Cheap Accommodation in Belgium for students
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International students willing to study in Belgium are usually compelled by its vibrant multicultural cities and affordable programs. Some popular programs are Engineering and Technology, Business and Management, Computer Science, AI, Life Sciences, Bioengineering, Political Science, International Business, and more.
One thing that hinders students from pursuing programs in Belgium is managing living expenses, especially finding cheap accommodation in Belgium. Finding the right accommodation can be challenging for those with limited information. Here is a comprehensive guide to finding student accommodation in Belgium, with a variety of housing options that suit different budgets.
Read More: Study Guide to study in Belgium
Types of Student Accommodations in Belgium
Belgium is a country where various types of accommodations are available for international students. The cost for each varies based on the facilities and location. Students can choose among the university dormitories, shared apartments, private studios, and more. International students can select the kind of accommodations listed below based on their budget, the facilities needed, and the location required:
- University-Managed Dormitories: This accommodation option is the best way to stay in Belgium, especially for students who need to travel to their university daily. These are convenient for students as the accommodations are located near the campus, help to cut the transportation cost, avail of the scholarships, ensure safety, and save time. They offer facilities like shared kitchen, bathrooms, and meals.
- Shared Apartment (Kots): Students who need to stay in Leuven and Ghent can choose this option. It provides shared apartments and houses, and also includes utilities. The cost of them usually depends on city and the facilities.
- Private Studios: The studios are popular among students who are not comfortable sharing a room with others. It offers more privacy. Due to the single occupancy, studios are the expensive option for students. Students who do not have any budget issues can choose this option.
- Homestays: Homestays refer to staying with a family that helps students to experience cultural immersion, sometimes same cultural environment. This facility usually includes meals. The cost may differ based on the location and services offered.
- Themed Housing (Kots-à-Projets): Themed housing comprises a group of accommodations designed based on a specific theme or social projects. This housing facility offers affordable student accommodation in Belgium.
International students can check various options for accommodations in Belgium along with the estimated monthly expense below, as the cost may vary based on the location, facility:
| Accommodation in Belgium |
Estimated monthly cost |
|---|---|
| University-Managed Dormitories |
EURO 200-450 (INR 19K-INR 45K) |
| Shared Apartment (Kots) |
EURO 300-700 (INR 29K- INR 69K) |
| Private Studios |
EURO 600-900 (INR 58K- INR 88K) |
| Homestays |
EURO 400-EURO 800 (INR 39K- INR 78K) |
| Themed Housing (Kots-à-Projets) |
EURO 300-EURO 500 (INR 29K- INR 48K) |
(EURO 1= INR 97.81)
Read more: Cost of studying in Belgium for international students
Top Cities and Accommodation Costs
Belgium comprises various cities, including Brussels, Leuven, Ghent, Antwerp, Liège, and Namur. The cost of living and accommodation expenses are different and are based on the location, services, and more. The international students taking accommodation in Brussels may expect slightly higher charges as compared to the other cities. Students can check the estimated cost to live in different cities in Belgium in shared or private rooms below:
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| City |
Shared Housing |
Private Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Brussels |
EURO 340–520 (INR 30K- INR 46 K) |
EURO 700–950 (INR 63K- INR 85K) |
| Leuven |
EURO 300–500 (INR 27k- INR 45 k) |
EURO 600–850 (INR 54K-INR 76K) |
| Ghent |
EURO 300–550 (INR 27k- INR 49k) |
EURO 600–800 (INR 54K-INR 72K) |
| Antwerp |
EURO 300–550 (INR 27k- INR 49k) |
EURO 600–800 (INR 54K-INR 72K) |
| Liège |
EURO 250–400 (INR 22k-INR 36k) |
EURO 500–700 (INR 45K-INR 63K) |
| Namur |
EURO 250–400 (INR 22k-INR 36k) |
EURO 500–700 (INR 45K-INR 63K) |
(EURO 1= INR 97.81)
Best accommodation in Belgium for students
