Cost of Living in Belgium for Indian Students

The cost of Living in Belgium for an Indian student is around INR 1 Lakh (EUR 950 to EUR 1,250 ) for a month. This amount does not include the house rent, as it differs in different locations. Belgium is one of the most expensive countries in the European continent to live in.

Belgium is an attractive study destination for international students because of its high-quality education system, multicultural environment, safe cities, and strong academic reputation. Along with these benefits, studying in Belgium for international students can be expensive, and so are the living costs. The estimated monthly cost of living in Belgium for a single person is around ₹97,702 (EUR 959), excluding rent. Overall, the cost of living in Belgium for international students is around €9,500 to €15,000 per year, which averages around €850 to €1,250 per month.

While studying in Belgium, the living expenses include not just accommodation costs, food, and utilities but also transportation, study materials, health insurance, and entertainment. Students must also consider personal and miscellaneous expenses, which form a part of their overall monthly budget. This article aims to highlight the various components of living costs in Belgium, keeping international students in mind and their choice of study location in the country.

Why Study in Belgium?

Belgium is a popular study destination in Northwestern Europe. As per the World Bank data, Belgium spent more than 6% of its GDP on education. This is higher than the OECD average. In addition, as per the EAG 2021, Belgium had invested $13,322 per student from primary to tertiary levels. The 20-24 year age group in Belgium has one of the highest enrollment rates among OECD and partner countries.

The percentage of youth, which is expected to obtain a master’s degree before reaching 35 years of age in Belgium, is one of the highest among OECD countries. Similar is the case with doctoral programs. The data indicates that Belgium has a heavy focus on education and human resource development. Before we get into the information about the cost of living in Belgium for international students, let us look at some of the reasons why you should study in Belgium:

• High quality education: Belgium is home to some of the best universities such as Catholic University of Leuven, Ghent University, Catholic University of Louvain, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, just to name a few.
• Multilingual academics: Belgium is a diamond mine for those who are interested in linguistics and other related fields. If you plan on pursuing a course in Belgium, you will be taught in Dutch, German, French, and English.
• Student-friendly destination: Belgium is a tolerant and welcoming country where students from various backgrounds can study with ease. In addition, cinemas, museums, and other recreation facilities will surely enhance your student-life experiences.
• Cost: Belgium is relatively more affordable as compared to other European countries. On an average, you are required to shell out €800 - €1,000 on a monthly basis for your living.
• Scholarships: You can apply for various scholarships such as VLIR-UOS Training and Masters Scholarships, Ghent University Top-up Grants for Developing Countries, Belgian Development Agency (BTC) Scholarships, etc. in order to reduce your overall costs of studying and living in Belgium.

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Estimated Cost of Living in Belgium 2025

The table given below specifies the estimated student cost of living in Belgium based on different expenses.

Cost of Living in Belgium: Various Factors

The exact cost of living in any country cannot be provided since it is dependent on various factors. However, an average and estimated cost can be provided based on various survey results and data. Some of the factors that determine your cost of living in Belgium include:

• Accommodation preference: Your cost of living in Belgium will be highly dependent of what kind of accommodation you choose. You may choose on-campus accommodation, a single apartment, a shared apartment, a homestay, etc. Every option will come with a different cost. However, you can say that you need to spend in the range €300 to €1,000 per month.
• Location: Locations such as Brussels, Leuven, Ghent, Antwerp, etc. will obviously be more expensive. The more you move towards cities and metropolitan areas, the more you will have to spend.
• Dietary and cooking choices: You dietary and cooking choices will definitely impact your cost of living in Belgium. If your university can provide meals, it will obviously be more affordable. If you choose to buy from a supermarket and cook for yourself, you can control your costs. If you subscribe to meal plans, then the cost might be relatively higher. In addition, if you consume exotic fruits and vegetables, then your cost might be higher.
• Transportation: Your transportation mode will also determine your cost of living. If you choose to use public transport, your cost will be lower as compared to taxi or private transport.
• Books and Clothing: Your study material and weather-appropriate clothing will also determine your cost of living in Belgium. Course books’ cost is more or less fixed, however, your clothing cost will depend on your choice of brands, number of purchases, etc.
• Entertainment and Recreation: This cost will be completely dependent on your lifestyle. Gym membership, sports club membership, visit to cinemas, eating out in restaurants, etc. are some of the components that you need to manage.
• Miscellaneous cost: Various other miscellaneous expenditures include electricity cost, water cost, internet subscription, insurance, medicines, etc. These too will affect your cost of living in Belgium.

Cost of Living in Belgium: An Estimate

The table given below provides an average living cost in Belgium for international students. Various items of daily use are covered in the table. Students must note that these values will change on the basis of university, location, local economy, inflation, etc.

Cost of Living in Belgium: Additional Costs

Besides the above-mentioned costs, there are various other expenditures that contribute to your overall living cost in Belgium. Some of them have been provided below:

• Travel expenditure between Belgium and India
• Furniture, car, TV, and other large items
• Medical expenditures not covered under insurance
• Addition study costs, exam fee, miscellaneous university charges, etc.
• College parties, functions, etc.

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