Living in Brussels
Belgium · temperate
Brussels is a big city of roughly 1,200,000 people inland in Belgium. The climate is temperate. It keeps a balanced mix of locals and visitors and is considered very safe. A typical month of living costs around $2,050. Healthcare is strong, and the internet is fast enough for full-time remote work. People come here for food and eating out, art and culture, history.
The public health service (5/5) is stronger than the private one: insurance here is an extra, not a necessity.
Brussels at a glance: cost, climate, safety
Who tends to love living in Brussels
- Feeling safe day to day
- Working remotely with reliable internet
- Getting around on foot
- A genuinely good food scene
- Access to strong healthcare
- Raising a family
All parameters
💉 Childhood vaccines: Compulsory by lawVaccines: 1
Belgium makes exactly one vaccine compulsory, polio, by a royal decree of 1966, and recommends all the others.
If you skip them: For polio, a fine and, on the books, eight days to a month in jail. Nobody serves it.
Exemptions: Medical only.
Source: Vaccines 2024;12:1296, European survey
➖ Popularity & prices: Steady
Accommodation prices have moved about +18% in the last 5 years.
Estimates, for orientation only.
🔭 Where this place is heading
Today’s data. Tap a year to see where it is heading.
⚠️ The downsides of living in Brussels
- •Nothing major on our radar, still, verify visas and healthcare for your case.
Health, air (WHO PM2.5), water & crime figures are rough country-level estimates, verify for your case.
Where is Brussels?
₿ Spend Bitcoin around Brussels
Open the Bitcoin merchant maps for this area, cafés, shops and ATMs that accept Bitcoin.
Merchants: BTC Map, from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Events and meetups: Club Orange.
Questions, answered
How much does it cost to live in Brussels, Belgium?
A typical month in Brussels costs around $2,050, covering rent and everyday expenses for one person. It is an estimate meant for comparing places, not for budgeting exactly.
Is Brussels, Belgium safe?
Arcadia rates personal safety in Brussels at 4 out of 5, which is good.
What is the internet like in Brussels?
Internet in Brussels is rated 5 out of 5 for remote work, which is excellent. Starlink is available in this country.
What is the weather like in Brussels?
Brussels has a temperate climate.
Is healthcare good in Brussels?
Healthcare in Brussels is rated 4 out of 5 overall, which is good. Public healthcare is 5/5 and private healthcare 3/5.
How easy is it to move to Belgium?
Arcadia rates the ease of getting residency in Belgium at 3 out of 5, which is reasonable. The place page lists the visa routes that apply and which depend on your passport.
Is Brussels actually right for you?
Brussels is one of 3,500+ places we compare. Answer a few honest questions and we will tell you the handful that truly fit your life, ranked and explained.
Find my place →⏱️ ~5 min · one payment · no newsletter