Belgium boasts of alluring landscapes, elegant architecture, a multicultural environment, and a very industrious population. These factors make it a top destination for a lot of European expats.
But is Belgium expensive?
Depending on your budget and location, the prices of different goods, services, and commodities are slightly cheaper here than in other European countries.
If it’s your first time in the country or you plan on relocating to Belgium this year, we’ll give you a rundown of the cost of living in Belgium.
We put most of our resources on-site to gather reviews and details of essential items, products, and services in the country. This way, you have a clear oversight of your intended expenditure and enjoy your stay in Belgium.
Housing
You need a place to start on arrival, right? So, what is the cost of housing in Belgium? The cost of accommodation is quite expensive especially if you are a tourist staying in a populated area.
You can get a cheap “student” 3-bedroom apartment for less than €600, but you’ll have to share your kitchen, toilet, and bathroom with about 3 other tenants.
Depending on which part of the city you live in, you can find a suitable apartment that has everything you want for less than €1,000/month. Here is the cost of apartments by cities.
The price of a 3-bedroom apartment in Antwerp is between €800 and €1,200 per month.
The price of a 3-bedroom apartment in Brussels is between €890 and €1,300.
The price of a 3-bedroom apartment in Gent is between €750 and €1,200.
The price of a 3-bedroom apartment in Leuven is around €800 and €1,300.
The price of a 3-bedroom apartment in Liege goes for €700 or €1,100/month.
If you want to get the cheapest apartment listing in all you Belgium, you’ll have to take your search online. You can find a lot of good-looking listings, directories, agents, and people with up-to-date data that would help you find one.
Food, groceries, and commodities
You can get a taste of the best wine, chocolate, fries, ketchup, mayonnaise, and waffles in Belgium at a very affordable price. There are a lot of supermarkets, vendors, and grocery stores that can help you find one.
On average, you’d spend around €300 per month on groceries and other small food items. Some of the cheapest supermarkets in Belgium are Colruyt, Lidl, and Aldi.
Eating out in a bar, restaurant, or fast-food eatery once in a while also gives you one of the best Belgian experiences. There are also local eateries serving healthy & tasty fast foods like falafel, wraps, and pitas. A meal in an inexpensive restaurant costs around €15.
Dinner is a bit more expensive than lunch but it’s worth it if you have a beautiful date. But if your order contains soups, salads, cheese, cold meats, or patisserie, it will cost you about €20.
Here’s the cost of other food items and commodities in the country.
A loaf of Bread for 2 – €1.33
1l of whole fat milk – €1.12
12 large eggs – €3.70
500g of local cheese – €4.56
2l of coca-cola – €2.47
0.5l domestic beer – €1.70
1 bottle of red table wine – €7
Basic lunchtime menu + drink – €17
Combo meal in fast food restaurant – €9
1kg of tomatoes – €2.04
1kg of apples – €2.20
500g of boneless chicken breast – €5
1kg of potatoes – €1.68
4 rolls of toilet paper – €2
Tube of toothpaste – €2
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) – €7
1 box of 32 tampons – €5.30
50ml Deodorant/roll-on – €3.89
2-in-1 Hair shampoo – €3.48
1 pair of jeans – €70
1 summer dress – €50
1 pair of sports shoes – €75
A pair of men’s leather shoes – €120
a round white ceramic plate filled with waffle
Education
Belgium is divided into three regions: Flanders, Brussels, and Wallonia. Depending on your region, nationality, institution, and discipline you get to pay less than €1,000 on tuition.
Most universities in Wallonia charge non-EU students more than five times the amount paid by EU students on a specific course.
While universities In the Flemish Region charge both EU nationals and non-EU citizens around €1,200 per academic year.
Most Belgian universities are fair when they calculate your tuition fees, so don’t be afraid if you are a middle-class international student. If it’s higher, it is because of your income, course of study, or the available grants/scholarships available in the institution.
Belgian tuition fees
Here are some of the tuition fees collected by tertiary institutions in Belgium.
KU Leuven’s tuition fee is between €835 – €9,000 per academic year.
University of Namur tuition fees cost about €835 – €4,000 per academic year.
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) tuition fee is between €885 – €4,500 per academic year.
University of Liége tuition fee is around €835/year.
Transportation costs
Brussels has one of the most advanced transportation systems in the world. They use an advanced unified ticketing system that allows you to buy a generic ticket for any transport system of your choice.
Here’s the price of these tickets:
A single ticket is sold for €1.60
Five-trip card costs around €7.30
A Ten-trip card is sold for €11.20
The all-day card will cost you €4.30
The three-day card is €9.20
The monthly card is sold for €55.50
The annual card cost only €583.00
Trains and buses are the cheapest and most reliable options for most Belgium residents. You can also get a good bike if you want to beat traffic and get to your destination faster. Travel costs are also cheaper if you have a MOBIB card.