💰 Cost of Living
Average monthly expenses for a digital nomad
🏠 Accommodation
🍜 Food & Dining
🚗 Transportation
🎯 Other
⚡ Digital Nomad Essentials
Everything you need to work remotely from Brussels
📶 Internet
☁️ Weather
✈️ Transport
🛂 Visa
✓Advantages
- ✓Heart of EU - excellent networking opportunities
- ✓Multicultural city with 180+ nationalities
- ✓World-class food scene - chocolate, beer, waffles
- ✓Central European location - easy travel to Paris, Amsterdam, London
- ✓High English proficiency - easy to navigate
- ✓Excellent public transport - metro, tram, bus network
- ✓Rich cultural heritage - Art Nouveau architecture, museums
- ✓Strong digital nomad community and coworking scene
- ✓High quality healthcare system
- ✓Safe and walkable city center
✗Disadvantages
- ✗High cost of living compared to Eastern Europe
- ✗Weather can be grey and rainy much of the year
- ✗High taxes for residents and businesses
- ✗Some areas feel unsafe at night near train stations
- ✗Bureaucracy can be slow and complicated
- ✗Limited nightlife compared to other capitals
- ✗Public transport can be crowded during rush hours
- ✗Finding apartments can be competitive
- ✗Language barrier in some neighborhoods
- ✗Expensive coworking spaces
💼 Top Coworking Spaces
Best places to work in Brussels
Silversquare Europe
📍 Square de Meeûs 35, 1000 Brussels • 200 Mbps • Meeting rooms
Betacowork
📍 Rue des Pères Blancs 4, 1040 Etterbeek • 150 Mbps • Meeting rooms
Factory Forty
📍 Rue des Anciens Étangs 40, 1190 Forest • 100 Mbps • Meeting rooms
Silversquare Louise
📍 Avenue Louise 523, 1050 Ixelles • 200 Mbps • Meeting rooms
The Mug
📍 Rue Charles Martel 6-8, 1000 Brussels • 80 Mbps • Meeting rooms
☕ Best Cafes to Work From
Laptop-friendly cafes with good WiFi
Belga & Co
📍 Châtelain
Café Capitale
📍 Châtelain
Café Belga
📍 Flagey
Jat' Café
📍 City Center
OR Coffee Roasters
📍 City Center
La Fourmilière
📍 Marolles
🏘️ Best Neighborhoods
Where to stay in Brussels
Ixelles
The most popular neighborhood for expats and digital nomads, offering a perfect blend of trendy cafés, Art Nouveau architecture, and vibrant nightlife. Divided into distinct areas: Châtelain for upscale boutiques and weekly markets, Flagey for freshwater ponds and cultural events, and Matongé (African Quarter) for diverse food and music. Half of residents are international, making it easy to connect. Home to universities and a thriving creative scene.
Saint-Gilles
A bohemian and artistic neighborhood perfect for budget-conscious nomads seeking an alternative vibe. Known for stunning Art Nouveau streets, multicultural cafés, Moroccan and Turkish cuisine, and a thriving arts scene. The Parvis de Saint-Gilles is a car-free zone hosting daily markets and surrounded by terraced restaurants. Close to Gare du Midi for Eurostar connections. Significantly more affordable than neighboring Ixelles.
European Quarter
The professional hub of Brussels, home to EU institutions including the European Commission and Parliament. Offers excellent coworking spaces, high-speed internet, and networking opportunities with international professionals. Parc du Cinquantenaire provides green space for breaks. More corporate atmosphere but perfect for those working with EU-related businesses or seeking a professional environment. Higher rents but excellent amenities.
Etterbeek
A quiet residential commune bordering the European Quarter, offering a peaceful alternative to busier neighborhoods. Popular with families and professionals seeking work-life balance. Home to excellent international schools and good public transport connections including metro and train. Green spaces and a village-like atmosphere while still being central. More affordable than Ixelles with similar quality of life.
🏛️ Top Attractions
Best things to do in Brussels
Grand Place
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. Surrounded by ornate Gothic and Baroque guildhalls, the stunning Town Hall, and the Maison du Roi (Brussels City Museum). The square transforms throughout the year with the famous Flower Carpet in summer and magical Christmas markets in winter. Spectacular when illuminated at night. Free to visit and a must-see starting point for exploring Brussels.
