Studying in Belgium: Tuition Fees, State Support, and Living Costs
Belgium offers high-quality education at a very affordable price. Although living costs require a slightly larger budget, working students can expect generous state scholarships and significant discounts on transport and meals.
Belgium is quickly becoming one of the most popular study destinations among European students. It is home to major EU institutions, universities offer modern, practice-oriented programs, and tuition fees are among the lowest in Western Europe. In addition, Belgium has excellent infrastructure for students – from cheap train tickets to subsidized restaurants on university campuses.
Tuition Fees in Belgium
In Belgium (specifically in the Flanders region, where most English-taught programs take place), the cost of studying is very attractive. More information is available on the Study in Flanders website. For European Union citizens, bachelor's studies cost around 1,157–1,181 EUR per year.
This amount may vary slightly depending on the specific university (e.g., HOGENT or Thomas More), but it is standardized across the region. Compared to the Netherlands or the UK, this is a highly economical option.
Important: You should add the cost of study materials and books to this amount, which can be around 300–500 EUR per year. However, many universities encourage the use of digital materials, which helps save money.
State Financial Support (Flemish Scholarship)
Although it may initially seem that there is no state support in Belgium, the Flemish government actually offers a Studietoelage (study grant), which EU students can also receive.
How to get the scholarship?
For EU students (whose parents do not work in Belgium), the main way to get this support is to start working in Belgium during your studies. The conditions are as follows:
- You must work in Belgium under an official employment contract.
- You must have worked for at least 12 months over the past 2 years.
- The workload must be at least 32 hours per month (that's only about 8 hours per week).
This means that if you start working in your first year, you will be able to apply for this scholarship from your second year!
How much money will you get? (2026 amounts)
The size of the scholarship depends on your (or your family's) income. For students living independently (renting a room), the scholarship can range from 332 EUR to 5,142 EUR per academic year. This is a non-repayable grant, paid once a year.
Working While Studying: What You Need to Know
In Belgium, students are highly encouraged to work, and the tax system is extremely favorable for them.
- Student quota (650 hours): Every student in Belgium has a quota of 650 hours per year, during which a minimal social security contribution is applied (only 2.71%). This means that almost everything you earn stays in your pocket.
- Salary: There is no separate "student minimum wage" in Belgium. The general national minimum wage applies, which in 2026 is around 13.08 EUR per hour (gross).
Working about 15 hours a week (without exceeding the 650-hour limit), you can earn about 780 EUR net per month.
First Steps Upon Arrival and Health Insurance
When you arrive in Belgium, one of the most important things is to sort out bureaucracy and health insurance.
- Registration at the commune: Within 8 days of arrival, you must register at the local municipality (Commune / Gemeente). More information about registration can be found on the Belgium.be website. There you will receive a Belgian national number (Rijksregisternummer) and a temporary ID card.
- Health insurance (Mutualiteit): Although you can initially use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your home country, everyone living in Belgium is required to register with a Belgian health insurance fund (e.g., CM, Partenamut, Solidaris). For students, this costs about 120–200 EUR per year, but it guarantees that most of your medical expenses will be reimbursed.
Estimated Living Costs in Belgium
Living in Belgium requires a slightly larger budget than in some Eastern European countries, but this is offset by good wages. The average student budget is about 1,050–1,400 EUR per month.
| Average Monthly Expenses | |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (student room - "kot") | 400–650 EUR |
| Food (cooking at home + university restaurant) | ~250–350 EUR |
| Health insurance (annual sum divided per month) | ~15 EUR |
| Local transport | ~5–10 EUR |
| Other expenses (leisure, clothes, phone) | ~150–250 EUR |
| Total per month | ~1,050–1,400 € |
How much does food cost in Belgian stores?
Estimated prices in popular supermarkets (e.g., Colruyt, Delhaize, Aldi):
- Milk (1 l) – ~1.10 €
- Bread (500 g) – ~2.25 €
- Eggs (12 pcs.) – ~3.60 €
- Rice (1 kg) – ~2.10 €
- Chicken fillet (1 kg) – ~10.75 €
- Potatoes (1 kg) – ~2.10 €
Tip for meals: Most Belgian universities have their own student restaurants (e.g., the famous "Alma" at KU Leuven). A full, hot meal for a student there costs only 5.15–7.70 EUR. This is a great way to save time and money!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Finances in Belgium
