Brussels is the gentlest expat move a French family can make: life happens in French, Paris is 1h22 away by train, and yet everything is different, from the mutuelle to the fries. The French community here is the largest in the world.
Currency
Euro (€)
Languages
French (and Dutch)
Time vs Paris
None
Emergencies
112
FIAFE network
The Accueil for French-speaking families
In each city, a volunteer-run association from the FIAFE network welcomes, informs and helps French-speaking families settling in.
Bruxelles Accueil (Accueil français de Bruxelles)
Since 1957
Founded in 1957, the Accueil français de Bruxelles covers the city with its neighbourhood coffees (including a pram-friendly Café Poussette for young mums), its clubs, its Business Club and its Thursday talks.
Where to meet them
At the Maison de l'Accueil (53 rue Marie Depage, Uccle); drop-ins announced on the website.
The local French chamber of commerce (CCI France International network) is a real asset for work: networking, job offers and help to restart a career or start a business locally.
CCI France International
CCI France Belgique
The Franco-Belgian chamber, in the heart of Brussels, offers a business club, regular events and support to set up, prospect or find a job in Belgium.
To follow local life in French: news, what's on, good addresses and, often, a directory of French-speaking professionals.
lepetitjournal.com Belgique
MediaIn French
The Belgian edition of the online daily for French expatriates, focused on Brussels: settling-in formalities, housing, health, events calendar and French community news.
Directory of addresses and professionals useful to expats in Belgium (education, settling in, services), where anyone can add a listing.
The Ligue des familles magazine, read monthly by tens of thousands of parents in Brussels and Wallonia: pregnancy, child development, school and day care, health, leisure and parents' rights.
Before you even land in Brussels, Facebook groups are the best shortcut: ask your questions, find a flat, a nanny, a second-hand stroller, and often your first friends.
Public In English
Life in Belgium
106,600 members · ≈ 24 posts/week
The rules are simple ; - no advertisement, treat each-other with respect and keep yourself within the broad subject of "life in Belgium".
Life in Belgium is a conversation & discussion group, not a notice board. Please apply common sense in your post of any events. Advertisement for other Facebook groups are not tolerated. There are plenty of other places were that can be done.
Anonymous posts are not banned outright and remain an option for members who wish to raise sensitive topics (e.g. immigration, domestic or workplace issues). Anonymous posts for which the admins do not see a reasonable justification will be removed.
The administrator team evaluate all access requests and reserves the right to deny access to profiles that doesn't evidently prove any relation / interest to the scope of this group. This in order to proactively prevent spam.
* The "life in Belgium" group is an online community for residents (locals and Expats alike) in Belgium.
* The "life in Belgium" group is based in mutual respect. Were we do the embrace diversity of the community we live in and honor the free word, we also expect a polite tone and respectful language were everyone feels welcome.
* The "life in Belgium" group is motivated on a will to share and to build rapport within the English speaking community in Belgium and to share experiences valuable to the community.
* The "life in Belgium" group is a community group with no commercial interest, and participants should accept any contributions within the group adhere to that point.There will be zero tolerance towards spam (see Wikipedia for a definition upon the term SPAM)
* The "life in Belgium" group is based on a community based framework founded in the principal points of the "Creative Commons / NonCommercial" license. Any participation in this group means unconditional acceptance herewith.
* The "life in Belgium" group does not tolerate racism, including: Incitement to discrimination, hatred or violence against a person on account of race, colour, origin or national or ethnic descent, in the circumstances given in Article 444 of the Belgian Penal Code;
Incitement to discrimination, segregation, hatred or violence against a group, community or its members on account of race, colour, origin or national or ethnic descent, in the circumstances given in Article 444 of the Belgian Penal Code; and
Announcing the intention to commit any of the aforementioned offences, in the circumstances given in Article 444 of the Belgian Penal Code. As outlined in previous points above, we are all equal people, showing that a level of mutual respect. No no-one (neither individuals nor groups) should be subject to anything different than this.