Belgium offers various accommodation options for international students willing to study or move to diverse locations in the country. The services are based in various cities, including Brussels, Leuven, Antwerp, Ghent, and Liège. The housing options provide various facilities like furnished or semi-furnished room options, shared or private studio options, and basic services like private/shared bathrooms, CCTV, internet, Bed, desk, wardrobe, kitchen, and more. International students can check the table below for the best accommodation in Belgium for students, along with the facility, official website, and location:
| Accommodation |
Operates in |
Facilities |
Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xior Student Housing |
Brussels, Leuven, Antwerp, Ghent, and Liège |
Modern, furnished rooms and studios Private or shared bathrooms High-speed internet Laundry rooms, bike storage, lounges Secure access with CCTV Fitness areas or rooftop terrace |
Students looking for modern, secure, and international accommodation |
| HousingAnywhere |
Brussels, Leuven, Ghent, Antwerp, Liège |
Furnished or semi-furnished rooms Private or shared bathrooms Internet, heating, and utilities Fraud protection Safe online booking with landlord |
Students who are looking for flexible, pre-arrival booking options and a variety of price points. |
| Student Rooms Belgium |
Brussels, Ghent, Leuven, Antwerp, Hasselt |
Private rooms in shared student apartments Options for short/long-term stays Cleaning, internet, and utility bills Bed, desk, wardrobe, kitchen and bathroom available |
Students seeking an affordable option and direct connection with landlords |
| Kotweb |
Antwerp |
Student rooms, studios, and shared housing are available Rent and contract terms applicable Safety and comfort are not compromised Furnished/ unfurnished units are available |
Students admitted to the University of Antwerp Students at University of Antwerp looking for trustworthy and legal housing |
| Kotatgent |
Ghent |
Rooms with or without private bathrooms and a kitchen available Rent, availability, and furnishing facilities Legal and quality housing Rental guides, tenant rights, and sample contract resources are available |
Students from Ghent-based institutions seeking safe, affordable, and regulated housing. |
Cheap Student Accommodation in Belgium – City-wise
Students who are looking for an affordable accommodation option must avoid cities like Brussels, as the city is quite expensive and students may expect higher rates than other. Students can choose housing options in cities like Leuven, Ghent, and Antwerp if they have a limited budget. Students can check the cheap accommodation options in Belgium among different cities below:
Leuven
KU Leuven Housing:
This housing facility is ideal for students opting for Engineering, Computer Science, or Science programs. It is near KU Leuven and the city center, and offers Kots and dormitory options to students. They offer furnished rooms, shared kitchen/bathroom, study areas, and Wi-Fi.
Monthly Rent: INR 27K- INR 45K
Ghent
Kotatgent:
The Kotatgent housing is best for Science, Art, and Engineering students. The housing is near Ghent University and Overpoort. It has Kots, and shared apartments with facilities including shared kitchen/bathroom, Wi-Fi, furnished rooms, and study rooms.
Monthly Rent: INR 27K- INR 49K
Antwerp
Kotweb:
Kotweb housing is ideal for students studying Business, Arts, and fashion at the University of Antwerp or looking for a location near the central station. The housing service provides private rooms, kots, and comprises private/shared rooms, furnished rooms, Wi-Fi, access to public transport, and more.
Monthly Rent: INR 27K- INR 49K
Brussel
Brik Student Housing:
These housing rates are slightly up than most of the housing options. Brik housing is ideal for students pursuing IR, Law, and Business Policy in universities like ULB, VUB, and EU institutions. They offer shared and dorm-type rooms. Students can avail of shared rooms, utilities, a multicultural community, and public transport services.
Monthly Rent: INR 30K- INR 46K
Liege
ULiege Housing
The ULiege housing is best for students pursuing Medicine, Pharma, and Research via the University of Leige, quieter residential zones. They offer private studios and Kots. The facility include budget-friendly furnished rooms, shared amenities and Wi-Fi.
Monthly Rent: INR 22K- INR 36K
Namur
UNamur Housing
This housing facility is ideal for students studying Humanities, Language, and International Relations at University of Namur, as the facility is near the university. They provide homestays and kots to international students. The services are best for local family stay, shared amenities, and Wi-Fi.
