Living in Brussels: the complete guide for renters [2026]

Brussels is a city of contrasts. Nineteen municipalities, two official languages, and a rental market that grows more competitive every year. Whether you've just arrived in Belgium, are relocating for work, or simply looking for a better home — this guide will set you on the right path.

We cover everything: from rental prices per municipality to practical tips for reacting faster than other searchers.

How much does renting in Brussels cost?

The figures in this article are based on the Federia/CIB Rental Barometer, the most comprehensive source on rental prices in Belgium. This barometer analyses new rental contracts concluded through real estate agents — approximately 8,400 contracts in Brussels for 2024.

The Brussels rental market reached a historic milestone in the first half of 2025: in no municipality does the average rent still fall below 1,000 euros per month. The average rent for a new contract now stands at 1,346 euros per month (Federia/CIB, H1 2025).

Prices by property type

Type	Average rent
Studio	860 euros/month
1 bedroom	1,082 euros/month
2 bedrooms	1,473 euros/month
3 bedrooms	2,064 euros/month

Source: CIB Rental Barometer H1 2025 — averages for new rental contracts in the Brussels-Capital Region.

Cheapest and most expensive municipalities

The price differences between municipalities are substantial. In 2024, the gap between the cheapest and most expensive municipality was 530 euros per month.

Municipality	Average rent (2024)
Ganshoren	956 euros
Anderlecht	973 euros
Jette	976 euros
Molenbeek-Saint-Jean	1,036 euros
Saint-Josse-ten-Noode	1,046 euros
Schaerbeek	1,064 euros
Berchem-Sainte-Agathe	1,087 euros
Evere	1,153 euros
Saint-Gilles	1,179 euros
Koekelberg	1,184 euros
Forest	1,201 euros
Watermael-Boitsfort	1,203 euros
Etterbeek	1,218 euros
Auderghem	1,255 euros
City of Brussels	1,289 euros
Woluwe-Saint-Lambert	1,353 euros
Ixelles	1,368 euros
Uccle	1,387 euros
Woluwe-Saint-Pierre	1,486 euros

Source: Federia/CIB Rental Barometer 2024 — average rent for apartments (all types). Published February 2025.

How is the market evolving?

The pace of increase is slowing. After a jump of +9% in 2023 and +5% in 2024, the increase in the first half of 2025 was only +2%. The market is stabilising, but affordable housing is becoming increasingly scarce: in 2024, three municipalities (Ganshoren, Anderlecht, Jette) still had an average below 1,000 euros — in the first half of 2025, no municipality had that anymore (Federia/CIB, September 2025).

Which municipality to live in?

Each Brussels municipality has its own character. We group them by atmosphere, price and profile, so you can quickly assess which neighbourhood suits you.

The rental prices mentioned are averages for all apartment types (studio to 4+ bedrooms), based on the Federia/CIB Rental Barometer 2024.

The popular choices

Ixelles

Ixelles is the most sought-after municipality in Brussels, and the rental prices reflect that. You'll find charming townhouses, lively squares like Place Flagey, trendy bars and restaurants, and the ULB campus. The area attracts a mix of young professionals, expats and students.

Atmosphere: Cosmopolitan, vibrant, a village within the city. Average rent: 1,368 euros/month. Popular neighbourhoods: Flagey, Brugmann, Molière, Abbaye de la Cambre. Transport: Tram 81, bus 71, close to Porte de Namur station.

Etterbeek

Small, quiet and residential. Etterbeek is popular with people working for the European institutions. You'll find typical Brussels townhouses from the early 20th century, and the Cinquantenaire Park is just around the corner.

Atmosphere: Quiet, international, village-like. Average rent: 1,218 euros/month. Popular neighbourhoods: Cinquantenaire Park area, Mérode. Transport: Metro Mérode and Schuman, close to the EU quarter.

