Brussels, Belgium - Complete City Guide

🌟 Overview

Brussels, the heart of Europe and unofficial capital of the EU, offers digital nomads a unique blend of medieval charm, political significance, and modern conveniences. This compact city punches above its weight with world-class museums, incredible food scene [hello, waffles and chocolate!], and a central location that makes it perfect for exploring the rest of Europe. Despite being a major political hub, Brussels maintains a surprisingly laid-back atmosphere with plenty of green spaces and cozy cafés perfect for remote work.

The city's multicultural nature, thanks to its international community of diplomats, EU workers, and expats, creates an incredibly welcoming environment for digital nomads. You'll find English widely spoken, excellent infrastructure, and a work-life balance culture that Europeans are famous for. Plus, with Amsterdam, Paris, and London all within a few hours by train, Brussels serves as an ideal base for European adventures.

Best for: First-time European nomads, history buffs, foodies, nomads who love a central European base, those seeking a blend of work and cultural experiences.

Key highlights:

  • Central European location with excellent transport links
  • Rich history and stunning architecture
  • Incredible food and drink culture
  • Strong expat and international community
  • High-quality infrastructure and healthcare
  • English widely spoken

Best time to visit: April to September for pleasant weather, though Brussels is lovely year-round. December is magical for Christmas markets, while January-March can be gray but less crowded and cheaper.

📍 Quick Facts

  • Population: 1.2 million [metro area]
  • Language[s]: Dutch, French [English widely spoken]
  • Currency: Euro [EUR]
  • Time zone: Central European Time [CET/CEST]
  • Climate overview: Temperate oceanic climate with mild summers [15-25°C] and cool winters [0-7°C]. Expect some rain year-round, so pack an umbrella!

💰 Cost of Living

Monthly estimates:

Accommodation:

  • Budget [shared apartment/studio]: €600-900
  • Mid-range [1-bedroom apartment]: €900-1,400
  • Luxury [modern 1-2 bedroom]: €1,400-2,500+

Food & Dining:

  • Budget [cooking + occasional eating out]: €300-450
  • Mid-range [mix of cooking and dining out]: €450-700
  • Upscale [regular restaurant dining]: €700-1,000+

Transportation: €50-80 [monthly public transport pass] Entertainment: €200-400 Coworking space membership: €150-350 Total estimated monthly budget: €1,300-2,200 [comfortable living], €2,200+ [luxury]

🏢 Coworking Spaces

Silversquare: €200-300/month

  • Multiple locations across Brussels
  • Modern spaces with excellent networking events
  • Great community of international professionals

Fosbury & Sons: €250-400/month

  • Premium design-focused spaces
  • Locations in Boitsfort and Uccle
  • High-end amenities and strong community

Seats2meet: €150-250/month

  • Affordable option with good facilities
  • Multiple locations
  • Regular networking events

Regus/Spaces: €200-350/month

  • International chain with several Brussels locations
  • Professional atmosphere
  • Flexible membership options

The Satellite: €180-280/month

  • Boutique coworking space
  • Great for creatives and startups
  • Strong community focus

Betacowork: €160-220/month

  • More budget-friendly option
  • Good basic amenities
  • Friendly local community

🏠 Best Neighborhoods for Digital Nomads

Ixelles/Elsene Brussels' bohemian quarter with excellent cafés, restaurants, and nightlife. Home to many young professionals and students.

  • Pros: Vibrant atmosphere, great food scene, good transport links
  • Cons: Can be noisy, slightly higher rents
  • Typical rent: €800-1,300 for 1-bedroom

Uccle Upscale residential area with green spaces and a more suburban feel while still being well-connected.

  • Pros: Quiet, safe, beautiful parks, great for families
  • Cons: More expensive, less nightlife
  • Typical rent: €1,000-1,800 for 1-bedroom

Saint-Gilles Hip, multicultural neighborhood with great art scene and affordable options.

  • Pros: Diverse, artistic, good value, excellent food scene
  • Cons: Some areas can be gritty, gentrification ongoing
  • Typical rent: €700-1,100 for 1-bedroom

European Quarter Heart of EU institutions, very international and well-connected.

