Housing Near the EU Quarter Brussels
Coliving and housing options near Schuman, the European Commission, and the European Parliament.
The EU Quarter: Brussels' International Hub
The European Quarter — centered around the Schuman roundabout — is the beating heart of EU governance. It is home to the European Commission (Berlaymont building), the European Council, the Council of the EU, and numerous EU agencies. The European Parliament sits a short walk south along Rue de la Loi.
Thousands of EU officials, political advisors, lobbyists, trainees, and support staff work in this area. For many, living within walking or cycling distance of the institutions is a top priority. But the EU Quarter itself is largely an office district — not particularly charming for residential life. The smart approach is to live in one of the surrounding neighborhoods that offer both a great quality of life and easy access to Schuman.
Best Neighborhoods Near the EU Quarter
- Etterbeek — The closest residential neighborhood to Schuman. Most of Etterbeek is within a 10 to 15 minute walk of the EU institutions. It offers a pleasant mix of residential streets, local shops, parks (including the beautiful Parc du Cinquantenaire), and good restaurants. The Merode and Thieffry metro stations provide excellent connections. Coliving operators including Cohabs and Neybor have properties in Etterbeek.
- Ixelles — The northern part of Ixelles (around Place du Luxembourg and Flagey) is just minutes from the European Parliament. This is the most popular neighborhood for EU workers who want a vibrant social life alongside their career. Cafes, restaurants, nightlife, and a multicultural atmosphere. Corners, Cohabs, and Habyt all operate here.
- Brussels City — The city center is connected to Schuman via metro line 1 and 5 (just two to three stops). Living downtown gives you access to everything Brussels has to offer. LiveColonies and Ikoab have properties in the city center.
- Woluwe-Saint-Lambert — East of the EU Quarter, connected by metro line 1. Quieter and more residential, popular with families and those who prefer green surroundings. About 15 minutes to Schuman by metro.
- Saint-Gilles — Slightly further from the EU Quarter (20 minutes by tram or bike), but offers a completely different atmosphere: artsy, diverse, and with some of the best food in Brussels. A great choice for those who want to escape the "EU bubble."
Transport to the EU Quarter
Brussels has an extensive public transport network (STIB/MIVB) that makes reaching the EU Quarter easy from almost anywhere in the city. Key connections include:
- Metro: Schuman station is served by lines 1 and 5. Maelbeek station (line 1 and 5) is also in the EU Quarter. Arts-Loi is the interchange station connecting to lines 2 and 6.
- Train: Schuman and Brussels-Luxembourg train stations are in the EU Quarter, connecting to the wider Belgian rail network.
- Cycling: Brussels is increasingly bike-friendly. From Ixelles or Etterbeek, the EU Quarter is a flat 5 to 10 minute ride. Villo (bike-share) stations are everywhere.
- Walking: From most parts of Etterbeek and upper Ixelles, you can walk to Schuman in 10 to 20 minutes.
Coliving for EU Workers and Trainees
Coliving is particularly popular among EU trainees (Blue Book stagiaires) and contract agents who arrive in Brussels for fixed-term assignments. The flexibility of coliving contracts, the lack of a guarantor requirement, and the instant community are perfectly suited to the transient nature of EU careers.
Operators like Colive and Morton Place offer affordable options that fit within a trainee budget, while Corners and LiveColonies cater to officials who want a more premium experience.
Compare all operators on our comparison page or take the Matchmaker Quiz to find your ideal coliving space near the EU Quarter. For more neighborhood insights, check out our blog.