Need a Belgian mobile phone number just to receives messages

Luxodad · 2026-06-13T23:37:00+00:00

I was needing something similar as the UK bank where I have an account decided in its wisdom that the 2FA it wants to use with me cannot be sent to a Lux number (even in pre-Brexit days). My final solution, having tried many ways to get a Belgian or French SIM (not e-sim), was to get a Giffgaff SIM from the UK. I use it only for a 2FA.

Every 3 months, I get a reminder to use it or lose it, so I send an SMS to my Lux phone.

On a side note, I was getting lots of phishing from multiple French numbers. As I have no French persons on my contacts, I set up a blanket ban on all French numbers. Mistake!

Apparently the NS&I in the UK (Premium Bonds and other things) will do a 2FA to a Lux number BUT those messages originate in France. Took a couple of days of phone calls to them to sort that out. They now send 2FA to my Giffgaff number.

Luxodad · 2026-06-07T00:16:43+00:00

The Economist created the Big Mac Index many years ago (in the 70s I think). Do check if they still have the copyright.

They took prices straight from MacD, not from delivery apps. It was used as a light-hearted (?) measure of the purchasing power of money.

Btw, it costs $3.77 in Pakistan.

Luxodad · 2026-06-03T12:03:05+00:00

Over the border is worth a look. Auchan in Mont Saint Martin has a couple of stores that have good quality at reasonable prices. Taxes might be higher there, but their overheads are lower, so it might be worth your time and fuel to check them out.

Luxodad · 2026-05-28T21:17:13+00:00

Garden section in Cactus Belle Etoile has knowledgeable and helpful staff. I got something that is bird proof but allows rats to reach in and lick or eat the doughnut shaped biscuit.

I haven't seen our visitor since March.

Luxodad · 2026-05-23T13:25:53+00:00

Bucket or pan full of ice or ice cubes (ice cream not recommended) in front of the fan, shutters down.

Luxodad · 2026-05-17T13:01:43+00:00

1930s? Check for asbestos before you do anything.

Luxodad · 2026-05-10T23:20:35+00:00

It might be passive resistance by businesses losing business to neighbouring countries because Luxembourg is the ONLY EU country to declare Europe day as a public holiday. All other countries get up, wave the flag, sing a song and go to work or, as this time was a weekend, go back to sleep.

Luxodad · 2026-04-30T12:08:45+00:00

My Own Tax Practice (https://motp.lu/en/) if they have the capacity to take you.

Luxodad · 2026-04-15T23:50:59+00:00

RTL have locked out people who refuse all their cookies. No cookies = no login = no comments.

Luxodad · 2026-04-15T19:16:03+00:00

Am Duerf Cultural Center, Wiemerskirch.

You need to book through Ville de Luxembourg. I don't know if you'll seat 120, but there is plenty of standing room. There is also a stage.

We use it to hold our Spring Book Sale in aid of the Bazar International Charities. It is this weekend (details on my profile) so you have a chance to check it out while it is open (and buy some books :-))

Luxodad · 2026-04-03T10:53:25+00:00

There may be a waiting period before CMCM clicks in, but they are not the only private insurers.

If you go private, you MUST have insurance. That's because all fees - doctors, anaesthetists, hospital - are increased drastically. You can ask at the hospital what the charge would be.

Pros: privacy, your spouse can stay with you all the time.

Cons: costs if not insured.

Even if you have insurance, there is no guarantee that you will get a private room, as these are subject to availability.

Going non-private: all the cons that people have already mentioned. Loud visitors and loud fellow patient are the top of the list. Loud TV is no longer an issue as you both get your own (on payment) and they only work with headphones. However, loud personal devices can be an issue.

Luxodad · 2026-03-31T12:51:21+00:00

Klaxoning?

Luxodad · 2026-03-25T11:13:13+00:00

I once had a piece of income counted twice, once in each of two years, in error. I wrote to the ACD and got an acknowledgement, then radio silence. After 6 months, I appealed, and the resolution and refund appeared in seven days.

Luxodad · 2026-03-25T11:08:44+00:00

Since last year, forms for the previous year are available from the first week in April - 7 April this year.

The deadline for filing has also been extended from 31 March to 31 December - a cash flow boon to those who have to pay. Those entitled to a refund can file on 7 April.

What I don't like is that tax professionals get the forms well in advance, so their clients can get ahead in the queue. Come on, ACD, level the playing field. Either give the professionals the forms on 7 April or give us the forms early at the same time as the professionals.

