Ireland's relationship with Belgium
A centuries old bond, Ireland and Belgium’s connection remains strong today. As far back as the 5th century, Belgium has been a destination for Irish people seeking a home away from home.
Many Irish people have sought refuge here throughout history. During the penal times in Ireland, Coláiste na nGael i Lobháin (St Anthony's College Leuven) was a shelter for Irish people and the Irish language.
Irish saints such as St Brigid, St Dymphna, and St Faolán all left their marks throughout Belgium. In the cathedral of Bruges in Belgium, visitors from Ireland and all over come to see the cloth that is said to be Brigid's mantle.
In Geel, there is a church dedicated to St Dymphna, the patron saint of mental illness, who sought refuge in Belgium after fleeing her violent father.
St Faolán is commemorated with a septennial celebratory march in Fosses where he set up an Irish monastery and brought the knowledge of Irish monks to Belgium.
Over 30,000 Irish soldiers lost their lives in the Killing Fields of Flanders in World War I, a stark reminder of our shared European history.
Peace and prosperity
Today Ireland and Belgium work together for peace and prosperity – both in the United Nations and in our shared home in the European Union.
Both countries share a commitment to multilateralism, are dedicated to defending human rights, and are devoted to fighting against the climate crisis.
In 2021, the Irish language was finally granted full official and working status in the EU, which opened the door for more Irish people to make the move to Brussels.
Our political and economic relations are thriving. Our people-to-people links are stronger than ever before while culture remains at the heart of our connections.
Trade and economic relations
Belgium is a key partner of Ireland and this is reflected in the strength of relations at both an official and personal level.
We are also close trading partners and this can be seen in the ever-increasing levels of trade and investment and also in the field of scientific research. Belgium is Ireland’s second largest trading partner globally (the first being the US), with a total of €33.2 billion in two-way trade in goods and services in 2023.
Our excellent trade relations are still expanding as we are working together on a resilient post-Brexit and post-pandemic economy. Belgium ranks as one of biggest EU importers of Irish goods.
Medical and pharmaceutical products and organic chemicals together account for 90% of Ireland’s exports to Belgium. Many of the big pharmaceutical firms, such as Pfizer, are major exporters from Ireland.
There are many Irish companies which are established in Belgium including RKD Architects, PM Group, Combilift, CXV Global PPI Adhesive, and DPS Engineering, to name a few. More than 10,000 Irish people work in Belgium, including with private companies like Toyota or Pfizer andwithin the European Union Institutions.
In May 2024, Ireland, Belgium, and the UK signed a joint statement to allow for closer cooperation in offshore wind energy between the three countries.
Irish community in Belgium
We have an estimated 10,000-15,000 strong Irish community living, working, and studying in Belgium, and just under 10,000 Belgians estimated to have made Ireland their home.
Our community get together for traditional music and sport that connects them to home
The Belgium GAA club celebrated its 20th anniversary in December 2023. An active youth club, EC Gaelic Club Brussels, trains approximately 100 underage footballers and hurlers in Brussels. In June 2023, a new branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann was inaugurated at the Irish Embassy. 2023 also saw the establishment of a branch of Conradh na Gaeilge in Brussels.
There are also strong tourism links between Belgium and Ireland, with over 380,000 visitors from the BeNe (Belgium and Netherlands) region visiting the Island of Ireland in 2019, according to Tourism Ireland.