  • Pros: International community, excellent transport, safe
  • Cons: Can feel corporate, more expensive
  • Typical rent: €900-1,500 for 1-bedroom

Schaerbeek Up-and-coming area with good value and growing creative scene.

  • Pros: Affordable, authentic, improving rapidly
  • Cons: Some areas still developing, further from center
  • Typical rent: €600-1,000 for 1-bedroom

📶 Internet & Connectivity

  • Average internet speed: 50-100 Mbps [very reliable]
  • Reliability: Excellent - Belgium has one of Europe's best internet infrastructures
  • Best providers: Proximus, Orange Belgium, Telenet
  • Café wifi situation: Excellent - most cafés, restaurants, and public spaces offer free, reliable WiFi
  • SIM card options:
    • Proximus: €20-40/month for unlimited data
    • Orange: €15-35/month
    • Mobile Vikings: €15-25/month [budget option]
    • Tourist SIM available at airport for €20-30

✈️ Visa Information

  • Visa-free stay: 90 days within 180-day period for most nationalities [Schengen area]
  • Tourist visa: Not required for most Western countries
  • Digital nomad visa: No specific digital nomad visa, but Belgium offers various work permits
  • Visa extension options: Limited for tourists; consider neighboring countries for "visa runs"
  • Requirements: Valid passport with 6+ months validity, proof of accommodation, return ticket, sufficient funds [€50/day minimum]

Note: EU citizens can stay and work indefinitely

🚇 Transportation

Getting from airport:

  • Train to Brussels Central: €8.50, 20 minutes [most convenient]
  • Bus: €6, 30-45 minutes
  • Taxi: €35-45, 20-30 minutes
  • Uber: €25-35

Public transportation:

  • STIB/MIVB network [metro, trams, buses]
  • Single ticket: €2.10
  • 10-journey ticket: €14
  • Monthly pass: €49
  • Day pass: €7.50

Bike-sharing: Villo! - €1.60/day or €31/year subscription Taxi/ride-sharing: Uber, Bolt [€8-15 for cross-city trips]

🍜 Food & Dining

Local cuisine highlights:

  • Belgian waffles [€3-6]
  • Moules-frites [mussels and fries, €12-18]
  • Belgian chocolate [€2-5 per piece for premium]
  • Belgian beer [300+ varieties, €3-8]
  • Carbonade flamande [beef stew, €14-20]

Typical meal costs:

  • Street food/quick lunch: €5-10
  • Casual restaurant: €12-20
  • Mid-range dinner: €25-40
  • Fine dining: €50-80+
  • Coffee: €2-4
  • Beer at bar: €3-6

Best areas for restaurants: Ixelles, Sainte-Catherine, Grand Place area, Châtelain Dietary options: Excellent vegetarian/vegan scene, especially in Ixelles and Saint-Gilles Street food scene: Food trucks near universities, weekend markets, friteries [fry shops] everywhere

🎯 Things to Do

Top attractions:

  • Grand Place [UNESCO World Heritage]
  • Atomium [€16]
  • Royal Museums of Fine Arts [€15]
  • Manneken Pis
  • European Parliament tours [free]
  • Comic Strip Museum [€10]

Free activities:

  • Parc du Cinquantenaire
  • Royal Galleries of Saint Hubert
  • Sunday market at Place du Jeu de Balle
  • Mont des Arts viewpoint
  • Marolles neighborhood exploration

Day trips:

  • Ghent [1 hour by train, €14]
  • Bruges [1 hour by train, €15]
  • Antwerp [45 minutes, €8]
  • Amsterdam [2 hours, €25-35]

Outdoor activities:

  • Sonian Forest hiking
  • Cycling through Flanders countryside
  • Kayaking in Dinant [1.5 hours away]

Social activities: Join Nomad Connect events, coworking space meetups, beer tastings, cooking classes

