For European Union citizens, bachelor's studies in Belgium cost €1,157 per year.
Financial support for students in Belgium
The government of the Flanders region in Belgium offers financial support for students who meet certain conditions:
- You must be enrolled in a full-time study programme at a university that belongs to the Flemish community;
- You need to maintain satisfactory academic progress to continue receiving support;
- You must have worked in Belgium for at least 12 months within the past 2 years;
- Your employment contract must include at least 32 working hours per month.
The financial support consists of two components:
- A scholarship ranging from €250 to €4,000 per academic year, depending on individual circumstances;
- A reduction in tuition fees for students who meet specific eligibility criteria.
How to apply for financial support?
- Make sure you meet the eligibility criteria: Assess your employment, academic status, and financial situation.
- Prepare the necessary documents: Collect proof of income, university enrolment, and employment history.
- Submit your application: You can apply through the Belgian social support service or online, depending on the instructions of the relevant institution.
Additional notes:
- Income limit: Your annual income must not exceed a set threshold.
- Assessment year: Income is usually assessed based on the second calendar year prior to the academic year (e.g., for the 2023–2024 academic year, 2021 income is assessed).
- Family composition: Support is awarded based on your family situation.
- Other scholarships: You typically cannot receive this scholarship if you already receive another one covering the same costs.
- Age limit: There is no strict age limit, but certain conditions may apply to students older than 35.
Application fee
Several universities in Belgium require the payment of an application fee:
- Howest University of Applied Sciences – €50 application fee
- UCLL University of Applied Sciences – €50 application fee
These fees are collected by Kastu and transferred to the university on your behalf.
Study materials fee
One Belgian university charges a mandatory study materials fee, which covers the cost of software and licensing – so you won’t have to worry about it yourself. This fee must be paid once you receive your official admission letter and is charged each academic year. Please note that if you pay the fee but later decide not to study, the amount is usually non-refundable.
- Howest University of Applied Sciences – the fee depends on the chosen programme and ranges from €158 to €380.
Overall expenses
Here are a few tables to help you get an idea of the approximate cost of living in Belgium. Keep in mind that the amounts listed are only estimates – your actual expenses may vary depending on your personal needs, the city you live in, the type of accommodation you find, where you buy your groceries, and other factors.
Average monthly expenses | Price |
|---|---|
| Rent (housing) | 350-600 |
| Food and drinks | 250-350 |
| Phone | 15-30 |
| Transport | 20-40 |
| Other expenses (leisure, clothing, unexpected costs) | 100-300 |
| Total per month | 735-1320 |
Product | Quantity | Price (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Bread | 500 g | 1.96 |
| Eggs | 12 pcs | 2.92 |
| Flour | 1 kg | 2.49 |
| Pasta | 1 kg | 1.58 |
| Rice | 1 kg | 2.05 |
| Potatoes | 1 kg | 1.50 |
| Cheese | 1 kg | 12.92 |
| Butter | 250 g | 1.69 |
| Chicken fillet | 1 kg | 9.53 |
| Minced pork | 500 g | 3.99 |
| Yogurt | 1 kg | 1.89 |
| Cereal | 500 g | 2.29 |
| Coffee | 500 g | 3.25 |
| Milk | 1 l | 0.89 |
| Juice | 1 l | 1.49 |
| Local beer | 0.5 l | 1.71 |
| Sugar | 1 kg | 1.15 |
| Salt | 1 kg | 1.09 |
The food prices listed below are average estimates and may vary depending on the store you shop at. Some items may be more or less expensive. Many students save money by shopping during promotions or buying different products at different stores after comparing prices. Some of the most affordable grocery stores in Belgium include Lidl, Aldi, and Colruyt.
Work in Belgium
Students in Belgium who work no more than 600 hours per year (approximately 11 hours per week) are eligible for a reduced social security contribution rate of 2.71%, meaning only a small amount is deducted from their salary. It is possible to work more hours, but from the 601st hour onward, the standard social security rate of 13.07% usually applies. You can find more detailed information about student work regulations in Belgium online.