Monthly Rent: INR 22K- INR 36K
Also Read: Cost of Living in Belgium for Indian Students
Why is Belgium ideal for study?
Belgium is one of the best destinations for international students, especially those coming from India. The country comprises globally recognized universities, affordable programs in English, and strong research opportunities. Some top universities in Belgium include Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Ghent University, and Free University of Brussels, popular for offering top-ranking courses, a multicultural environment, and post-study work opportunities.
Belgium is also famous for its proximity to countries like Germany, France, and the Netherlands, and is home to European institutions and companies. It is an ideal place for an internship and employment in fields such as International Business, Research, and Policy.
How does Belgium compare to other nearby countries?
Belgium is comparatively cheaper than other nearby countries, and hence an attraction for most international students looking for affordable countries to study. The basic rent can range between INR 27 K and INR 63K in Belgium, where the rent is between INR 40K and INR 81K for nearby countries. Students can check the table for comparative study among European countries below:
| Countries |
Rent (Avg/month) |
Student Job Pay |
Post-Study Visa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium |
EURO 300–700 (INR 27K-INR 63K) |
EURO 10–12/hour (INR 900- INR 1k) |
Yes (12–18 months) |
| EURO 500–900 (INR 45 K-INR 81K) |
EURO 10–15/hour (INR 900- INR 1.3k) |
Yes (1 year) |
|
| EURO 450–850 (INR 40 K-INR 76K) |
EURO 9–11/hour (INR 800- INR 1k) |
Yes (1 year) |
University Costs in Belgium
There are over 100 colleges and universities available in Belgium. Students from all over the globe are compelled to take admission to programs including Engineering, Computer Science, Bioengineering, Medicine, Science, Political Science, Business, IT, Humanities, and more. Some popular universities offering these programs include KU Leuven, Ghent University, Université Libre de Bruxelles, University of Antwerp, and Hasselt University. International students can check the table below for the popular universities in Belgium, along with popular courses, and the estimated cost of tuition in a year below:
| University |
Popular Courses |
Tuition Fee (per year in EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering, CS, Bioengineering |
EURO 940 – EURO 6,000 (INR 84K – INR 5.4L) |
|
| Science, Engineering, Medicine |
EURO 980 – EURO 6,300 (INR 88K – INR 5.6L) |
|
| Political Science, Business, Life Sciences |
EURO 835 – EURO 4,175 (INR 75K – INR 3.7L) |
|
| Business, IT, Social Sciences |
EURO 900 – EURO 5,800 (INR 81K – INR 5.2L) |
|
| Engineering, IR, Data Science |
EURO 890 – EURO 4,500 (INR 80K – INR 4L) |
|
| Medical Sciences, Research, Linguistics |
EURO 835 – EURO 4,175 (INR 75K – INR 3.7L) |
|
| University of Namur |
Humanities, Economics, Natural Sciences |
EURO 835 – EURO 4,175 (INR 75K – INR 3.7L) |
| Transportation Sciences, Environmental Studies |
EURO 980 – EURO 3,500 (INR 88K – INR 3L) |
|
| ICHEC Brussels Management School |
Management, International Business |
EURO 2,000 – EURO 6,500 (INR 1.8L– INR 5.8L) |
| Solvay Brussels School of Economics |
MBA, Economics, Business Analytics |
EURO 4,000 – EURO 10,000 (INR 3.6L – INR 9L) |
Also Check: list of Universities and Colleges in Belgium
Living costs in Belgium
International students must make some additional budget for living in Belgium, along with the tuition cost. The additional expenses may include accommodation, utilities, internet, food, groceries, transportation, insurance, personal expenses, and more. Students can check the table below for the estimated cost of living in Belgium:
| Expense Category |
Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (Rent) |
EURO 300 – EURO 600 (INR 27K – INR 54K) |
| Utilities & Internet |
EURO 50 – EURO 150 (INR 4.5K – INR 13K) |
| Food & Groceries |
EURO 200 – EURO 300 (INR 18K – INR 27K) |
| Public Transport |
EURO 25 – EURO 50 (INR 2.5K – INR 4.5K) |
| Health Insurance |
EURO 30 – EURO 50 (INR 2.7K– INR 4.5K) |
| Study Materials |
EURO 30 – EURO 60 (INR 2.7K – INR 5.4K) |
| Personal/Leisure |
EURO 50 – EURO 100 (INR 4.5K– INR 9K) |
