Belgium

Two markets in one country

For this subject Belgium splits in two. Flanders sits close to the Netherlands in rates, habits and language, and many agencies work across both countries with the same companions. Brussels and Wallonia work differently, with most arrangements running through French language agencies.

A Dutch language request in Wallonia usually ends up with someone from Brussels, where most bilingual companions live.

Rates

Amounts in Flanders sit close to Dutch levels. Brussels averages slightly above, which follows from the business crowd and the number of longer bookings.

Travel costs are rarely large inside Flanders because the distances are short. Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges and Hasselt are all within an hour of each other.

Language

Dutch is the working language in Flanders and almost everyone speaks English. In Brussels French comes first with Dutch second. In Wallonia French is in practice the only workable language.

Profiles state which languages someone actually speaks and at what level, which matters more at a first appointment than the photograph.

Crossing the border

The border barely matters in practice. Companions from Antwerp include Eindhoven and Breda in their area, and Dutch companions drive to Antwerp without a surcharge.

Anyone living in Zeeland Flanders is closer to Ghent and Bruges than to Rotterdam, which often makes the Flemish supply the practical one there.