Cost of Living in Belgium

RESTAURANTS

Belgium is a country where culinary skills are valued and emphasized.

The quality and variety of dining places are of great importance here, and that is why you can either find cheaper options for not more than $10 per person, or the more posh ones where meals can be $100.

MARKETS

Groceries are somehow expensive here and many people tend to buy them at discounted prices in those supermarkets that offer them.

The foodstuff prices vary but the average spending on monthly groceries is around $120 per person.

Again, it all depends on the brands of food you buy and the places where you purchase it.

TRANSPORTATION

The cities in Belgium have excellent and well-organized public transport.

In major Belgian cities, it is sometimes advisable to use it rather than travel with your own car, and a transport pass for the whole month would cost you approximately $53.

A one-way ticket is affordable only for those who do not often use public transportation.

UTILITIES (MONTHLY)

Besides paying the rent which is not at all feasible if you get the minimum salary and have a big family, you need to have enough money to pay about $190 a month for utilities.

If the Internet service is added to that, then $200 a month would not be enough to cover these expenses.

SPORTS & LEISURE

Entertainment options in Belgium are numerous.

They are designed so as to suit everyone’s budget and they are available in all major cities.

Paying $30 for a fitness pass is not expensive when compared to the living standard, but renting a tennis court for one hour of practice can be taken as expensive.

CLOTHING & SHOES

Belgium is considered to have high-cost clothes, but when compared to some other countries with lower wages and a worse standard of living, buying designer clothing items would not be too unreasonable.

Still, if you are coming from a less developed country, paying $100 for a pair of running shoes would not be taken as a bargain.

RENT PER MONTH

Belgium has low mortgage interest rates and it is possible to buy your own property there.

If you still cannot afford that, you can rent an apartment in Belgium and pay for a flat with only one bedroom from $700 to $850, depending on the location.

HEALTHCARE

Belgium has a universal public healthcare system funded through social security contributions of about 7 percent of salary, plus taxes.

Residents are also required to join a mutual insurance fund, costing around 10 to 15 USD per month.

Supplemental private insurance typically costs 20 to 40 USD per month.

Out-of-pocket spending averages about 800 to 1,100 USD per person per year.

With average monthly salaries around 3,800 USD, healthcare costs are well balanced and affordable for most residents.

EDUCATION

Public primary and secondary schools are mostly tuition-free, with small administrative fees and costs for uniforms, books and supplies.

Private schools charge tuition typically between $5,000 and $15,000 per year.

Public universities charge modest tuition; for Belgian and EU students, fees are around $1,000 to $2,000 per year, while non-EU students pay higher tuition, around $4,000 to $6,000 annually.

Private universities and programs can exceed $10,000 per year.

Students also cover housing, food, transport and textbooks.

Average monthly income is about $4,000, making education relatively affordable, though private schooling can be a larger expense.