Motivations, Networks, and Future Plans of Bulgarian Newcomers in Waterschei/Genk: Qualitative Evidence to Improve the Local Governance of Migration

Abstract

This report presents an analysis of the motivations, social networks, and future aspirations of Bulgarian migrants in the Waterschei neighborhood of Genk, Belgium. Conducted between June 2023 and November 2024, this study provides qualitative evidence aimed at informing local governance to enhance migrant integration within the community.

Bulgarian migration to Belgium has been notable since Bulgaria's accession to the European Union in 2007, with a marked increase after labor restrictions were lifted in 2014. This influx has contributed to Genk’s super-diversity, a city historically shaped by migration and known for its multicultural population. As of 2024, the Bulgarian population in Genk is estimated to be 893 registered residents, although many remain not registered, posing challenges for the governance and support systems implemented by local authorities. Waterschei, a district with high poverty and unemployment rates and a dense population, has become a focal point for Bulgarian migrants. This report explores the complexities of migrants’ experiences and challenges they face in relation to housing, employment, registration, healthcare, and education.

Methodology The research employed a qualitative methodology centered on in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 45 Bulgarian migrants and 12 interviews with city officials and civil society actors. To gain a complete understanding of the local context, data collection included observation notes and photos from Waterschei, internal document analyses, anonymised statistical data, and participant observations during meetings.

The socio-demographic profile of the Bulgarian respondents is composed mostly of Roma Bulgarians (49%), followed by Turkish Bulgarians (42%) and a smaller percentage of ethnic Bulgarians (9%). The overall educational level is generally low: 16% had only completed primary education, 35% had finished lower secondary education (till the age of 12), and 40% had completed upper secondary education (till the age of 18). Most Bulgarian migrants live with their families in Waterschei, and 38% have underage children living with them in Belgium. The socio-demographic profile of the sample aligns with the City of Genk's observations on the general demographics of Bulgarian migrants in Waterschei.

Motivations The report's findings reveal an interplay of economic, familial, and personal factors that drive Bulgarian migrants to Genk. Economic motivations are the primary reason for migration, with many respondents citing high unemployment, precarious working conditions, and low wages in Bulgaria as significant push factors. Among Roma respondents, unemployment was particularly high, with many having never held a job in Bulgaria. In contrast, Turkish Bulgarians often had prior employment, though in low-paying jobs that could not adequately support their families. Additionally, many Bulgarians' motivation for migration are influenced by a culture of migration that has developed over time, making migration a widely accepted path to improving life prospects.

Family dynamics play an important role in migration. The decision to migrate is often a collective family choice, with many migrants aiming to provide financial support to relatives in Bulgaria or to migrate alongside family members. Personal traits such as a sense of adventure and the ability to envision life in different places also play a role in the migration decision-making process. These attitudes often influence their choice to migrate despite uncertainties and potential hardships. Many Bulgarian migrants decide to leave spontaneously, with little to no preparation or research on their destinations. This lack of preparedness is directly linked to their social networks in Genk, reflecting their reliance on these networks for information and support upon their arrival in Belgium.

Social networks Social networks influence the decision to migrate specifically to Genk rather than elsewhere, as many interviewees noted that these networks strongly motivated their destination choice. These networks are primarily classified into strong-tie networks, consisting of close and extended families, and weak-tie networks, consisting of friends, neighbors, and acquaintances. The largest social network in Waterschei is composed of migrants from Ruse, a southeastern province of Bulgaria, with many interviewees hailing from the same few villages. Respondents with strong ties indicated that they rely on family and friends for initial accommodation and job referrals. The majority of Bulgarian migrants have a strong-tie in Genk before migrating. Weak-tie networks also significantly affect migrant trajectories. While these connections may have lower levels of trust compared to strong-ties, they offer essential information and support. There are also migrants who have both strong and weak ties in Genk and are considered to be in the most favorable position in terms of support. A few migrants reported arriving in Genk with the assistance of Bulgarian minibus drivers, who offered initial support in exchange for clear economic benefits. While social networks provide essential resources, they also tend to reinforce patterns of low-wage labor, precarious employment practices, and poor living conditions, as migrants remain confined to limited opportunities within their social circles.

The ethnic enclave networks of Bulgarian migrants in Waterschei, among the Turkish-speaking Roma and Turkish Bulgarians, are closely connected to the local Turkish community in Belgium. These ethnic networks are essential for finding employment and housing, and play a key role in helping migrants navigate life in Belgium, including assistance with registering with the city hall, medical appointments, and managing administrative duties. However, while these ethnic enclaves provide crucial support, they also expose migrants to substandard living conditions and precarious employment. This setting fosters dependency, increases vulnerability, and limits migrant opportunities for broader integration.

Social networks have been found to have both direct and indirect influences on various domains, including housing, employment, registration, health, and education.

Housing The housing situation of Bulgarian migrants in Waterschei is marked by significant challenges related to housing quality. Many of the housing units in Waterschei built during the mining industry have outdated infrastructure that does not meet modern living standards. Inspections by the housing department of the City of Genk have revealed many instances of poor living conditions among Bulgarian migrants, including outdated facilities, molds, inadequate insulation, and overcrowding. Migrants often face difficulties finding suitable housing due to high demand and limited availability, with traditional methods such as advertising, proving ineffective. Ethnic networks are crucial in housing arrangements, as many Bulgarian migrants rent from landlords of Turkish descent who constitute the majority of rental property owners in Waterschei.

