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.
Education & Schools
Schools, universities, and language courses in Belgium.
👶 Childcare & Kindergarten
Flanders: subsidised childcare via Kind en Gezin (IKG places) with income-based fees. Brussels and Wallonia: ONE (Office de la Naissance et de l'Enfance) manages subsidised places. Waiting lists for subsidised places can be 12–24 months in Brussels and major cities.
Contact the crèche directly or use Kind en Gezin (Flanders) / ONE (French-speaking) to find available subsidised places. Private crèches have their own application process.
Completely free in public schools in Belgium. Compulsory from age 5 in Flanders (attendance compulsory from 5); recommended from 2.5.
Register directly at the neighbourhood school. In Brussels, a centralised enrolment system (Commissie inschrijvingen / Commission des inscriptions) applies for oversubscribed schools.
After-school care and holiday programmes are subsidised and available through schools and municipal facilities. Essential for working parents.
Register at your child's school or via the commune's childcare service.
🏫 Schools
Parents choose a school and register directly. In Flanders: enrolment period is typically January–March for the following September. In Brussels: centralised enrolment system for oversubscribed schools. Children of non-Belgian parents may need language support — many schools offer "onthaalonderwijs voor anderstalige nieuwkomers" (OKAN/DASPA: reception classes for new arrivals).
Same as primary school — parents choose and apply directly. OKAN/DASPA language reception classes also available at secondary level for newly arrived teenagers who do not yet speak the language of instruction.
🌍 International Schools
Brussels has the highest concentration of international schools in Europe, serving the large EU institutions, NATO, and multinational corporate community. Main schools include: European School Brussels (5 campuses — free for EU civil servant children; €5,000–22,000/year for others); St John's International School (IB); Brussels International Catholic School (BICS); The International School of Brussels (ISB); Antwerp International School; and many others. Fees range from €12,000 to €28,000/year. Scholarships and employer contributions are sometimes available. Registration opens in October–January for September intake.
🎓 University
Apply directly to the university. Major universities: KU Leuven (Flemish, Dutch-medium), UGent, VUB (bilingual Dutch/English), ULB (French-medium), UCLouvain, ULiège, UNamur. Many English-language master's programmes at all major universities. Application typically February–June for September start. International students may need additional documents and academic transcript translation.
🗣️ Language Courses
NT2 courses are mandatory for newcomers in Flanders under the integration programme (inburgeringstraject). Brussels newcomers are strongly encouraged to take NT2 or FLE courses. Register via your commune's integration service (onthaalbureau) or Huis van het Nederlands (Brussels).
Wallonia has a voluntary integration path (parcours d'intégration). French language courses are widely offered by FOREM, CPAS, and private language schools.
Highly regarded cultural institution for French language learning. Also organises cultural events and social activities for expats.
University language institutes are open to the public and offer quality courses in Dutch, French, and other languages at competitive prices.
Education & Schools
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