Talk Academia

Hi folks!

I'm about to start a fellowship in Belgium (French-speaking university), so I was wondering if anyone has experience in how the contracts work there.
I'm particularly interested in how the net salary will be. I've seen that there are two types of contracts, based on a "bourse" or a regular salary, which result in much different net amounts... I should be eligible for a bourse (which would be better), but I'm not sure which treatment they are going to choose. Belgium is quite expensive and I'm starting to get worried about it

Has anyone here some experience with MSCA fellowships in Belgium?

Thanks!

(PS. I've already asked my host insitution directly, but so far I did not receive any clear answer about this point)

I am facing a similar problem, also in Belgium, but in a Dutch-speaking University.

I will wait until the payment day arrives, but it seems that taxes are cutting around 60% of my salary. If this is true, I am really thinking about not living in Belgium at all during the fellowship, since my fieldwork is in another country.

Fu Manchu wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 15, 2023 4:01 pm

I am facing a similar problem, also in Belgium, but in a Dutch-speaking University.

I will wait until the payment day arrives, but it seems that taxes are cutting around 60% of my salary. If this is true, I am really thinking about not living in Belgium at all during the fellowship, since my fieldwork is in another country.

That's very annoying indeed. In the end I was confirmed by HR that the MSCA contract is subject to taxation as a normal employment contract, not as a fellowship grant. Not very convenient, as MSCA fellows ends up with lower salaries compared to other postdocs paid by local grants.

michelef wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 09, 2023 12:05 pm

Fu Manchu wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 15, 2023 4:01 pm

I am facing a similar problem, also in Belgium, but in a Dutch-speaking University.

I will wait until the payment day arrives, but it seems that taxes are cutting around 60% of my salary. If this is true, I am really thinking about not living in Belgium at all during the fellowship, since my fieldwork is in another country.

That's very annoying indeed. In the end I was confirmed by HR that the MSCA contract is subject to taxation as a normal employment contract, not as a fellowship grant. Not very convenient, as MSCA fellows ends up with lower salaries compared to other postdocs paid by local grants.

How much are you getting?