Have you applied for a job offer in Belgium and are counting down the days until you leave? If the employer does not provide accommodation, it is worth exploring by yourself the topic of renting apartments in this country. In today’s article, we suggest on how to rent an apartment in Belgium – what to pay attention to? How much is the rent? Check out!
Arrival and stay in Belgium – rules
When crossing the border with Belgium, each EU citizen can present one of the following documents:
- an ID card
- a passport
- a temporary passport
Within a period of up to 3 months, an EU citizen has the right to work and live in Belgium without obtaining any additional permits / documents. You only need within 10 days to report your stay to the relevant city authorities (usually the city or municipality office). If you don’t report it, it is punishable by a fine of 200 euros.
After 3 months, there is a possibility to submit an application for temporary residence in Belgium.
The condition for receiving a temporary residence permit is:
- employment under a contract of employment or active economic activity / status of a student at a Belgian university / status of an active job seeker;
- having health insurance;
- sufficient financial resources to live in Belgium (the amount depends on the place of submitting an application and earnings);
- report your stay.
A temporary residence card is issued for a maximum period of 5 years. After this period, the person has the opportunity to obtain a permanent residence card.
Check what are the earnings and costs of living in Belgium: Earnings in Belgium 2023 – How much on average is earned in Belgium?
How to rent an apartment in Belgium? – tips from europa.jobs
Before you make the final decision to live and work in Belgium, get acquainted with our tips about renting an apartment.
Here are some important information:
- The apartments’ market in Belgium is not as competitive as in other European countries, hence finding an apartment is relatively easy.
- The rental cost is not too high. Belgians spend around 30% of their net income on apartments.
- There are 2 types of rental agreements in Belgium:
- short-term – for a maximum period of 3 years,
- long-term (standard) – maximum 9 years.
- There is a provision in the rental agreement that the tenant has 6 months to move out if renovation work needs to be started or if the landlord or a member of his family wants to move into the rented apartment.
- In the opposite case, when the tenant wants to terminate the rental agreement after less than a year of its validity, he will be forced to pay a penalty of three monthly rents (similarly after 2 years – 2 rents, after 3 years – 1 rent).
- The tenant is responsible for most of the repairs in the apartment, while gaining a lot of freedom in arranging the apartment.
- The amount of rent depends on the arrangements of the real property owner. Prices for real property in Belgium are not regulated by law.
Where to look for an apartment in Belgium?
We recommend starting your search before leaving for Belgium. Belgian advertising portals specializing in renting apartments will be helpful:
How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Belgium?
In the table below, we present indicative prices of monthly rent for renting apartments and rooms in Belgium in selected larger and smaller cities. Please note that these prices are estimates only and may vary based on location, apartment size and other factors.
| City | Apartment / Room Type | Average rent price (EUR/month) |
| Brussels | 1-room apartment | EUR 900 – 1300 |
| 2-room apartment | EUR 1200 – 1800 | |
| 3-room apartment | EUR 1500 – 2500 | |
| Antwerp | 1-room apartment | EUR 700 – 1000 |
| 2-room apartment | EUR 1000 – 1500 | |
| 3-room apartment | EUR 1300 – 2000 | |
| Ghent | 1-room apartment | EUR 600 – 900 |
| 2-room apartment | EUR 900 – 1300 | |
| 3-room apartment | EUR 1200 – 1800 | |
| Charleroi | 1-room apartment | EUR 400 – 600 |
| 2-room apartment | EUR 500 – 800 | |
| 3-room apartment | EUR 700 – 1100 | |
| Liege | 1-room apartment | EUR 500 – 800 |
| 2-room apartment | EUR 700 – 1000 | |
| 3-room apartment | EUR 900 – 1400 |
Please note that these are only sample prices and actual rental prices may vary. It is also worth considering other costs, such as utilities, public utility charges and possible additional charges (e.g. for a garage). When renting an apartment in Belgium, it is always worth checking the current offers on dedicated real property portals, to get more accurate information on prices in a given location and time.
How to rent an apartment in Belgium? – step by step
The procedure for renting an apartment in Belgium is very simple. You can admit that finding an apartment is the hardest part of the whole process. The next steps are, dealing with the formalities with the landlord, which usually goes very smoothly.
Renting an apartment in Belgium step by step:
- Register on an advertising portal dedicated to real properties, in order to find an apartment or a room for rent.
- Prepare the necessary documents that will be required by the landlord: a copy of your ID card or passport, a document confirming employment and information about your finances.
- If you have found an apartment that interests you, contact the landlord by e-mail or by phone. Ask about apartment availability and make an appointment if possible.
- Before you decide to rent an apartment, see it in person. During your visit, pay particular attention to condition, facilities, and the surrounding area.
- Prepare questions for the owner. Ask for the exact price of the monthly rent, additional costs, agreement and deposit, and more.
- If you are decided, sign the rental agreement. Read it carefully, and if you have any doubts, consult them with the landlord. Make sure that the agreement includes clauses regarding the rental period, rent, additional charges. The agreement should be made in writing, one copy for each party.
- Remember to pay a deposit in the amount of one or two months’ rent and the first month’s rent before the start of the tenancy.
Short term rental in Belgium
If you take up a job in Belgium for a few months and need an apartment, then the best solution will be to sign a short-term agreement. Such an agreement is drawn up for the duration agreed by both parties and gives the possibility of three months’ notice.
If you are going to work for only a few weeks or for tourist purposes, we recommend looking for an apartment on portals such as Airbnb. In such a situation, you do not have to sign any agreement, but only pay for your stay with the host.
