What is the monthly budget for studying in Belgium for a foreign student?

Do you want to know the cost of student living in Belgium? Before leaving, it is essential to assess your monthly budget: the cost of living varies according to the city, the type of housing and your lifestyle.
In this article, you will find a clear estimate of the rents (flat, studio, roommate) and the main monthly expenses (food, transport, clothing).

1. Average monthly budget in Belgium

An international student must plan between €850 and €1,200 per month to live in Belgium.
This amount includes housing, food, transportation, insurance, and personal expenses.
CityEstimated monthly budgetBrussels€1,000 to €1,200 €Liège900 € to 1,100 €Namur850 € to 1,000 €Louvain-la-Neuve950 € to 1,100 €Mons/Charleroi800 € to 950€
Student cities like Liège or Mons remain more affordable than brussels, where rent and transport are more expensive.

2. Housing: the main expense

Housing represents on average 40 to 50% of the monthly budget.
Rents vary according to the type of accommodation:Type of accommodationAverage monthly rentAverage monthly rentRoom in a university residence350 € to 500 €Flatroom400 € to 600 €Individual studio550 € to 800 €Private apartment700 € to 1,000€
To be expected in addition: the common expenses (water, heating) of €30 to €100 per month, electricity and internet between 30 and 80€, a security deposit equivalent to 1 to 2 months rent, as well as a annual home insurance (a few tens of euros).
Les university residence contracts generally cover the academic year (9 to 10 months), while in the private market, leases last often 12 months.

Practical advice : choose shared flats or student residences to reduce the cost, ask for local assistance and contact the international office of your university. Start your research on Immoweb, student platforms (Student.be) and local Facebook groups.

3. Food and groceries

Food expenses are between €200 and €300 per month, according to your habits:

• Shopping at the supermarket: approximately €50 to €70 per week
• Meals at the university canteen: €3 to €6
• Occasional restaurant: €15 to €25

Shopping at discount stores (Aldi, Lidl, Colruyt) significantly reduces costs.

4. Transports

Students benefit from significant discounts:
• Subscription TEC (Wallonia) : approximately €30 per month
• Subscription STIB (Brussels) : €12 to €15 per month for under 25
• SNCB train (student discounts): approximately €30 to €40 per month

Some cities like Louvain-la-Neuve are entirely pedestrianized, which limits transport costs.

5. Health, insurance and telephony

• Enrollment in a Belgian mutual insurance is mandatory for foreign students.
• Expect approximately €10 to €30 per month for basic insurance.

Telephone and internet

• Mobile package: 10€ to 25€/month

• Internet housing: 25€ to 40€/month (often shared in a shared apartment)

6. Leisure and personal expenses

• Gym subscription: €20 to €40
• Outings and cinema: €30 to €60
• Books and school materials: €20 to €40
• Travel or return to the country: to be planned separately

A leisure budget of around €100 per month allows you to enjoy a balanced social life without excesses.

7. University fees not to forget

In addition to the monthly budget, you should plan for registration fees:
European students: between €850 and €1,000/year
Non-EU students: between €2,500 and €4,000/year, depending on the course and the institution
Some universities offer scholarships or discounts for deserving international students.

9. Studely tips for managing your budget

1-Plan a Studely blocked account to justify your financial resources when applying for a visa.
2-Compare rents before booking accommodation, as the differences between cities are significant.
3-Set a realistic monthly budget and avoid unnecessary expenses in the first few months.
4-Enjoy student benefits : discounts on transport, museums, cinemas, and subscriptions.

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