Erasmus in Brussels

Brussels is both the capital of Belgium and the capital of the European Union, hosting the seats of the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. This dual role makes it a deeply cosmopolitan city, where about 30% of residents are non-Belgian, and where you bump into EU officials, diplomats, lobbyists and students from every corner of the world on a daily basis.

Officially bilingual French/Dutch, Brussels is home to several major universities: the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB, francophone), the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB, Dutch-speaking), Université Saint-Louis, and the Brussels campus of KU Leuven. Most master's programmes are offered in English, attracting thousands of Erasmus students every year.

Beyond its institutions, Brussels is also a city of everyday delights: trappist beers (Westmalle, Chimay, Orval), Belgian fries served in a cone with mayo, Brussels and Liège waffles, comic books (Hergé and Tintin were born here), the Atomium legacy of Expo 58, and the UNESCO-listed Grand-Place, arguably the most beautiful square in Europe.

The Brussels student housing market revolves around the kot, the traditional Belgian furnished room in a shared house or residence. The must-use platforms are Brukot.be (the local reference), Brik (the official student housing service of the Brussels-Capital Region), Erasmus Play, Spotahome, MyKot and Skot. Budget between €400 and €700 a month for a room, sometimes utilities included.

Neighbourhood-wise: Ixelles is the HQ of ULB students, Etterbeek is central for ULB, VUB and the EU quarter, Saint-Gilles and Anderlecht are more affordable, Schaerbeek is mixed and lively, the city centre is practical for everything, and the areas around Flagey or Châtelain are perfect for a hipster neighbourhood vibe.

Key tip: start searching in April-May for a September move-in. More than 70% of the good kots are taken before the end of June, and pressure spikes in August. Visit in person if possible (or ask for a video tour), and beware of listings demanding payment before signing.

The Brussels network is run by STIB-MIVB and covers metro, tram and bus. The unbeatable deal: the 18-24 school season pass at €12/YEAR, roughly €1/month — likely the best student fare in Europe (confirmed in 2026). To get it, go to a STIB point with your Belgian ID (eCard) and proof of Brussels residence.

The network has 6 metro lines (1, 2, 5, 6) plus many structuring trams (3, 4, 7, 25, 92) and dense bus coverage. The Villo! bike share complements the system, with a very affordable annual student subscription.

To leave Brussels, the SNCB (Belgian railways) offers very affordable intercity tickets, notably the Go Pass 10 (€52 for 10 youth trips under 26) which makes getaways to Bruges, Ghent or Antwerp almost free.

Brussels has two separate ESN networks, ESN ULB and ESN VUB, each running their own welcome weeks, trips and parties. The Belgian beer culture is sacred: head to Délirium Café (Guinness record with over 2000 beers on the menu), A la Mort Subite for tradition, and Moeder Lambic for hop-forward craft beers.

For nightlife, Place Flagey and Place du Châtelain concentrate the student bars and terraces. On Wednesday evenings, the Châtelain organic market has become the unmissable Brussels after-work. For fries, two temples fight over the title of best in the world: Frit Flagey and Maison Antoine (Place Jourdan). And of course, visit the Grand-Place, Manneken Pis and the Atomium, and take a trip to the Binche Carnival (Shrove Tuesday) in Wallonia for a wonderfully wild UNESCO tradition.

Brussels' geographic location is a gift for weekends: Bruges (~1h), Antwerp (~45 min), Ghent (~30 min), Amsterdam (~2h), Paris (~1h20 by Thalys) and London (~2h by Eurostar). Look into SNCB youth tickets and Go Pass deals to save money.

First mandatory step on arrival: register with the commune (district) where your kot is located (Ixelles, Etterbeek, Saint-Gilles, etc.). It's crucial because this registration unlocks access to the €12/year student transport pass — without it, you pay the full adult fare. Book the appointment online, and bring your passport, rental contract and an ID photo.

As an EU student, your trip to the commune ends with the issuance of a Belgian foreigner's eCard. For healthcare: the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is enough for EU citizens; non-EU students need to subscribe to a Belgian mutuelle (around €90/year) plus possibly additional insurance.

For banking, the main local players are BNP Paribas Fortis, KBC and Belfius, but neobanks N26 and Revolut do the job perfectly for the length of an Erasmus and avoid account fees.

Brussels is officially bilingual French-Dutch, but in practice French dominates by far (around 85% of daily speakers). Dutch remains very visible in signage, communal administrations and certain academic institutions (VUB in the lead).

Good news: English works everywhere, especially in the EU quarter, universities, bars and shops in the centre. Most master's programmes at VUB Solvay, Saint-Louis and IIHF are taught in English, and ULB also offers a wide English-language catalogue at master's level.

To learn the local languages: the Maison de la Francité offers French courses for foreigners at fair prices, and Huis van het Nederlands Brussel does the same for Dutch. ULB and VUB each have their own language centres, and ESN language tandems are perfect for practising in a fun setting.