Thanks Bug, I have already ordered another phone. You are asked during setup for phone number. It knew I was +44 and I just filled in the number. When asked to photograph the identification document it only allowed me UK passport so I think they may have progressed a tiny bit but the damned phone won't pick up the passport chip. Apple forums all say different things about different models. It's a shoitfight.
Looks like I will be writing to the Belgian government and declaring myself non techno and please send any messages by letter.