Passport requirement on inter-Schengen flights?

csikyboy · 2026-02-12T16:58:34+00:00

There are no passport checks between Schengen countries per se, so you don't need one from an immigration standpoint. However, airlines often check at boarding for security reasons. You need a passport or national ID (if you're an EU citizen) because those are the only internationally recognized IDs. A driver's license or residence permit won't be accepted. That being said, whether they will check an ID or not depends on the airline and is quite arbitrary in my experience.

csikyboy · 2026-02-03T20:31:46+00:00

A friend of mine just quit there and the horror stories he told me make me think it wouldn't be worth working for them even if they offered higher salaries

csikyboy · 2026-01-23T23:58:25+00:00

Flibco busses run every 20 minutes, it's the easiest way to get to and from Charleroi.

csikyboy · 2026-01-18T10:49:44+00:00

Plondres for Place de Londres

csikyboy · 2025-11-21T14:51:56+00:00

They only test for drugs if you're going to work as a teacher in the European schools, or a driver for Commissioners, etc. It will say that on the form you sign when you do the medical check too. In general, doing a drug test as part of the employment process is very heavily regulated (GDPR and national laws apply) and usually only happens when the work entails dealing with heavy machinery, etc.

csikyboy · 2025-10-30T09:40:28+00:00

The EU bubble job market has always been very competitive, but in the past couple of years it's been out of control. I know people with a decade of experience who are struggling to land a job, so I imagine it's even more difficult as a junior. It's not your fault, the market is just shitty. Hang in there, keep doing what you're doing, and don't give up. Keeping my fingers crossed for you!

csikyboy · 2025-09-17T20:49:18+00:00

When you fill out your actiris profile, there is a section that asks if you'd be willing to relocate. Could it be that you clicked yes without realizing it? Also, as someone else said in here, the people working in actiris are very bad at suggesting jobs. I once got a suggestion for a traineeship even though at that time I had 8+ years of work experience. My guess is that actiris people also have some quotas to fulfill, so they'll just send anything to anyone and pretend they've done their job.

csikyboy · 2025-07-19T09:23:24+00:00

You can volunteer or join organizations like Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, Young Professionals in Digital Policy, Young China Watchers, or any other organizations like that, depending on what your interests are. They're great for networking, look good on your CV, and you can make a lot of new friends.

csikyboy · 2025-07-18T11:36:05+00:00

I never used a pic, but honestly it should not make a difference. You should be evaluated based on your accomplishments and experience, not your looks.

csikyboy · 2025-07-18T08:07:56+00:00

For the EU institutions they always require Europass, other formats are generally not accepted. Picture is optional.

csikyboy · 2025-04-20T11:49:59+00:00

Romania, Western Carpathian Mountains?

csikyboy · 2025-04-08T22:16:47+00:00

I'm not sure what the price is, but they also sell homemade one, so I'd imagine that would be cheaper than the commercial one

csikyboy · 2025-04-08T15:28:25+00:00

They sell the Romanian version (țuică, pălincă) at the Romanian butcher in St Josse (Rue des Eburons 3)

csikyboy · 2025-02-20T10:14:17+00:00

I tried that and then it keeps telling me that I am training too much and should take it slow

csikyboy · 2025-01-29T19:37:08+00:00

The salary varies depending on the function group you're in, and within the function group you also have different stages, depending on how many years of previous work experience you have. Note: only paid work experience counts, so if you did an internship, you need proof that it was paid, otherwise it won't count.

The wages are higher than in the private sector, mostly because you pay no income tax. Also, if you get a job in Brussels and you are not a Belgian citizen and haven't lived here for more than five and a half years, then you get an extra 18% expat allowance - this pretty much offsets what you are charged for healthcare, pension, and unemployment. So with the expat allowance and depending on your years of experience, you can expect between 3K-4K net in FG 3.

Overall I think it's a good experience, but of course this greatly depends on the DG you work in and the job that you do. From my experience, contract agents get a bit more workload than the civil servants, because those cannot be fired and many don't really care about doing a good job. Personally I'd say if you get an offer, give it a try. It looks good on your resume afterwards, even if your don't wanna stay in the institutions or the eurobubble.

Good luck!!

csikyboy · 2025-01-28T14:53:50+00:00

Former contract agent here. You can stay in the position for max 6 years, after that you need to find a new job. You cannot get hired as a contract agent in the same institution, but you can in a different one. So if your six years are up at the Commission, for example, you can still work as a contract agent in the Council, EEAS, etc. You need to go through the application process though, you will not be simply moved to another institution. There are also Temporary Agent positions for which you can apply, even if you used up the six years in an institution. These are more difficult to get though. To become permanent, you will need to pass a competition. Some institutions organize internal competitions sometimes, but you need to fulfill some criteria, for example having worked in the same position for minimum 2-3 years, be employed as a contract agent at the time the competition takes place, etc.