Saint-Gilles

Saint-Gilles is the bohemian alternative to Ixelles. Ornate Art Nouveau facades, a creative atmosphere with artists and musicians, and slightly lower rents. The Stéphanie neighbourhood and the Ma Campagne-Barrière triangle are popular residential addresses.

Atmosphere: Creative, multicultural, up-and-coming. Average rent: 1,179 euros/month. Popular neighbourhoods: Stéphanie, Ma Campagne, Barrière. Transport: Tram 3 and 4, close to Brussels-South station.

The green suburban municipalities

Uccle

On the southern edge of Brussels, bordering the Sonian Forest. Uccle offers spacious detached houses, lots of greenery and a residential character. Ideal for families looking for space without leaving the city.

Atmosphere: Green, quiet, residential. Average rent: 1,387 euros/month. Popular neighbourhoods: Fort Jaco, Observatory, Vert Chasseur.

Watermael-Boitsfort

Surrounded by the Sonian Forest and the Bois de la Cambre, with a mix of renovated workers' cottages and villas. Charming, but prices are rising fast — Watermael-Boitsfort saw an increase of +15.6% in the first half of 2025.

Atmosphere: Wooded, charming, exclusive. Average rent: 1,203 euros/month.

Auderghem

Comparable to Uccle: a mix of green neighbourhoods and a commercial centre. Popular with EU employees thanks to the proximity of the European institutions and the Sonian Forest.

Atmosphere: Green, quiet, international. Average rent: 1,255 euros/month. Popular neighbourhoods: Beaulieu, Rouge-Cloître, Boulevard du Souverain.

Woluwe-Saint-Pierre and Woluwe-Saint-Lambert

The Woluwe municipalities are the most expensive in Brussels, with magnificent villas, the expansive Woluwe Park and a sense of calm you wouldn't expect so close to the centre. Popular with affluent families and close to international schools.

Atmosphere: Residential, quiet, green. Average rent: 1,353 euros/month (Woluwe-Saint-Lambert) — 1,486 euros/month (Woluwe-Saint-Pierre). Popular neighbourhoods: Woluwe Park, Avenue de Tervueren.

The affordable alternatives

Schaerbeek

Schaerbeek is one of the most diverse municipalities in Brussels. You'll find magnificent townhouses around Josaphat Park, the lively Place Demolder, and a mix of cultures. Note: rental prices rose by +10% in the first half of 2025.

Atmosphere: Multicultural, diverse, up-and-coming. Average rent: 1,064 euros/month. Popular neighbourhoods: Josaphat, Square Vergote, Demolder-Riga.

Forest

A quiet municipality on higher ground, with large parks (Forest Park, Duden Park) and charming Brussels houses. Forest offers more tranquillity than Saint-Gilles, with comparable architecture.

Atmosphere: Quiet, green, residential. Average rent: 1,201 euros/month. Popular neighbourhoods: Altitude 100, Duden Park, Molière-Longchamps.

Anderlecht

Spacious and green. Anderlecht was long one of the cheapest municipalities, but rental prices crossed the 1,000-euro threshold in the first half of 2025 (average 1,022 euros). The canal area is being extensively redeveloped.

Atmosphere: Spacious, green, developing. Average rent: 973 euros/month (2024) — 1,022 euros/month (H1 2025). Popular neighbourhoods: Neerpede, Scherdemael, Astrid.

Jette

The cheapest municipality in Brussels in 2024 (average 976 euros), though prices rose to 1,014 euros in the first half of 2025. Jette offers a pedestrian-friendly commercial centre and a mix of apartments and charming houses.

Atmosphere: Affordable, residential, friendly. Average rent: 976 euros/month (2024) — 1,014 euros/month (H1 2025).

Ganshoren, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe and Koekelberg

Three smaller municipalities in the west that are gaining popularity. You'll find nice small houses, modern apartments and the impressive Basilica of Koekelberg. Note: Ganshoren saw a strong catch-up of +14% in the first half of 2025.

