended contracts. A permanent contract can always be terminated free of charge, at any time. With a fixed-term contract, you have to remain with the operator for a minimum period of six months. If you breach this contract during the first six months, the operator is entitled to charge you compensation for early termination of contract. The maximum compensation is the amount you would have paid if you had continued the contract to the end of the sixth month.
Consult this webpage for more information about the law concerning telephony.