Expats living and working in Brussels: Expats, digital nomads and remote workers helping each other!
We are pleased to introduce this new platform where expats in Brussels can help each other. The Facebook group "Expats living and working in Brussels" is the new meeting spot for newly arrived and established expats living and working in Brussels. The group was created to help expats help each other.
We encourage all foreigners living in Brussels to join the group and share useful information regarding living and working in Brussels or Belgium.
What is going on in Brussels? Culture, concerts, sports events, language exchange, networking events, new cool coffee bars / coworking spaces, etc... We want to read about it! Let the expats know what is going on in Brussels: where to eat, learn, sing, have fun, etc.
Who is who in Brussels? Where can expats get the services they need? Who can help them with their challenges and answer their questions. Business owners that offer relevant services or products are welcome to submit a post. We accept company pages as members.
Housing ads: We accept post from individuals offering a rental (apartment or room), and of course we accept posts from expats looking for a place to stay. We encourage the member to share their experiences and thoughts about the different neighborhoods in Brussels.
Job ads: People looking for a job, and companies with openings, you are most welcome to use this platform.
Investment opportunities: We are open for interesting opportunities in Brussels: real estate, startups, etc.
The rules: Every post will be moderated. We only accept post that are relevant for the expat community in Brussels. We embrace global mobility and we accept the same from our members.
Welcome to "Expats living and working in Brussels", the helpdesk from and for expats living and working in Brussels!
Looking for fun, expatriate ladies who relocated to Brussels for work, school, significant others, etc. If you are looking to make new friends to go out at night, movies, sports, shopping, or just to hang out and eat lots of chocolate, join this group.
Americans, Canadians, British, Irish, Australian, and all English speakers out there, look forward to meeting you!
If you are interested in planning an event, please feel free to contact Natalie Minh to be made an Admin. Let's keep this group active and growing.
No real estate ads!
A place for the international minded to meet chat, share info, request advice, feel free... but stay fair. And don't post classifieds etc, only events, expat related jobs.
Bonjour, voici un groupe de partage d'informations utiles pour les étudiants francophones sur Bruxelles.
NB: Si vous ne voulez pas recevoir de mails à...
Foreign Brussels - Expats et étrangers de Bruxelles
9,400 members · ≈ 1 posts/week
This group was created to connect expats and foreigners who live in Brussels, and share relevant and useful information (about life in Brussels).
ANY...
Newcomer or expatriate in Brussels? Looking for a place to call home? Long-time resident looking to (re)discover our eclectic city?
This public group of the American Club of Brussels (ACB) is an open forum for questions, recommendations and conversation about life in Brussels. Our intent for this group is that it can help us help each other, share opportunities, and highlight unique activities - it is not an advertising or buy/sell forum. Please keep posts relevant and refrain from posting items for sale, sharing memes, or repeatedly posting your own events. Posts will be moderated and filtered for relevance to our community.
About the ACB
For over 90 years the American Club of Brussels (ACB) has been the pre-eminent English-speaking social and professional club in Brussels. With members from more than 20 countries, the American Club of Brussels offers unique opportunities for social and business friendships and networking in Brussels and elsewhere in Belgium. The ACB sponsors several events each month for members and guests. Newcomers and prospective members are always welcome.
Join us to (re)discover Brussels.
www.americanclubbrussels.org
For the ACB's official FB page, please see www.facebook.com/americanclubbrussels
A social community group dedicated to Expats women living in Brussels. Feel free to ask questions and help others groups members by providing them with...