🏥 Healthcare

  • Healthcare quality: World-class, ranked among top 10 globally
  • Medical insurance recommendations: EHIC for EU citizens, comprehensive travel insurance for others [€50-100/month]
  • Hospital options:
    • Saint-Luc University Hospital
    • Erasme Hospital
    • Many private clinics
  • Pharmacy availability: Pharmacies everywhere, some open 24/7
  • Average consultation costs: €25-50 for GP, €80-150 for specialists [often reimbursed with insurance]

🛡️ Safety

  • Overall safety rating: Very safe [8.5/10]
  • Areas to avoid: Some parts of Molenbeek and Schaerbeek late at night [though improving rapidly]
  • Common scams: Pickpocketing in tourist areas, overcharging tourists, fake petitions
  • Emergency numbers:
    • Police/Fire/Ambulance: 112
    • Police: 101
  • Safety tips: Standard European city precautions, watch belongings on public transport, avoid empty areas late at night

👥 Community & Networking

Brussels has a fantastic international community thanks to its status as Europe's political capital. The expat and digital nomad community is substantial and very welcoming, with professionals from every corner of the globe calling Brussels home temporarily or permanently.

Nomad Connect community: Join Nomad Connect to tap into Brussels' thriving digital nomad scene! The platform is THE go-to resource for finding meetups, networking events, coworking buddies, and connecting with like-minded nomads in the city. From weekly coffee meetups to professional networking events, Nomad Connect hosts regular gatherings that make it easy to build both personal and professional relationships.

Local meetup groups: Brussels has active expat meetups, entrepreneurship events, and language exchanges. Many of these are organized through Nomad Connect's event system. The city also hosts regular startup events, particularly around the European Quarter.

Coworking space events: Most coworking spaces host weekly networking events, workshops, and social hours. Fosbury & Sons and Silversquare are particularly known for their community events.

Meeting other nomads: Beyond Nomad Connect events, you'll easily meet fellow nomads at popular coworking spaces, international cafés in Ixelles, and at expat-friendly bars. The city's compact size means you'll start recognizing familiar faces quickly!

📱 Essential Apps

Transportation:

  • STIB/MIVB [public transport]
  • Uber/Bolt
  • Villo! [bike sharing]

Food delivery:

  • Deliveroo
  • Uber Eats
  • Takeaway.com

Banking/payment:

  • Revolut/Wise [best for nomads]
  • Payconiq [local mobile payments]

Language learning:

  • Duolingo [French/Dutch]
  • HelloTalk

Local services:

  • Brussels City App
  • WeatherPro
  • Nomad Connect [community & events]

💡 Pro Tips

  1. Get a MOBIB card for public transport - it's cheaper than individual tickets and works on all transport types.

  2. Learn basic French greetings - while English is widely spoken, locals appreciate the effort, especially in shops and restaurants.

  3. Thursday is the new Friday - many bars and restaurants have special events on Thursday nights due to the EU parliament schedule.

  4. Visit during EU Open Days in spring - free access to normally restricted EU buildings and institutions.

  5. Take advantage of museum free days - many museums offer free entry on first Wednesday or Sunday of the month.

  6. Stock up on Belgian chocolate at supermarkets - tourist shops charge 3x more for similar quality.

  7. Use the weekend for day trips - Belgium's excellent train system makes it easy to explore neighboring countries affordably.

❌ Cons & Challenges

Weather: Can be gray and rainy, especially October-March. Invest in good rain gear and vitamin D supplements.

Language barrier: While English is common, official bureaucracy is often only in French or Dutch, which can be frustrating.

High taxes: If you become a resident, Belgium has some of Europe's highest tax rates [though services are excellent].

Limited nightlife hours: Bars close relatively early [2 AM] compared to other European capitals.

Bureaucracy: Government processes can be slow and complex, especially for residence permits or official documents.

Cost of eating out: Restaurant prices are high compared to cooking at home - budget accordingly.

Weekend quietness: City can feel quite quiet on weekends as many locals head to the coast or countryside.

🔗 Useful Links

Last updated: December 2024 Contribute: Have updates or corrections? Share your experience on Nomad Connect!