International students who are EU/EEA, Swiss, or UK nationals do not need a visa to study in Belgium. However, it is obligatory to register at the town hall in the city in which you will be residing.

Non-EU/EEA students who want to stay in Belgium for longer than three months need to apply for a student visa. Top tip: Start your application at the Belgian embassy in your home country as early as possible, as the procedure can easily take up between 6-8 weeks. You must submit a copy of your passport, an admission letter from your university, proof of solvency, a certificate of good conduct, a medical certificate, and proof of payment for application fees. The current visa application fee for students is EUR€208.

Many banks have branches in Belgium and can be found in all Belgian cities. Several banks, including ING, BNP Paribas Fortis, and KBC, provide expat services to support international employees and students. Make sure to research each bank before choosing one, as costs for services can vary from bank to bank.

To open a bank account in Belgium, you need to show your passport or another form of identification, proof of residence, and your lease agreement – or you need to show your residence permit. If you are not an EU/EEA, Swiss, or UK national, you will first need to register at the local town hall to obtain the proper forms. You can then proceed to your chosen Belgian bank with the required documents, a copy of your ID, and your home country’s TIN (Tax Identification Number) to open a bank account. Some banks allow you to open a bank account online; you simply submit an online request and the bank will inform you of the next steps.

The healthcare system in Belgium is one of the best in the European Union. The Euro Health Consumer Index (EHCI) 2018 ranked Belgium as the fifth-best national healthcare system in Europe.

EU/EEA, Swiss, and UK citizens can apply for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Non-EU/EEA students should apply for a health insurance policy in Belgium – note that Belgian insurance will cover 75% of doctor and hospital visits and only around 20% of prescriptions and basic dental costs. You will need to provide proof of enrollment when purchasing healthcare insurance. Many large universities in Belgium have medical centers which are available to students who need healthcare.

Universities in Belgium have limited on-campus student accommodation. However, there are plenty of off-campus housing options available to students, such as apartments, studios, and rooms. You can rent a room in a shared apartment ranging between EUR€300 and EUR€700 per month. In bigger cities, like Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp, and Leuven, rental prices will be higher.

The standard rental period is typically 12 months – don’t forget to check if utilities, such as water, electricity, and heating, are included in the monthly rent. Hiring an estate agent to look for accommodation will come with extra costs.

Belgium has impressive public transportation options, including trains, buses, trams, and metros. It is also very well-connected to some of Europe’s biggest cities. You can use a MoBIB (Mobility in Belgium) card to get around in Belgium. The card works for all transport options across the country. You can load different products onto your card, including monthly or annual subscriptions and multi-trip tickets. MoBIB cards can also be used to pay for car parking and car- and bike-sharing services.

Discounted ticket options are also available for students and young people. For young people (under 26 years old), train tickets anywhere within Belgium are only EUR€6.60, making it easy to travel and explore the continent!

The Big Mac Index was invented by The Economist in 1986 as an informal way of measuring the purchasing power parity (PPP) between two currencies. The price of a Big Mac in Belgium is around EUR€4 (equivalent to US$4.22 and JP¥540). For US$50, you can buy 11 Big Macs.

Belgium is a relatively affordable place to live, compared to other countries in Europe. Most leisure activities, like sports facilities and transportation, offer student discounts, making the cost of living in Belgium for students quite affordable. The Belgian government requires international students to have a budget of at least EUR€730 (around US$800) per month. This is just under US$10,000 per year for accommodation, food, transportation, and basic personal needs. You should budget more for rent if you plan to live in bigger cities like Brussels or Ghent.