Cost of Living in Belgium in 2020

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Loïc ViP

Member since 14 January 2019

LoïcViP19 February 2020 07:51:03

1777

Hi everyone,

Every year, we invite expats who are living in Belgium to share their experience and tell us more about the average price of products and services in their town, city or area, so that we can help future expats planning to settle in Belgium.
We would like to thank you in advance for your contribution.

Regarding accommodation, how much does it cost to rent or buy an apartment or a house in Belgium?

How much do you pay on average for public transport (bus, subway, train, tram, taxi)?
How much does it cost to fill up your cars fuel tank?

Concerning your food expenses : how much do you pay for basic food items such as rice, bread, and pasta? What is the average price of your monthly food shopping?

How much does it cost to have health insurance? How much for a health specialists consultation in Belgium?

How much does childcare cost on average per month? What about school fees?

How much do you pay for electricity, gas, water, internet, mobiles subscription etc., per month?

How much do you spend on leisure in Belgium (cinema,sport, etc)?

Feel free to add any other daily expenses that you have in mind.

Thank you for sharing,

Loïc

fernandoks Active member

Member since 23 July 2019

fernandoksActive member03 March 2020 15:03:36

Bonjour,
It been 3 months i moved to Belgium, living in Brabant Flamand.

Regarding accommodation, how much does it cost to rent or buy an apartment or a house in Belgium?

In Bruxelles you small aparments (one bedroom) can easily go up 1000EUR, in good state and with good PEB (this increases your monthly cost singificatively).
Outside Bruxelles you can find better places with lower cost, 800-900EUR for two bedrooms. Almost every Belgian lives far away from work, but you must do your own evaluation.

How much do you pay on average for public transport (bus, subway, train, tram, taxi)?
This is the local company for Trains, Metro and Trams: www. stib - mivb. be/
Single Trip 2,10 €
For 10 journeys JUMP: 14,00 €
Trains will depend on the distance, you can use the website to calculate.

How much does it cost to fill up your car’s fuel tank?
This isn't cheap here, consider between 1,30 to 1,50EUR/Liter

Concerning your food expenses : how much do you pay for basic food items such as rice, bread, and pasta? What is the average price of your monthly food shopping?
Supermarket if you have time, and not very Brand demanding. You have many cheap options like ALDI, or LIDL.
You can easily pay less than 1EUR to 1/2kg of Pasta, or 1,5EUR for 1kg of Rice (depends of the type). For two person, I spend with some quality food, and wine, 200-250EUR.

How much does it cost to have health insurance? How much for a health specialist’s consultation in Belgium?
Mutuelle return back up to 70%, just be sure to have a hospitalization insurance. Usually less than 40EUR.

How much do you pay for electricity, gas, water, internet, mobile’s subscription etc., per month?
This you must be very carefull on your house, try get a PEB B (C at least). Otherwise your electricity or gas deppending of your heating system (usually gas) will be BIG.
Internet you have 50EUR unlimited data packages of Fiber Internet. Mobile you can have a Pre-Paid, or a median plan for 25EUR. Look a Proximus for examples.

How much do you spend on leisure in Belgium (cinema,sport, etc)?
For Gym, goes from 20EUR to 40EUR. If you add Gym classes +10EUR/each;
Cinema just be sure the filme is in english (no Dub) otherwise you won't understant anything, if you dont speak French or Dutch.

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