Country Data Belgium
Belgium is a founding member of the European Union, with Brussels as its capital city and Dutch, French, and German recognized as its official EU languages. The country joined the EU on 1 January 1958 and adopted the euro as its currency in 1999, becoming part of the euro area from the outset. Belgium is also a member of the Schengen area, having joined in March 1995. Key national indicators such as geographic size, population, and GDP per capita measured in purchasing power standards provide insight into Belgium’s economic position within the EU.
Belgium’s political structure is that of a federal constitutional monarchy. The king serves as head of state, while executive authority is exercised by the prime minister within a multi-party system. Governance is highly decentralized and distributed across three distinct levels: the federal government, three language-based communities (Flemish, French-speaking, and German-speaking), and three regions (Flanders, the Brussels-Capital Region, and Wallonia). Although these entities are constitutionally equal, each is responsible for specific policy areas. Brussels plays a particularly important role at European level, as it is one of the three official seats of the EU institutions, alongside Luxembourg City and Strasbourg.
Belgium’s economy is service-oriented but well diversified. In 2020, the largest share of economic activity came from public administration, defence, education, healthcare, and social services, followed by wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation, and food services. Industry also remains a significant pillar of the Belgian economy. Trade is strongly integrated within the European Union, with intra-EU exports accounting for around two thirds of total exports. Germany, France, and the Netherlands are Belgium’s most important export destinations, while the United Kingdom and the United States represent the leading non-EU markets. Imports show a similar pattern, with the majority sourced from EU member states—particularly the Netherlands, Germany, and France—while the United States and China are the most significant suppliers from outside the EU.
Belgium is deeply embedded in the institutional framework of the European Union. It is represented by 21 Members of the European Parliament and hosts a European Parliament office that supports parliamentary engagement and public outreach. Belgian government representatives actively participate in the Council of the European Union, contributing to the adoption of EU legislation and the coordination of policies across different sectors.
Belgium has also played a prominent role in EU governance through its repeated assumption of the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU. Since the early years of European integration, Belgium has held the presidency on numerous occasions, most recently from January to June 2024, underscoring its long-standing involvement in shaping EU policy and institutional development.
Within the European Commission, Belgium is represented by its nominated Commissioner, Didier Reynders, who is responsible for Justice. The European Commission maintains an official representation in Belgium, reflecting the country’s central role in EU affairs. Belgium also contributes to EU advisory bodies, with 12 representatives each on the European Economic and Social Committee and the European Committee of the Regions, ensuring that social, economic, and regional perspectives are taken into account in the EU legislative process.
Belgium maintains permanent representations to the European Union in Brussels, which serve as the main channels for ongoing communication with EU institutions and for advancing national interests within the EU policy framework. EU-funded projects in Belgium are supported through the country’s contributions to the EU budget and help finance a wide range of initiatives, fostering economic development, social cohesion, and innovation both within Belgium and across the European Union.