ENGLISH- FRANCAIS PLUS BAS- ESPAÑOL MAS A BAJO Working as a private French teacher in Brussels, many of my students show a strong interest in improving their French skills by practicing French native speaker. On the other hand, I am connected French native speaker who would like to improve their language skills as well. That is the reason why I decided to create a small free platform where everyone in Brussels willing to practice and improve a foreign language could find a person or a group with who he or she can share his or her knowledge in a friendly way. YOUR FRENCH - MY ENGLISH. Meet each other around a coffee, for a soccer match or to visit a museum together. In order to enjoy a positive improvement, those languages exchanges should take place at least once every week or every two weeks. Feel free to come back to me for any information. Ads are allowed on this Group if they are related with foreign languages. www.ilearnfrench.eu
Je suis professeur de Français langue étrangère à Bruxelles et beaucoup de mes élèves aimeraient pratiquer leur français avec des natifs tout comme mes nombreux amis francophones souhaiteraient améliorer leur pratique de langue(s) étrangère(s). Pour cette raison, j'ai décidé de créer une petite plateforme où toute les personnes désirant pratiquer une langue étrangère peuvent trouver un binôme et gratuitement. TON ANGLAIS- MON FRANCAIS. Rencontrez-vous autour d'un café, pour un match de foot ou pour une exposition. Afin d’apprécier une amélioration positive, vos rendez-vous devraient avoir lieu une fois par semaine ou toutes les deux semaines. N'hésitez pas à me contacter pour plus d'amples informations. Les publicités en relation avec les langues étrangères sont autorisées sur cette page. www.ilearnfrench.eu
Estoy trabajando como profesora de francés lengua extranjera en Bruselas y muchos de mis alumnos quisieran practicar sus conocimientos de la lengua francesa con nativos así como a muchos francofonos les gustarían mejorar sus idiomas extranjeros. Es la razón por la que, decidí crear una pequeña plataforma gratuita donde todas las personas deseando practicar una lengua extranjera pueden encontrar binomio. Queden juntos tomando un café, mirando un partido de futbol, descubriendo un museo. Para que los intercambios den resultados positivos, esos tendrían que realizarse al menos una vez cada semana o cada dos semanas y de manera regular. No duden en ponerse en contacto conmigo para cualquier consulta. Anuncios relacionados con lenguas extranjeras están autorizados. www.ilearnfrench.eu
http://www.ExpatFinder.com
Share your experiences, meet others. If you are an expat in Brussels, this is your group.
.
“no spam"" policy.> Please respect the groups ""no spam"" policy. By all means feel free to post news and discussions relating to interesting on-topic items, but no repeated ones which blatantly benefit yourself directly or indirectly. No self promoting ""Discussions"".
Action:
- If you have an event or promotion, send a message to http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000619243444
- You can edit settings by going to top right > settings
http://www.expatfinder.com :Comparison website on Products & Services for Expats around the world.
http://www.expatfinder.com/landing-health_p164.html
If you have questions or want to reach out to other like-minded people in your area, please feel free to join, interact, and share experiences
Expat Jobs, Professional Expat Network on LinkedIn : give exposure to your professional international experience > http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/40533/67C6E34C5D1B
Compiled from Facebook's public search, links checked in July 2026. Group sizes change all the time.
AEFE network
Accredited French schools
Schools accredited by the French Ministry of Education follow the French curriculum: your child can continue their schooling seamlessly, abroad and back in France.
Source: official AEFE directory, verified June 2026. aefe.gouv.fr
Tutoring and private lessons
To support your children's schooling across two systems, two solutions designed for expat families.
Axiom Academic
Private lessons and tutoring for expat families: French curriculum, IB and British curriculum, at home or online, with teachers who know the schools in your city.
The Lycée français Jean-Monnet, directly managed by the AEFE in Uccle, teaches 2,500 pupils. But Brussels offers real choice: French-speaking Belgian school is free and solid, and the European Schools serve EU staff children.
Good to know
Jean-Monnet (direct management) is in high demand: apply as soon as the move is confirmed.
Belgian francophone school is free but follows the Belgian curriculum: rhythm and grading differ from the French.
European Schools prioritise children of EU institution staff.
Belgium schools children from age 2.5 in nursery: a real plus for young parents.
French-speaking community
The French are the largest foreign community in Brussels: you are an expat without being disoriented. Uccle, Ixelles and the Châtelain quarter are its French villages.