Atmosphere: Residential, affordable, green surroundings. Average rent: 956 euros (Ganshoren) — 1,087 euros (Berchem-Sainte-Agathe) — 1,184 euros (Koekelberg) (2024).

Evere

Often overlooked, Evere offers affordable housing and is close to NATO headquarters in Haren. Ideal for those on a limited budget who still want to live in Brussels.

Atmosphere: Quiet, affordable, practical. Average rent: 1,153 euros/month.

The city centre

City of Brussels

The largest municipality (32.6 km²) with enormous variety. From the bustling city centre around the Grand-Place, through the stylish Louise quarter and the trendy Dansaert area, to the village-like Neder-Over-Heembeek and rural Haren.

Atmosphere: Everything in one: urban, historic, trendy. Average rent: 1,289 euros/month, highly dependent on the neighbourhood. Popular neighbourhoods: Dansaert, Louise, European quarter, Laeken.

How to find a rental in Brussels?

The Brussels rental market is competitive. Good properties often disappear within hours. With the right approach, you significantly increase your chances.

Step 1: Prepare your documents

Landlords and agents in Brussels expect you to act quickly. Make sure you have these documents ready:

• ID document (identity card or passport)
• Payslips from the last 3 months
• Employment contract or employer certificate
• Proof of rental guarantee (savings or bank guarantee)

Step 2: Search broadly and search fast

The biggest problem for most renters: they only search on the major portals (Immoweb, Zimmo). But many Brussels agents only list properties on their own website. This means you need to check dozens of websites separately, or use a tool like RentRadar that does it automatically for you.

Step 3: Respond immediately

If you see a property you like:

1. Call directly — a phone call is always faster than an email
2. Send a personal message — mention your situation, income and desired start date
3. Propose a viewing — preferably the same day or the next
4. Bring your documents to the viewing

Step 4: Know your rights during the viewing

During a viewing in Brussels, pay attention to these elements:

• EPC certificate: Mandatory for all rental properties of 18 m² or larger in Brussels. A poor rating (E, F, G) means high energy costs and limited rent indexation for the landlord (Brussels Environment).
• Inventory of fixtures: In Brussels, a detailed inventory of fixtures at the start is mandatory. Without this document, you are presumed to have received the property in good condition (be.brussels).
• Reference rent: Since May 2025, the rent may not exceed the reference rent by more than 20%, unless the landlord can justify this with specific comfort elements. You can calculate the reference rent at rents.brussels.
• Common charges: Ask about the provision for common charges and what it includes (lift, heating, maintenance).

Rental contract and regulations in Brussels

The Brussels-Capital Region has its own rental legislation, different from Flanders and Wallonia. The Brussels Housing Code was thoroughly reformed on 1 November 2024. Here are the key points:

Rental guarantee

• Maximum 2 months' rent (excluding charges) — reduced from 3 to 2 months since 1 November 2024
• The guarantee must be placed in a blocked bank account in the tenant's name — cash payment to the landlord is explicitly prohibited
• At the end of the contract, the landlord must return the guarantee within 2 months after handing over the keys, otherwise a penalty of 10% of the monthly rent per month of delay applies

Source: Brussels Housing Code, reform of 1 November 2024 (Verenigde Eigenaars; BRUZZ).

Contract registration

Since 1 January 2025, residential leases in Brussels must be registered twice: with the FPS Finance (federal, via MyRent) and with the Brussels-Capital Region (regional civil registration). The federal registration is free and must be completed within 2 months of signing.

Source: FPS Finance — "Registration of residential lease agreements in the Brussels-Capital Region from 1 January 2025".

Notice periods

For a standard residential lease (9 years), the following notice periods apply to the tenant:

• Year 1: 3 months' notice + compensation of 1.5 months' rent
• Year 2: 3 months' notice + compensation of 1 month's rent
• Year 3: 3 months' notice + compensation of 0.5 months' rent
• After 3 years: 3 months' notice, no compensation

Since 1 November 2024, the notice period starts on the day the recipient is deemed to have received the registered letter, and no longer automatically on the first day of the following month.

