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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

The online community

The Facebook groups to join

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

    👥 105,700 members · ≈ 24 posts/week

    View the group
  • 🔥 Very active Public In English

    Expats living and working in Brussels

    👥 70,100 members · ≈ 133 posts/week

    View the group
  • 🔒 Private In English

    Expats in Brussels

    👥 58,500 members · ≈ 36 posts/week

    View the group
  • Public In English

    Expat Women in Brussels / Bruxelles

    👥 26,200 members · ≈ 16 posts/week

    View the group
  • 🔒 Private In English

    Events in Brussels - For Expats and Locals

    👥 23,200 members · ≈ 32 posts/week

    View the group
  • Public In English

    Interactive Expats Brussels

    👥 12,400 members · ≈ 9 posts/week

    View the group
  • 🔒 Private In French

    Etudiants français à Bruxelles

    👥 11,400 members · ≈ 7 posts/week

    View the group
  • 🔒 Private FR + EN

    Foreign Brussels - Expats et étrangers de Bruxelles

    👥 9,400 members · ≈ 1 posts/week

    View the group
  • Public In English

    American Club of Brussels & Friends

    👥 8,800 members · ≈ 5 posts/week

    View the group
  • 🔒 Private In English

    Expat Women in Brussels - Bruxelles

    👥 8,277 members · ≈ 3 posts/week

    View the group
  • Public FR + EN

    Free language and cultural exchange in Brussels

    👥 6,500 members · ≈ 2 posts/week

    View the group
  • 🔒 Private FR + EN

    Expatriés Français à Bruxelles / French expats in Brussels

    👥 5,200 members

    View the group
💬 Explore the full group directory

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.

💰 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.

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.

    App Store Google Play

  • SNCB/NMBS

    Belgian railways: live timetables and tickets to reach the airport, Antwerp, Ghent or Bruges from Brussels stations, often faster than driving.

    App Store Google Play

  • Floya

    Brussels' all-in-one mobility app: it bundles metro, trains, shared bikes and scooters so you can plan, book and pay for a whole trip at once.

    App Store Google Play

  • Bolt

    The dominant ride-hailing app in Brussels, often cheaper than Uber; many locals compare both apps before booking a car.

    App Store Google Play

  • Uber

    Available in Brussels but less widespread than Bolt; handy as a backup when no driver shows up on the other app.

    App Store Google Play

Food delivery

  • Uber Eats

    One of the three big food-delivery players in Brussels, with the widest pick of chains and neighbourhood restaurants.

    App Store Google Play

  • Deliveroo

    Well established in Brussels, especially for slightly higher-end restaurants; the interface is clear and delivery slots are usually reliable.

    App Store Google Play

  • Takeaway.com

    The former Takeaway (Just Eat group), long-standing in Belgium: it lists many local restaurants you will not always find on the other apps.

    App Store Google Play

Groceries

  • Colruyt Xtra

    The digital loyalty card of Colruyt, Belgium's biggest grocer; it is also the gateway to Collect&Go for ordering and picking up your groceries.

    App Store Google Play

  • My Delhaize

    The app for Delhaize, a supermarket you will see all over Brussels: digital Superplus card, deals and online ordering with delivery or pickup.

    App Store Google Play

  • Carrefour Belgique

    Carrefour is everywhere in Belgium, from tiny Express shops to big hypermarkets; the app holds your Bonus card, coupons and online orders.

    App Store Google Play

Everyday life

  • Bancontact Pay

    Belgium's default way to pay: settle in shops or online and, above all, pay friends back in one scan, the local equivalent of Venmo.

    App Store Google Play

  • itsme

    Belgium's essential digital ID: log in to your bank, the tax office or public services and sign documents securely, you will need it fast.

    App Store Google Play

  • Too Good To Go

    The anti-waste app, very active in Brussels: surprise bags from neighbourhood bakeries, restaurants and supermarkets at a very small price.

    App Store Google Play

  • TheFork

    The go-to app for booking a table in Brussels, with regular discounts and a loyalty points scheme; handy for evenings and weekends.

    App Store Google Play

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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