| Miscellaneous |
EURO 30 – EURO 70 (INR 2.7K – INR 6.3K) |
Miscellaneous expenses in Belgium
There are certain miscellaneous costs international students can expect, including a residence permit, a visa application, and flight tickets. The miscellaneous cost to study in Belgium is given below:
| Category |
Annual Cost (INR) |
|---|---|
| Residence Permit |
INR 18,000 – INR 22,500 |
| Visa Application |
INR 18,000 – INR 22,500 |
| Flight (Round trip) |
INR 60,000 – INR 1,00,000 (avg.) |
Money-saving tips for affordable housing in Belgium
International students must make a budget before starting their studies in Belgium, and spend wisely. Certain tips must be adhered to by students to save money while choosing affordable housing in Belgium:
- Start Early: Students must start searching for their accommodations at least 3-4 months before the course begins. Early bookings help students to explore more options and get better rates and availability.
Prefer Shared Housing: There are various miscellaneous expenses associated with studying in Belgium. Students must adjust and prefer shared housing over private studios. This will save a lot of money, which can be used on utility bills and groceries. - Choose housing in Peripheral Areas: Students must find an accommodation in peripheral areas, which allow students to live at a low cost. But one must make sure that the transport connectivity is strong.
Use trusted portals: Students must use trusted portals like Kotweb, Kotatgent, Xior, and HousingAnywhere while choosing accommodation. Sometimes they provide heavy discounts to students coming to their website for the first time. - Prefer University Dorms: University-managed residences are cheaper than private rentals. They also provide utilities in the rent. Choosing a private place can result in additional expenses.
- Cook at Home: Students must try to make their meals at home, as they are affordable and save money. Eating out can be expensive. Instead, they must buy groceries and cook for themselves.
Use Public Transport Passes: Students can make their discount travel cards through NMBS (train) and local bus services (De Lijn, STIB). These passes help to cut out the transportation cost by half due to the students’ discount. - Involved in Indian Student Associations: There are groups like ISAB (Indian Students Association of Belgium) present in Belgium to help students with room listings, budget tips, and local cultural advice. This can help students coming for the first time.
Scholarships and Grants available in Belgium for International Students
International students can avail themselves of the scholarships and grants available for Indians to reduce their overall cost of living. The popular scholarships and grants to study in Belgium are listed below:
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Scholarships
- Ghent University Top-Up Grants:
- Master Mind Scholarships
- Ghent University Special Research Fund – Doctoral Scholarships
- Science@Leuven Scholarships
Also read: Scholarships to study in Belgium
Conclusion
Students coming from diverse backgrounds and countries may find it difficult to choose the right accommodation, but with the right guidance and early planning, they can choose the accommodation that fits their budget, lifestyle, and requirements. Belgium offers a variety of housing from budget-friendly dormitories to co-housing and private studios.
Students must research well through trusted portals before choosing their housing. They must consider factors such as affordability, proximity to nearby cities or essentials, student communities, and location. In addition, students must make a budget that includes all necessities like tuition, transportation, health insurance, food, books, supplies, and more.
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The best way to find a housing option in Brussels is to explore online portals such as Kotweb, HousingAnywhere, Spotahome, and Student.be. These portals provide a list of kots, studios, and private rentals. Students can also join Facebook groups, including “Indians in Belgium” or “Student Rooms Brussels, ” to get updates relevant to housing, opportunities, and the right pathways. Students must use verified sources and try a short-term stay before confirming the housing.