Source: Brussels Housing Code; mijnhabitat.be.

Rent indexation

The rent may be indexed annually according to the health index, provided that the contract allows it, the contract is registered and the tenant has received an EPC certificate. For properties with a poor EPC rating (E, F or G), a correction factor has been limiting indexation since October 2023.

You can calculate the reference rent for a specific property at rents.brussels.

Source: Brussels-Capital Region.

Living in Brussels as an expat

Brussels is one of the most international cities in Europe. Approximately 37% of residents hold a non-Belgian nationality (StatBel/IBSA, 2024), and the presence of the EU institutions and NATO headquarters attracts a large international community.

Popular municipalities for expats

• Etterbeek and Auderghem: Directly next to the EU institutions (Leopold quarter), quiet, well-connected
• Ixelles: Cosmopolitan, many international restaurants and shops
• Woluwe-Saint-Pierre: Close to international schools, green surroundings
• Evere: Close to NATO headquarters (Haren), affordable

What you need to arrange

1. Registration at the municipality: EU citizens staying less than 3 months must report within 10 days. For stays longer than 3 months, you must register within 3 months (IBZ).
2. Residence document: EU citizens first receive an Annex 19 (acknowledgement of receipt), then an Annex 8 (registration certificate) or EU card. Non-EU citizens need a visa.
3. Bank account: Required for the rental guarantee and direct debits
4. Health insurance: Mandatory for everyone residing in Belgium — you must join a mutual insurance fund within 3 months

Language barrier

Brussels is officially bilingual (Dutch and French). In practice, a large part of the population speaks French. In the EU quarter and international neighbourhoods, English is widely used. For administrative matters (municipality, rental contract), you can choose between Dutch and French.

Living in Brussels as a student

Brussels has several universities and colleges: ULB (French-speaking), VUB (Dutch-speaking), KU Leuven Brussels campus, UCLouvain Saint-Louis (merged with UCLouvain since 2023), and more.

Options for students

• Student rooms: Through the university or private landlords. The average price for student housing in Brussels is 680 euros per month (charges included), making Brussels the most expensive city in Belgium for students (VRT NWS, December 2024). A basic room without charges starts around 400 euros.
• Shared studio or apartment: Popular in Ixelles (near ULB/VUB) and the city centre.
• Student lease: The Brussels Housing Code provides a specific student lease with a maximum duration of 12 months, renewable. The student can terminate at any time with 2 months' notice, without compensation.

Tips for students

• Start looking early (May-June for the academic year)
• Ask for the EPC certificate of the property
• Watch the total cost: rent + charges + internet + insurance

Conclusion

The Brussels rental market is competitive, but not impossible. The key to success is threefold:

1. Know what you're looking for — choose your municipality based on budget, atmosphere and accessibility
2. Be prepared — documents ready, budget calculated, rights known
3. React fast — the best properties are gone within hours

With 19 municipalities and enormous variety in price and character, there's a place for everyone in Brussels. It's about finding that place before someone else does.

Sources

• Federia/CIB Rental Barometer 2024 — published February 2025. Analysis of approximately 8,400 new rental contracts in Brussels. federia.immo
• Federia/CIB Rental Barometer H1 2025 — published September 2025. CIB Community
• FPS Finance — Lease registration in Brussels. fin.belgium.be
• Brussels-Capital Region — Rental legislation and reference rents. be.brussels
• Brussels Environment — EPC certificate obligation. leefmilieu.brussels
• StatBel/IBSA — Brussels population composition 2024. statbel.fgov.be
• IBZ — Registration and reporting obligation. ibz.be
• VRT NWS — Student housing prices, December 2024. vrt.be
• Rents.brussels — Calculate reference rents. loyers.brussels