The Romanian diaspora in Belgium has grown significantly over the past two decades, with an estimated more than 60,000 Romanians having settled in the country. This community has developed a rich digital ecosystem centered on the Romanian language, allowing members to stay connected to their home culture while integrating into Belgian society.
Social Media and Community Platforms
Facebook remains by far the most popular platform for Romanian communities in Belgium, with dozens of active groups counting thousands of members. “Români în Belgia,” “Români din Bruxelles,” and “Români în Antwerpen” are examples of groups where members share information about housing, jobs, legal advice, and social events.
These groups function as digital meeting places where newcomers can quickly find answers to practical questions, from locating a Romanian doctor to organizing joint Easter and Christmas celebrations. WhatsApp and Telegram groups complement this network by enabling more direct communication and local coordination.
Entertainment and Leisure
Streaming services such as HBO Max Romania and Voyo provide access to Romanian films, series, and sports broadcasts in Romanian, although many users require VPN services for full access. For those interested in online entertainment, various options have emerged, including foreign casinos for Romanian players in Belgium that offer Romanian-language interfaces and accept familiar payment methods from both countries.
YouTube channels run by Romanian comedians, chefs, and vloggers are particularly popular. Channels such as “Bucătăria Familiei Mele” and “Speak” generate millions of views from audiences worldwide, including the Romanian diaspora in Belgium.
News Consumption and Information Sources
Digi24.ro, Hotnews.ro, Libertatea.ro, and Adevărul.ro are among the most visited websites, providing up-to-date coverage of politics, the economy, and social developments in Romania. For local news in Belgium, many Romanians rely on the Facebook pages of Romanian associations that translate and share information about Belgian regulations, elections, and community activities.
Europa FM, Radio ZU, and Kiss FM offer live streams that allow listeners to enjoy their favorite programs during commutes or while working from home. Romanian-language podcasts have recently grown in popularity, with shows such as “Aproximativ Discuții” and “La Telefon” offering in-depth discussions on culture, history, and current topics.
E-Commerce and Practical Services
Online shopping from Romanian webstores remains popular for specific products that are hard to find in Belgium. Emag.ro, Romania’s largest e-commerce platform, delivers to Belgium electronics, books, and household items, although shipping costs and customs rules have become more complex since Brexit.
For food products, many families rely on specialized services such as Balkanica.ro, which delivers traditional items: mici seasoning, cozonac mixes, zacuscă, and Romanian dairy products. These webshops often integrate WhatsApp ordering, lowering the barrier for older community members who are less digitally savvy.
Education and Cultural Preservation
Platforms such as Școala Virtuală Românească and Biblioteca Digitală a României provide free access to textbooks, literary works, and educational materials in Romanian. Parents also use apps like “Povești pentru copii” and “Alfabet Românesc” to help their children learn Romanian through play, supplemented by YouTube channels such as “CânteceGrădiniță,” which offer traditional children’s songs and poems.
Saturday schools in Brussels, Antwerp, and Ghent promote their courses through Facebook events and accept online registrations via Google Forms, simplifying administration. Teaching children their mother tongue is one of the most effective ways to ensure they remain connected to their cultural heritage, wherever they live.
Professional Networks and Career Development
LinkedIn hosts a growing community of Romanian professionals in Belgium who maintain networks in both countries. Groups such as “Romanian Professionals in Belgium” and “IT Romanians in Brussels” facilitate knowledge sharing, job postings, and mentoring for newcomers to the Belgian labor market.
Websites like Bestjobs.ro and eJobs.ro, Romania’s largest job portals, feature international sections where Romanian companies with offices in Belgium can directly recruit Romanian-speaking candidates. This has led to an interesting form of circular migration, with professionals moving between the two countries for projects and assignments.
Conclusion
The digital landscape of Romanian communities in Belgium demonstrates how technology can strengthen rather than weaken cultural identity. By using platforms in their mother tongue for everything from news consumption and social connection to e-commerce and entertainment, Romanians create a hybrid identity that combines the best of both worlds.
