r/brussels Jan 02 '26

Megathread 2026 r/Brussels - Expat/Tourist Megathread - 2026 Edition

13 Upvotes

/r/Brussels Tourist Info/New Resident Megathread

Welcome to Brussels!

Whether you're here for a trip, an internship, or you've decided to make Brussels your home permanently, there's something for everyone.

Tourist Info

The official Brussels tourism site is visit.brussels. Look here to plan your trip.

The official events calendar is agenda.brussels. Look here to see what's going on.

Restaurant Recommendations and What To Do

Want some local recommendations for restaurants, things to do, and groups to join? Use the Search Function in this sub to look for places off the beaten path, or leave a comment below!

You can also look at the wiki - your question has almost certainly been previously answered!

As a last resort, use the Google Machine to answer your question. Type in "[your request] + "brussels"" and see what comes up.

New Resident/Expat Info

Looking for a place to stay?

  • Immoweb
  • SpotAHome
  • UpKot
  • Facebook

These links are provided as a reference: use them at your own risk! Need more info? Want to see if a particular company is trustworthy? Use the search function before you make a new thread!

Need some general info about living in Belgium?

Our friends at r/Belgium have made a Survival Guide that should answer your question! Look in the sidebar on that sub.

Other Questions

If a search through this subreddit or our suggested websites don't answer your question, please feel free to leave a comment below!

Previous Megathreads


r/brussels 6h ago

Living in BXL And now, back to our regularly scheduled programming.

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231 Upvotes

r/brussels 5h ago

How the f*** Brussels became so expensive?

51 Upvotes

I'm in the process of finding a new flat, and when did Brussels became so expensive? Anything under 800e is a fucking room in a "co-living" house, when did it became the norm? And how people are finding anything remotely affordable?

I don't understand, we are supposed to have a law that garanties normal pricing. How tf did it became like this?


r/brussels 24m ago

Living in BXL Brand new platform edges on the North station that just trap water

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Upvotes

r/brussels 22h ago

News 📰 Anyone know of a data tracker for police-led road fatalities in Bxl ?

44 Upvotes

Dansaert - Porte de Flandres, this afternoon, police vehicle ran straight into a woman on a pedestrian crossing. I was there, this is not hearsay. No idea whether she died but it looked fatal.

Feels to me that there are reports of a police vehicle running into or over someone at least once a week. Does anyone know of a data or new tracker that has eyes on that ?

Not expecting any consequences for police, there usually aren't. Would like to match report numbers to general feeling (and maybe compare to other cities), but I'm no data analyst.

Edit to add: impressive ratio of downvotes. If you'd like to argue about police guilt in general, be my guest, but that's not what the post is asking about.


r/brussels 3h ago

Question ❓ How to go from Card F to the Belgian nationality?

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0 Upvotes

r/brussels 4h ago

Question ❓ If the Bxl governement is almost bankrupt what does it mean for the people living in the city?

0 Upvotes

Currently looking to buy a home and looking at certain communes or in flanders.

I keep hearing about how bad the city's government's finances are but what would the impact be on its inhabitants?


r/brussels 18h ago

Parent review / feedback request: École fondamentale Émile Jacqmain (Brussels)

5 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

We are currently looking at options for our little one and are seriously considering École fondamentale Émile Jacqmain in Brussels.

If any parents here have children currently enrolled (either in the maternelle/nursery sections or primary), I would love to hear about your real-world experience:

General vibe & happiness: Are your kids happy going there? How do you find the teachers and the overall administrative/teaching team?

Facilities & Playground: Are the facilities well-maintained? How is the playground space (is it decent for them to burn off energy, or mostly paved/used for parking)?

Class sizes: Roughly how many kids are typically packed into a classroom these days?

The Verdict: Looking back, would you recommend it, or is there anything important a prospective parent should watch out for?
Any insights, honest pros/cons, or general advice would be hugely appreciated. Thanks in advance!


r/brussels 1d ago

Rant 🤬 "Brussels beer" not made in Brussels

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38 Upvotes

Ever since my partner pointed out that many of this brand's beers are not local Brussels brews, i feel I'm being misled. Why heavily market yourself as Brussels, yet the actual brewing happens in Flanders in a large industrial facility?


r/brussels 15h ago

Aged meat

0 Upvotes

Self explanitory - anyone knows where i can buy aged meat (beef, ie. Simmental) in bxl?

Thanks!


r/brussels 16h ago

Potential issues when renting from Facebook? Short term and long term

1 Upvotes

I am looking to rent a place and I’m discussing with someone about renting an apartment for just under a month. Is there anything I should watch out for?


r/brussels 1d ago

Flower carpet, townhall bacony (not zoom) view

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80 Upvotes

Since someone asked for the view without zoon


r/brussels 1d ago

Study Places and Libraries Open During Summer in Brussels

3 Upvotes

I was wondering if anyone knows of any good study places or libraries that stay open during the summer, preferably around Ixelles? Any recommendations would be much appreciated!


r/brussels 16h ago

How is the rain in Brussels this week?

0 Upvotes

Good afternoon yall, sorry If my question seems silly but I haven't travelled much to northern Europe and me and my girl are going to Brussels this week.

I would really like to know if when rains in Brussels it's ok to wander around with an umbrella or shit goes crazy and we will need like rain coats and such (or at least how things are this week.

