Brussels: what to see and whether to move there

What the city lives on and who it suits

Brussels is the capital of Belgium and the European Union's main administrative centre: the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, NATO headquarters and hundreds of lobbying and consulting firms are here. The Brussels-Capital Region has about 1.2 million people, a large share of them foreigners. The official languages are French and Dutch, and English is widely used at work and in daily life.

The city suits professionals with contracts at international organisations and companies, consultants, lawyers, IT specialists and families who want a strong multilingual school system. It is harder for those counting on low taxes: the tax burden on salaries in Belgium is among the highest in Europe.

Neighbourhoods: where newcomers settle

• Ixelles and Saint-Gilles: lively areas with cafés, markets and old houses, popular with young professionals.
• The European Quarter and Etterbeek: close to the European Union institutions, convenient for those who work there.
• Uccle and Watermael-Boitsfort: green and expensive southern areas with many international schools, the family choice.
• Woluwe-Saint-Lambert and Woluwe-Saint-Pierre: quiet eastern areas closer to the airport and schools.

After moving you must register with the commune where you live within 8 working days: the commune determines both the income tax surcharge and how quickly documents are processed.

Cost of living

Exchange rate: $1.12 per euro on 6 October 2026. Rents in Ixelles and near the European Quarter are above average, and lower on the outskirts.

Practicalities: transport, climate, money

Transport. Metro, trams and buses cover the whole region, and the monthly pass has cost €56 since February 2026. High-speed trains run to Paris, Amsterdam and London. Climate. Mild winters, cool summers, frequent rain. Taxes. Income tax is 25%, 40%, 45% and 50%, with 50% applying above 51,070 euros a year, plus a commune surcharge of up to 9%. From 2026 a 10% capital gains tax applies, with the first 10,000 euros a year exempt. More on the Taxes in Belgium page.

Moving and legal status

• Work. The single work and residence permit is arranged by the employer. For highly qualified specialists in the Brussels-Capital Region in 2026 the salary is from €3,703.44 gross a month (about $4,150).
• EU Blue Card: from €4,748 gross a month (about $5,320).
• Your own business: a professional card for the self-employed, with a business plan and an assessment of the benefit to the region's economy.
• Study and family reunification: under the general rules.

Belgian citizenship comes after 5 years of lawful residence, with elementary language skills and proof of integration. More on the Belgian citizenship page.

Healthcare and insurance

After registering with the commune and starting work you join a health insurance fund, which refunds most of the cost of doctors and medicines. While your documents are processed you need private insurance, as many clinics otherwise bill in full. A family doctor is the first point of contact; you can book specialists directly, but the refund is then lower.

Work, business and language

• corporate tax is 25%, and small companies pay 20% on the first 100,000 euros of profit;
• VAT is 21%, with reduced rates of 12% and 6% and an exemption for turnover up to 25,000 euros;
• the self-employed pay social contributions of about 20.5% of income;

In Brussels new residents from outside the European Union follow a mandatory integration programme with language courses and an introduction to how the country works. French opens more vacancies than Dutch, but English is often enough in international companies.

Travel from Brussels

The high-speed train to Paris takes about 1 hour 20 minutes, to London about 2 hours, and to Amsterdam and Cologne under 2 hours. Brussels Airport is 20 minutes from the centre by train. A Belgian resident with a residence permit travels in Schengen without a visa, but the 90/180 rule applies in other countries.

Renting: how to find a flat

The standard Belgian residential lease is for 9 years with termination rights, and short leases run up to 3 years. The deposit is at most two months' rent and goes into a blocked account in the tenant's name rather than to the owner. A condition report is drawn up on moving in and out, and it decides whether the deposit is returned. The owner registers the lease, and the address in it is needed to register with the commune.

Schools

State schools are free, teaching in French or Dutch. European Schools admit children of European Union institution staff first, with other places given as available. Private international schools with English programmes are expensive, and places are booked in advance, often a year ahead.

Is the city worth considering

The pluses are the centre of Europe, an international environment, strong schools, fast trains to neighbouring capitals and citizenship after 5 years. The minuses are high salary taxes, commune bureaucracy, rainy weather and expensive housing in popular areas. Brussels works for people who already have a contract or project in the European Union.