Atomium
Brussels' most iconic landmark, built for the 1958 World Expo. This striking 102-meter structure represents an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. Take Europe's fastest elevator to the top sphere for panoramic city views. Inside, explore permanent exhibitions on the Expo's history and Belgian design. The structure sparkles magically at night with thousands of lights. Located in Heysel, easily accessible by metro.
Belgian Comic Strip Center
A unique museum celebrating Belgium's rich comic book heritage in a stunning Art Nouveau building designed by Victor Horta. Discover the origins of iconic characters like Tintin, The Smurfs, and Lucky Luke. Features over 200 original artworks, temporary exhibitions, and a comprehensive library. Perfect for comic fans and architecture lovers alike. Located near Grand Place in the city center.
Royal Museums of Fine Arts
One of Europe's most important art museum complexes, housing over 20,000 works spanning six centuries. Includes the Old Masters Museum (Bruegel, Rubens), Modern Museum (Magritte, Dalí), and the dedicated Magritte Museum with 200+ works by the surrealist master. The stunning building offers a journey through Belgian and international art history. Allow a full day to explore all sections.
Manneken Pis
Brussels' beloved and cheeky symbol - a small bronze fountain sculpture of a little boy urinating. Despite its modest 61cm height, it's been a city mascot since the 15th century and owns over 1,000 costumes displayed at the Brussels City Museum. Several times a week he's dressed in themed outfits. Free to view, located steps from Grand Place. Don't miss his female counterpart, Jeanneke Pis, nearby.
Parc du Cinquantenaire
A magnificent 30-hectare park dominated by a triumphant arch, built to celebrate Belgium's 50th anniversary. Perfect for afternoon breaks from work - bring your laptop to the grass or jog the paths. Houses three museums: Art & History, Military, and Autoworld. The arcades offer shelter on rainy days. Popular with locals for picnics, sports, and relaxation. Free to enter the park itself.
Royal Galleries of Saint Hubert
One of Europe's oldest and most elegant covered shopping arcades, opened in 1847. The 200-meter glass-roofed gallery features luxury chocolatiers (Neuhaus, Godiva), upscale boutiques, cozy cafés, and the historic Cinéma des Galeries. Beautiful Art Nouveau and neoclassical architecture makes it perfect for a rainy day stroll. Located just off Grand Place, connecting to the Théâtre Royal.
Mini-Europe
An open-air miniature park showcasing over 350 detailed models of famous European landmarks at 1:25 scale. See the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, the Acropolis, and more - some with moving parts like erupting Vesuvius and running trains. Educational and fun for all ages. Located next to the Atomium, making for an easy combined visit. Interactive elements and multimedia displays enhance the experience.
🛡️ Safety & Healthcare
What to know about safety and medical care
🚨 Safety
🏥 Healthcare
💬 What Nomads Say
Real reviews from digital nomads
"Brussels exceeded all my expectations as a digital nomad base. The coworking scene is fantastic - I worked from Silversquare Europe and met so many interesting people in the EU policy space. Internet is rock solid at 150+ Mbps everywhere. The food scene is incredible - Belgian fries, waffles, and the beer culture is unmatched. Yes, it's pricier than Eastern Europe, but the quality of life and central location make up for it. I could hop on a train to Paris, Amsterdam, or London whenever I wanted. English is spoken everywhere, which made daily life super easy. The Ixelles neighborhood felt like home within a week."
"Spent three months in Brussels and had a mostly positive experience. The multicultural vibe is real - I met people from all over the world in my coliving space in Saint-Gilles. Coworking options are good but expensive (€250-300/month). The weather was the biggest downside - lots of grey days that affected my mood. Found great laptop-friendly cafés like Belga & Co and Café Capitale. Public transport is efficient with the metro and trams. Safety was fine in my neighborhood, though I avoided the area around Gare du Midi at night. The chocolate shops and beer bars almost make up for the grey skies!"
"Brussels has its charms but wasn't my favorite nomad destination. The cost of living hit harder than expected - my budget for a decent one-bedroom in a good area was €1,100-1,300/month, plus expensive restaurants and bars. The bureaucracy is notorious if you need anything official done. Some areas felt sketchy, especially around train stations after dark. That said, the positives include excellent healthcare, a truly international community, and being able to explore Belgium and neighboring countries easily. The coworking spaces are professional but corporate-feeling. Good for EU-focused work or short stays, but I wouldn't choose it for a long-term base."
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