Good to know
Bruxelles Accueil (FIAFE network) has animated the community since 1957, neighbourhood by neighbourhood.
Uccle (around the lycée), Ixelles and Saint-Gilles concentrate the French families.
UFE Belgique and Français du monde complete the support network.
Paris at 1h22 by train changes family life: grandparents visit often.
A place has closed, something has changed?
The arrival reflex
The apps to download when you land
Drop your bags, download these and you're set: the apps everyone in Brussels uses to get around, get things delivered and organise daily life.
Getting around
STIB-MIVB
The official Brussels transit app: metro, tram and bus in real time, ticket purchase and MOBIB card top-up, the one you will open every day.
What mums ask when they arrive in Brussels, in short, sourced answers.
Do we need a visa or residence permit to settle in Brussels?
No visa for French nationals, but each family member staying more than 3 months must apply for a registration certificate (annex 19) at the commune where they live, at the latest by the end of those 3 months. Since September 2025, bring a complete file to the first appointment. The order of steps is detailed on /en/cities/brussels/settling-in/.
It is not compulsory, but strongly recommended: registering with the register of French nationals abroad is free, valid 5 years and done online. It makes consular procedures easier (passports, civil status, voting) and lets the consulate reach you in an emergency.
Source ↗Lycée Jean-Monnet, Belgian school or European School: how do we choose?
School is compulsory in Belgium from 5 to 18. French-speaking Belgian school costs little but follows the Belgian curriculum; the Lycée français Jean-Monnet, in Uccle, follows the French curriculum and charges fees; European Schools give priority to children of EU institution staff. Compare costs on /en/cities/brussels/school-fees/.
Source ↗How do we get our medical costs reimbursed?
By joining a mutualité, which is compulsory and the only way into Belgian health insurance, as soon as you register with the commune. Your electronic residence card then proves your cover at the doctor's, in hospital and at the pharmacy. The full picture is on /en/cities/brussels/health/.
Source ↗Where do we go at night if my child is ill?
In a life-threatening emergency, call 112. For an on-call doctor, 1733. The emergency department of the Children's Hospital (HUDERF), in Laeken, sees children up to 16 around the clock; CHU Saint-Pierre and Delta hospital also have paediatric emergencies.
The schedule is similar, but only the polio vaccine is compulsory in Belgium; the others are recommended, free within the programme and required by ONE day care. Bring the French health record book so the doctor can copy the history.
Ask your commune for the list of day care centres: in centres accredited and subsidised by the ONE, including all municipal ones, the rate depends on income, and demand is high, so apply early. For a babysitter or nanny, use an agency or a service like the Ligue des familles', which checks profiles.
Source ↗Which neighbourhoods do French families live in?
Uccle, around the Lycée Jean-Monnet, Ixelles and Saint-Gilles for liveliness, the Woluwes and Auderghem for greenery and the eastern schools, Waterloo for houses with gardens. Rents have risen markedly: prepare your file before viewing. Our neighbourhoods are detailed on /en/cities/brussels/settling-in/.
Source ↗What rental deposit can a landlord ask for?
For a lease signed since 1 November 2024, at most two months' rent, paid into an individual account in your name, never in cash to the landlord. The standard lease runs nine years, but you can leave with three months' notice, with a decreasing compensation during the first three years.
Hardly: under 6 they travel free and without a ticket on the STIB, with someone aged at least 12; from 6 to 11 the pass is free on a MOBIB card; from 12 to 24 the annual school pass costs a token amount, and it is free from the third child.
The Bois de la Cambre, closed to cars at weekends, the Sonian Forest, the Natural Sciences Museum and its dinosaurs, free on the first Wednesday afternoon, then the sea, Bruges or Pairi Daiza under two hours away. All our addresses are on /en/cities/brussels/family-outings/.
Bruxelles Accueil, the French welcome association of Brussels, has run neighbourhood coffees since 1957, a newcomers' coffee and a Café Poussette for young mums. UFE Belgique and Français du monde complete the network, and youth movements like the Scouts quickly build links between parents.
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