Cost of Living in Belgium- A Guide

Often addressed as the ‘Heart of Europe’ by various nations, Belgium is one of the smallest and most densely populated countries in the northwestern part of Europe. Its neighboring countries include Germany, France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Belgium gives tough competition to other nations when choosing it as a study abroad destination. The reasons backing the claim include a robust education system that emphasizes teaching and research in addition to community service. Languages spoken in the country include French, Dutch, and German. The country has a 99 % literacy rate. There are several opportunities to study in Belgium across various regions, including Brussels, Flanders, and Wallonia. There are courses taught in either Dutch or French, along with English. 

When it comes to affordability, Belgium does not disappoint international students. The cost of living in Belgium is reasonable for international students and comparatively cheaper than in other countries like London, Dublin, Pennsylvania, Amsterdam, and Pari,to name a few. Some universities impart free education or charge significantly less tuition fees.

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Basic Information

Before delving deeper into the cost of living in Belgium for international students, you should know some basic facts about the country. 

• Brussels is the capital of Belgium. 
• The languages spoken in Belgium include French, Dutch, English, and German. 
• The total population is approximately 11.4 million people. 
• The academic year is from September to June. 
• The currency used in Belgium is Euro. 
• The time zone is GMT+2, while the calling code is +32. 

Types of Cities

There are several kinds of cities in the country, including sizably-populated urban and rural cities and coastal zones. There are several cities in Belgium with low costs of living as well. Some of the biggest urban zones include Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent, Anderlecht, Charleroi, Bruges, Schaerbeek, and Liege. Major coastal cities include Ostend, Nieuwpoort, Blankenberge, Knokke-Heist, De Haan, and De Panne. 

Top Universities in Belgium

Along with computing the cost of living in Belgium for Indian students, take a closer look at the country’s top-ranked universities as per the QS World Rankings for 2023. 

Cost of Attendance

Tuition costs directly influence the average cost of living in Belgium. The average cost of studying in Belgium is 940 to 6,000 Euros per year for international students. Programs in dentistry, medicine, and MBA degrees cost significantly high. The credit/exam contract requires registration by paying approximately 245 Euros for the credit contract and 111 Euros for the examination contract. For the Wallonia Region, the average tuition fees are 835 Euros for European students, while this goes up to 4,175 Euros per year for international students. 

Rent

The cost of living in Belgium for a family is directly influenced by the rental amount. The monthly costs may hover between 1000 and 1,500 Euros depending on the location and the type of property that you are staying at. 

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Utilities 

The cost of utilities in Belgium varies on an individual basis. It includes heating, electricity, gas, water, etc., and costs around €79 for a person living in a 480 sqft studio.

Books

Books will cost you around 35 to 50 Euros per month. 

Conveyance

Transportation costs hover around 20 to 50 Euros after availing student discounts. 

What is the minimum cost of living in Belgium? It is not just your accommodation and education costs but also utilities. These may require 100-400 Euros to be paid each month.