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Brussels

Belgium

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.

Visit the association's website Email the association See the FIAFE page

What they offer

  • Neighbourhood coffees (Ixelles, Uccle, Waterloo...) and Café Poussette
  • Welcome coffee for newcomers
  • Business Club and hobby clubs
  • Exhibition visits, walks and Thursday talks

Other support networks

Two large national networks also support the French abroad, each with its local chapter.

  • UFE

    UFE Belgique

    The Belgian chapter of the Union des Français de l'Étranger: welcome, mutual aid and conviviality for the French in Belgium.

    Visit the website
  • Français du monde – ADFE

    Français du monde – ADFE Belgique

    The Belgian section of Français du monde - ADFE defends the rights of French residents in Belgium and helps with their paperwork.

    Visit the website Email the chapter

The French business network

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.

Visit the website CCI country page

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.

💰 Compare school fees

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.

    Discover Axiom Academic

  • IB Tutor

    Tutors specialised in the International Baccalaureate: online lessons in every IB subject, to aim for top grades from MYP to the diploma.

    Discover IB Tutor

Schools and education

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.

Children's healthcare

The Belgian system runs on the mutuelle: joining a mutualité is mandatory and conditions reimbursements. Once affiliated, access to paediatricians is simple and fast.

Good to know

  • First step: join a mutualité (Partenamut, Solidaris...) for the whole family.
  • You see the paediatrician directly, no GP referral needed.
  • The ONE (children's welfare office) follows little ones for free, like the French PMI.
  • 112 is the emergency number; the Queen Fabiola children's hospital is the paediatric reference.

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.

Family outings and events

Brussels is a children's city in disguise: museums designed for them, majestic parks, waffle rewards and the North Sea an hour away by train.

Good to know

  • The Natural Sciences Museum houses Europe's largest dinosaur gallery.
  • Train World, the railway museum, amazes all ages.
  • The Bois de la Cambre and Tervuren park are the weekend green lungs.
  • The Belgian coast (De Haan, Knokke) is the family beach escape, pedal-karts included.

These landmarks change fast: the MumExpat community will keep them up to date.

Coming soon: the full Brussels guide.

Verified addresses, paediatricians recommended by mums, a family agenda updated every week. Join the waitlist to discover the Brussels page first.

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