Student housing in Brussels is “scarce and expensive”

University students in Brussels pay an average of €446 per month for accommodation. More than one-third of students experience difficulty finding suitable housing in the city, according to a survey on student life in Brussels carried by the Urban Development Agency (ADT/ATO).

The average Brussels student pays €446 per month on housing, including expenses. Half of the students manage to find a place to stay for less than €400 a month, usually in university housing which costs around €200-300 per month in total. The most expensive housing for students is in one-person flats or studios and private residences or apartments that are shared by a group of students.

Around 36% of students experienced difficulty finding suitable housing, citing not only the high prices as a problem, but also the duration of the contracts – typically 12 months – making it particularly difficult for foreign students who come to Brussels for only one semester or for a short-term internship.