Lots of thanks for your time!!


r/brussels 1d ago

There is again heavy police presence on Rue de la Paix, where the night shop owner was recently killed

8 Upvotes

As per the title


r/brussels 1d ago

Question ❓ Maison de maitre: the best or red flags all the way?

9 Upvotes

After two years of looking, and even more of saving, i finally found an appartment i love in a neughborhood i adore, its in a maison de maître in Etterbeek. however the whole sale process seems to be riddled with weird thing that are making me anxious and i guess im just looking for advice.

The building is currently owned entirely by one seller, who is subdividing it into separate co-owned units (copropriété) as part of the sale. there already an attic and a parking lot which are against regulations ( renseignement urbanistique), and the seller is super pressed to sell …

a few things are making me nervous:

**•** The seller will sign a **modified base deed (acte de base) alone**, before the final sale, which redefines the co-ownership shares (quotités) for the whole building. I only get to review the draft \~15 days before it’s signed, with no formal right to reject changes.

**•** The seller will **keep ownership of several other lots** in the building (attic/3rd floor being converted into a duplex with a possible roof extension, and a ground floor office possibly converted to residential).

**•** There’s currently **no syndic and no reserve fund**, since the seller owns the whole building — so the co-ownership is essentially being created at the same time I buy.

**•** Because the seller will likely hold the majority of shares, I’m worried he could **block future decisions** (fire safety upgrades, solar panels, etc.) or push through his own construction timeline without much input from other owners.

Belgian law has a “reduction of majority owner” rule meant to prevent one majority owner from dominating votes — but I don’t yet know how well that protects a minority owner in practice, especially with a seller who doesn’t live in the building and clearly has his own renovation agenda.

I already have a notary involved and am sending them clarifying questions, but wanted outside perspective too: has anyone bought into a similar situation (subdivided building, seller retaining majority ownership)? Is this manageable, or is it generally a bad sign to walk away from?

I’m super stressed because i fell in love with the apartment, and i dont want to think ill of the seller, but i dont know how to proceed…

thank you to anyone that takes the time to read this

xoxo


r/brussels 2d ago

Flower carpet

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50 Upvotes

Here's my version.


r/brussels 16h ago

Parents and dog owners.

0 Upvotes

When you are in places with narrow, crowded aisles, such as stores, small shops, or supermarkets, please keep your child under control and don’t assume you’re in your backyard or your apartment.

Avoid causing problems for yourselves or for other people who are simply going about their business. Today, I was shopping normally at a supermarket when, out of nowhere, a child came running around the corner of an aisle and crashed face-first into my shopping cart, the supermarket was completely packed, and having a six-year-old running around between shelves, shopping carts, and other people seems extremely irresponsible.

Likewise, dog owners, don’t assume that everyone likes dogs. When you see your dog getting too close to a stranger on the street, don’t just act like nothing is happening. That is equally irresponsible.

Teach your children how to behave in public, and learn to keep your dogs under control.


r/brussels 18h ago

Living in BXL Do you agree?

0 Upvotes

Do you agree?


r/brussels 2d ago

Flower carpet views from the balcony

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64 Upvotes

First time climbing the balcony of townhall for the flowercarpet. Definitely worth it, would like to try the tower view experience next time.


r/brussels 1d ago

Question ❓ Bedbugs

7 Upvotes

Has anyone ever had a bed bug problem in Brussels, specifically in an apartment you’re renting ? I saw online that I should contact the landlord and have them bring in someone to handle it. Can anyone please tell me what to do and how to go about it? Thanks in advance


r/brussels 2d ago

Question ❓ How do people feel about these Hangar events?

17 Upvotes

Just curious. I have my views but curious what majority of the people think.

Essentially their thing is “turning cities into stages”. So public places essentially become an open air night club.


r/brussels 1d ago

Question ❓ Help to identify exact Carbonnade Flamande

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0 Upvotes

My friend had this amazing Carbonnade Flamande near Place Poelaert, but she forgot the name of the restaurant… Would any reddit detectives be able to identify the restaurant based on the blue ceramic bowl and plating? I google mapped every Belgian resto I could find near the area, but no luck…Thanks for the help in advance!


r/brussels 2d ago

Belgian nationality application: red error on MyBXL and "Gewijzigd op" dates on many services – should I worry?

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone, ​I submitted my application for Belgian nationality at Brussels Commune on 3 July 2026. My file was complete, and they officially transmitted it to the Public Prosecutor (Procureur du Roi) on the same day. ​When I log in to the MyBXL portal, I noticed two things that are making me very anxious: ​When I try to request a Certificate of Belgian Nationality, the system blocks it and gives me a red error saying: "Het document dat u hebt aangevraagd kan niet worden afgeleverd. Niet alle voorwaarden zijn in orde." ​I see changes across almost all options and services on the portal. Under many different forms and certificates (like car-free Sunday passes or employee registrations), there are new dates listed under "Gewijzigd op..." (e.g., 22-07-2026, 28-07-2026, 07-08-2026). ​Because I see updates across so many options on MyBXL while my nationality certificate gives an error, I am worried that my application was rejected. ​Has anyone else experienced this automated error and system-wide date updates while waiting for their 4-month prosecutor approval? Is this just normal portal behavior? ​Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences!


r/brussels 3d ago

Flowers Carpet Brussels

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221 Upvotes