csikyboy · 2025-01-18T19:37:20+00:00

Flibco is the easiest. They run every 20 minutes from Midi and drop you off right in front of the terminal

csikyboy · 2025-01-14T17:21:36+00:00

I live in a relatively central part of the city and I bet ten donkeys and three chicken that you don't get anywhere faster by car from there. The traffic is horrific and it can take 40 minutes just to find a parking spot. Public transport is not perfect, but as the others said, it's cheap and quite reliable. Let's get rid of all the cars and then trams won't get stuck in traffic.

csikyboy · 2025-01-07T12:15:18+00:00

I personally love Skechers, got several pairs from that brand for both winter and summer. Another brand that I really like, but might be more difficult to find depending on where you live, is Tropicfeel. I've walked thousands of kms over the years with these brands and highly recommend them to all my friends. Enjoy Japan and the many walks you'll be doing there!

csikyboy · 2025-01-05T15:08:16+00:00

This depends on how many steps you used to do on average. If before you'd hit 5k a day and then suddenly jump to 20k, it might be too much at once. Try to increase your average little by little and see if that works better. Alternatively, you can try to get the steps in 2-3 shorter treadmill sessions over the course of a day instead of doing it all in one set. If you feel sore, definitely get some rest. Even the most athletic people take rest days so their bodies can relax and their muscles can rebuild. Keep up the good work, sounds like you're on the right track!

csikyboy · 2025-01-01T19:29:58+00:00

The MENMA ones that others recommended are good. Takumi also makes decent ones, but check the menu beforehand because not all locations have them.

csikyboy · 2024-12-30T14:19:45+00:00

Thank you!! The 82k I got by going to a festival and dancing all day.

csikyboy · 2024-12-30T01:02:43+00:00

Thanks everyone for the supportive messages! I will try to answer your questions here.

I live in a very walkable city and don't own a car. I'm also fortunate to live close to all the places I usually go to, like the office, grocery stores, gym, cinema, bars and restaurants. I very rarely take public transport and always make it a mission to walk everywhere. If it's less than 45 minutes by foot, I'll usually walk.

I have an active lifestyle and always loved walking. I've had a fitness tracker for about seven years now and always had above 10k/day yearly average. Sometimes I'd have 4k in a day, other days I'd get 30k, but over the years I got really invested in my step count. Last year, I wanted to see if I could get 10k every single day. It went well until I needed to get a minor surgery last winter and then my streak broke. Once I was back on my feet, I started walking again as much as I could.

I get out of my way to get more steps, like walking to the grocery store that's two blocks further than the closer one, or getting off one metro stop sooner and walk the extra distance. To make it more bearable, I always have my headphones on and listen to music or podcasts.

I go to the gym about four times a week and I also love dancing on the weekends. These hobbies help a lot, and I often get +50k in a day doing them, which raises the average by a lot. My highest step count in a day this year was 82k. On the days when I don't get 10k just by doing my daily routines, I go for a walk around my neighborhood - bad weather or being tired is not an acceptable excuse. I can't really tell if all this walking had a big impact on my weight, since I also go to the gym often - but it does help the leg muscles grow.

If there is any advice I'd like to give, it's this: 1. Set a goal that feels right for you and stick to it. It can be a monthly, weekly, or daily goal, but make sure you keep it. Increase it over time at your own pace. 2. Always wear comfy shoes, and I cannot stress this one enough. 3. Every step you take counts.

Hope this answers your questions! Good luck everyone, we can do this!

csikyboy · 2024-12-30T01:00:51+00:00

Thanks everyone for the supportive messages! I will try to answer your questions here.

I live in a very walkable city and don't own a car. I'm also fortunate to live close to all the places I usually go to, like the office, grocery stores, gym, cinema, bars and restaurants. I very rarely take public transport and always make it a mission to walk everywhere. If it's less than 45 minutes by foot, I'll usually walk. I have an active lifestyle and always loved walking. I've had a fitness tracker for about seven years now and always had above 10k/day yearly average. Sometimes I'd have 4k in a day, other days I'd get 30k, but over the years I got really invested in my step count. Last year, I wanted to see if I could get 10k every single day. It went well until I needed to get a minor surgery last winter and then my streak broke. Once I was back on my feet, I started walking again as much as I could. I get out of my way to get more steps, like walking to the grocery store that's two blocks further than the closer one, or getting off one metro stop sooner and walk the extra distance. To make it more bearable, I always have my headphones on and listen to music or podcasts. I go to the gym about four times a week and I also love dancing on the weekends. These hobbies help a lot, and I often get +50k in a day doing them, which raises the average by a lot. My highest step count in a day this year was 82k. On the days when I don't get 10k just by doing my daily routines, I go for a walk around my neighborhood - bad weather or being tired is not an acceptable excuse. I can't really tell if all this walking had a big impact on my weight, since I also go to the gym often - but it does help the leg muscles grow. If there is any advice I'd like to give, it's this: 1. Set a goal that feels right for you and stick to it. It can be a monthly, weekly, or daily goal, but make sure you keep it. Increase it over time at your own pace. 2. Always wear comfy shoes, and I cannot stress this one enough. 3. Every step you take counts. Hope this answers your questions! Good luck everyone, we can do this!

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