Rack renting is a significant issue affecting Bulgarian migrants in Waterschei, according to city officials from the City of Genk and civic organizations. Landlords charge excessively high rents for properties that are poorly maintained or even slated for demolition. Some migrants reported living in inadequate housing while paying standard market prices. Additionally, there have been cases where renting a bed in a shared room resulted in an excessively high total cost for the room. This problem is further compounded by the lack of formal rental agreements, particularly for those renting rooms, and reliance on cash transactions, which leaves tenants vulnerable to exploitation without legal protection. Despite these challenges, some migrants have managed to secure ‘normal’ accommodations through proactive efforts, including taking the initiative to renovate their living spaces themselves.

Employment Bulgarian migrants in Genk are employed in various sectors, with agriculture being the most prominent, followed by the household sector, manufacturing, construction, transportation, and logistics. Many migrants secure employment through referrals of their social networks and are often employed by the local community with a Turkish background. The employment landscape is characterized by a mix of formal, informal, and hybrid arrangements situated in Belgium and the Netherlands. A significant proportion of those interviewed worked or are currently working in the Netherlands, where recruitment agencies play a key role in the hiring process. Migrants employed through intermediaries frequently encounter issues such as retrospective contract changes, inadequate workplace insurance, withheld holiday pay, and lack additional compensation for working on holidays or weekends. Additionally, some migrants rely on their employers for both accommodation and employment, heighting their dependence and vulnerability.

Among those employed in Belgium, the majority hold formal jobs—often after initially working in the Netherlands—while a small percentage of respondents remain in hybrid or informal employment structures. There is a significant presence of bogus self-employment among Bulgarian migrants in Genk, where they are registered as self-employed but work under conditions similar to those of regular employees. Their employer pays their social contributions instead of them, and there are cases where migrants need to repay significant social security debts due to the employer not keeping their promises. The lack of awareness of their rights and obligations, combined with language barriers and absence of professional qualifications, complicates Bulgarian migrants’ overall ability to seek better employment conditions.

Registration In Waterschei, a significant number of Bulgarian migrants remain not registered in the local municipality. Estimates from the City Genk suggest that between 300 and 500 Bulgarians reside unofficially. European and Belgian laws require intra-EU migrants to register within three months of arrival, as this registration is crucial for municipalities to effectively manage public services and facilitate migrant integration into the local community. Many Bulgarian migrants interviewed reported difficulties with the registration process, often because of specific requirements that they could not meet. Nearly half of the interviewees mentioned that it took them years to obtain a Belgium residence permit. A common challenge is landlords’ refusal to allow migrants to use their address for registration, often because the properties were unsuitable for residential purposes or had already had too many residents registered. Additionally, migrants, particularly those working informally or temporarily through recruitment agencies in the Netherlands, faced difficulties in providing proof of financial means to the municipality for registration. A few participants admitted to deliberately avoiding registration due to concerns about administrative responsibilities, which they found challenging to navigate, as well as potential tax obligations.

Healthcare Bulgarian migrants in Genk often fail to meet the legal requirements necessary to access social security rights, including healthcare. This issue is prevalent among those who are not registered, work informally, or employed in hybrid arrangements. Many interviewees expressed concerns about recruitment agencies in the Netherlands, not paying for their social contributions including health insurance coverage. In Belgium, not registered migrants lack access to essential services, such as healthcare, and rely solely on emergency aid, which can be costly. To avoid these expenses, many migrants return to Bulgaria for healthcare when necessary. Although there is an EU system for transferring social security rights, only a few migrants reported knowing about it, and many were unfamiliar with how the Belgian system functions or their obligations to secure these rights.

Education Bulgarian migrants in Waterschei face several challenges regarding their children's education, primarily due to language barriers, a lack of awareness of the Belgian education system, and difficulties in communication with teachers. Local schools in Waterschei, along with officials from the City of Genk, have identified frequent school absence as a significant issue, particularly among Roma Bulgarian children. There are also concerns that some children of unregistered migrants in Genk may not be enrolled in school, and that compulsory education does not apply to them. The City of Genk noted that the slow administrative response to school absenteeism hinders timely intervention and exacerbates the risk of educational disengagement. Thanks to the Neighbourhood Improvement Contract and targeted support for Bulgarian families, significant improvements in school attendance in Waterschei have been observed over the past year.

Future plans Bulgarian migrants in Waterschei can be divided into three groups based on their future plans: those intending to stay in Belgium in the long term, those planning to return to Bulgaria, and those who are uncertain about their future. Migrants aiming to remain in Belgium are often registered, and typically have minor children living with them. For these individuals, settling in Belgium offers an opportunity for better life and stability for their children. By contrast, those who are unsure about their plans or who intend to return to Bulgaria often face job instability and engage in seasonal work.

The concept of liquid migration is relevant to the experiences of Bulgarian migrants, as many have lived in various European countries before settling in Genk. This reflects their ongoing search for better economic opportunities and mobility in the EU. A common migration pattern involves circular movements, with some respondents initially coming to Genk for short periods for seasonal work. Interviews revealed that some migrants have become less mobile over time, particularly those who have secured regular employment, whereas others continue to engage in cross-border mobility. Despite their varying intentions, all Bulgarian migrants share a common aspiration for health and the pursuit of a stable and dignified life for their families, whether in Belgium, Bulgaria, or elsewhere.

Recommendations The recommendations outlined in the last chapter of the report address the key challenges faced by Bulgarian migrants in Genk across multiple policy domains. These recommendations are intended to provide guidance to policymakers, stakeholders, and community leaders for improving the social integration and well-being of migrant populations. The proposed actions emphasize the importance of a coherent and integrated approach, recognising that migrant challenges often span multiple domains, including housing, employment, education, registration, healthcare, and social cohesion. Thus, effective migration governance requires collaborative efforts among local, national, cross-border, and intra-European authorities.