Belgium (BE)
Belgium is a small but densely populated federal kingdom at the crossroads of Western Europe, split across three linguistic regions — Dutch-speaking Flanders, French-speaking Wallonia, and bilingual Brussels — and famed for its medieval cities, world-class beer and chocolate, and its role as the de facto capital of the European Union.
Capital: Brussels
Region: Europe
Language: Dutch
Currency: EUR (€)
Cost of living: Expensive (index 72)
Emergency: 112
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Cost of Living
Real prices in Belgium — 2026 data in EUR.
72
Cost of living index
(100 = NYC reference)
Moderately priced. Similar to or slightly less than Western European averages.
Rent
Studio / 1-bed apartment — Brussels city centre €950–€1,350/month
2-bed apartment — Brussels city centre €1,400–€2,000/month
2-bed apartment — Brussels suburbs / commune €1,100–€1,600/month
3-bed family house — Brussels periphery €1,600–€2,500/month
Studio / 1-bed apartment — Ghent city centre €800–€1,200/month
2-bed apartment — Antwerp city centre €1,100–€1,700/month
2-bed apartment — Liège city centre €700–€1,000/month
Student room (kot / chambre étudiante) €400–€700/month (utilities sometimes included)
Food & Groceries
Budget supermarket (Lidl, Aldi) — weekly shop for 1 €40–€60
Mid-range supermarket (Colruyt, Carrefour) — weekly shop for 1 €55–€80
Premium supermarket (Delhaize, Cru) — weekly shop for 1 €80–€120
Baguette / bread loaf €0.80–€2.50
Litre of milk €0.85–€1.30
12 eggs €2.80–€4.50
1 kg chicken breast €7–€12
Belgian beer (6-pack, supermarket) €5–€10
1 kg pasta €1.20–€2.50
1 kg tomatoes €1.80–€3.50
Dining Out
Coffee (espresso or Americano) €2.50–€4.00
Beer in a café (pint / 25cl) €2.50–€4.50
Sandwich / lunchtime meal €6–€12
Lunch menu at a bistro (2 courses) €14–€22
Dinner in a mid-range restaurant (per person) €30–€55
Moules-frites at a brasserie €22–€35
Pizza / pasta at a casual restaurant €12–€20
Fast food meal (McDonald's / Quick) €8–€12
Belgian waffle from a street vendor €2–€4
Belgian pralines (250g box, quality chocolatier) €12–€25
Transport
STIB/MIVB single metro/tram/bus ticket (Brussels) €2.50
STIB/MIVB monthly pass (Brussels) €54.50/month
De Lijn / TEC monthly pass (Flanders / Wallonia) €35–€55/month
NMBS/SNCB monthly train commuter pass (Brussels–Ghent) €105–€140/month
NMBS/SNCB Brussels–Bruges return (standard) €28–€38
Uber / taxi within Brussels (3–5 km) €12–€20
Villo! / Blue-Bike cycle rental (annual subscription) €35–€80/year
Thalys/Eurostar Brussels–Paris (advance booking) €25–€80 one way
Fuel (unleaded 95 per litre) €1.65–€1.85
Utilities
Electricity + gas (average apartment) €150–€220/month (indexed; variable by supplier)
Water (average apartment) €25–€50/month
Internet (fibre 500 Mbps) €35–€55/month
Mobile phone plan (unlimited calls + 20 GB data) €20–€35/month
TV subscription (Telenet / Proximus) €30–€60/month
Health & Insurance
GP visit (co-payment with GMD/DMG file) €4–€8
GP visit without GMD file €22–€30 out of pocket
Dental check-up (reimbursable portion) €8–€15 co-payment
Prescription medication (basic, co-payment) €0–€10
Specialist consultation (private, non-reimbursed) €80–€150
Childcare
Crèche / day nursery (full-time, subsidised — Flanders) €0.60–€32/day (income-based)
Private crèche (full-time) €900–€1,500/month
International school (annual fees) €12,000–€28,000/year
Belgian public school (all levels) Free (minor activity fees €50–€200/year)
University (Belgian institution, EU student) €850–€1,200/year registration fee
French/Dutch language course (group, 3 months) €200–€600 (subsided options available)
Leisure
Cinema ticket €10–€14
Museum entry (Brussels major museum) €8–€15
Theatre / concert (mid-range venue) €20–€60
Belgian football match (Jupiler Pro League) €15–€40
Netflix / Disney+ streaming (standard) €10–€17/month
Belgian craft beer tasting (3 beers, specialist bar) €15–€25
Gym membership (fitness club) €30–€70/month
Haircut (men, city salon) €15–€30
Haircut (women, mid-range salon) €35–€80
Cost of Living
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