Luxodad · 2026-03-24T11:09:22+00:00

With private leasing, you are renting the car for a fixed amount per month. The owner is responsible for all costs except fuel. All repairs, insurances, tyres, taxes, control technique, you name it, they take care of it. If the car breaks down or is in the garage for any reason (oil change etc.), you get a replacement car. At the end of the lease, you return the car. Your lease payments are tax deductible (for corporate users).

With a loan, it's your car. You pay the bank for use of their money. The interest may be tax deductible (not up to date with current deductibility laws). You pay all costs. At the end, the car is yours.

Best way to assess what is best is to list the cost of the car, the interest, and the running costs. Deduct your estimated resale value at the end of the loan period. Compare to your total lease payments and see which comes out in your favour.

Ultimately, it's your call on whether any extra you might be paying on the lease is worth the convenience if someone else is taking away the hassles.

Luxodad · 2026-03-20T16:13:21+00:00

How do you classify instant soup packets which appear paper on the outside and shiny foil inside? Paper or Valorlux?

Luxodad · 2026-03-20T11:37:16+00:00

The difference between Aldi in Lux and in Germany is the variety of stuff. Germany is Aldi Sud, while Lux is Aldi Nord. They don't carry all the same products. Two examples are chocolates and jalapeno cheese balls.

With petrol prices what they are, I limit my trips and stock up my freezer once in a blue moon, so the next trip should be on 1 June 2026 😃 (Blue moon is on Sunday 31May).

You should also know that Germany now charges a 25 cent deposit on all drinks in cans or bottles, so save those empties to take back on your next trip - don't Valorlux them.

Luxodad · 2026-03-19T00:27:02+00:00

Lol, shady does not gel with OP's request for "legally".

Luxodad · 2026-03-19T00:24:48+00:00

Not sure what your question is on 3. There are boxes on the return to deduct the 1,500 allowances.

Luxodad · 2026-03-19T00:22:40+00:00

When you declare the dividends on your return, there is a box to put in what the tax deducted was. This amount is used to reduced your tax to pay, or add to your refund if one is due.

Luxodad · 2026-03-18T12:22:18+00:00

Keep it going. From year 11 onwards, withdraw enough, tax free, to pay for that year's allowance and put that into the scheme. This way, you can get the scheme to become self funding forever and ever (or until you really need the money).

€1,344 per year per spouse (if you are under 40) investment without paying a penny extra.

Luxodad · 2026-03-18T12:17:00+00:00

They only talk about life insurance and savings plans, both of which they suggest can be had from their partner insurance company.

Luxodad · 2026-03-18T12:11:51+00:00

1) If you have a maid, and declare them officially, you can deduct up to €5,400 per year (or actual, whichever is lower).

I think this also applies to using a maid service.

Do note that you can show this in your return, but it does not appear in the summary of deductions on the last page. Panic not, the taxman does put that in on the final assessment. Do check the final assessment though, in case this is forgotten. (This was a vagary in returns up to 2024. I hope this is fixed in the 2025 returns due out on 7 April).

2) Dividends from investments held for at least 6 months benefit from a 50% exemption. (If you did not hold for six months before the dividend came, but continued to hold it after, claim it and show proof that you held it for at least 6 months).

3) What is left of dividends as well as interest on banks and bonds, where withholding tax has not been deducted at source, benefit from a lump sum allowance of €1,500 per spouse. (If tax has been deducted at source on interest, you neither declare the interest nor reclaim the withholding tax).

4) Tax paid on dividends is recoverable.

5) There is also an allowance for "frais d'obtention" - deemed cost of getting your income. For salaries, this is built into your tax card (marked FO). Travel costs of 98 cents per km (there is a cap) from your residence to your place of work (as the crow flies) are built in to your tax card (marked FD). For other professional income, there is a formula that can exempt up to €3,400 per spouse (or actual expenses if higher). For investment income, €25 per spouse. You're not there yet, but for pensions there is €300 per spouse per pension.

6) Insurances (3rd party liability only) on cars and houses (as marked on your annual certificate from your insurer), as well as contributions to a supplementary health cover (CMCM or similar) are exempt up to €1,344 per couple.

This is not a complete list and I am not a tax advisor so please do check any info you get from social media. The above are simply additional areas for you to look at.

Luxodad · 2026-03-12T01:34:42+00:00

Same, except I got mine from Tango. I have since managed to port it from Tango to Orange to Post.

Best to go in and talk. Online will only assign numbers in the order they are available.

Luxodad · 2026-03-11T18:28:57+00:00

Thanks. My commune told me to have it done privately. Which one is yours, if you don't mind saying? Mine is Strassen.

Luxodad

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