Student Housing in Brussels 2026

Student Housing Options in Brussels

Brussels is home to several major universities including ULB (Universite libre de Bruxelles), VUB (Vrije Universiteit Brussel), KU Leuven Brussels campus, UCLouvain Saint-Louis, and numerous European studies programs. Every academic year, thousands of Belgian and international students search for housing in the city.

The main options for students are university-managed residences, private student rooms (known as "kots"), traditional flatshares, and increasingly, coliving spaces. Each option has different price points, locations, and levels of convenience.

Coliving for Students

While coliving spaces in Brussels are primarily designed for young professionals and expats, they are increasingly attractive to students — especially graduate and international students who value convenience and community.

Operators like Colive and Ikoab offer rooms at the more affordable end of the spectrum, starting around 550 to 700 EUR per month with everything included. For students tired of dealing with landlords, bills, and furnishing an empty room, coliving is a compelling alternative.

The key advantages for students include: fully furnished rooms (no need to buy and later sell furniture), all-inclusive billing (predictable monthly costs), flexible lease terms (ideal for semester or Erasmus stays), and a ready-made social network of international residents.

Best Neighborhoods for Students

Where you live depends largely on where you study. Here are the most popular student neighborhoods in Brussels:

• Ixelles — The heart of student life in Brussels. Home to the ULB Solbosch campus, the Flagey area, and the famous Cimetiere d'Ixelles nightlife strip. Lively, diverse, and well-connected. Coliving operators like Cohabs and Corners have properties here.
• Etterbeek — Close to the VUB campus and the ULB La Plaine campus. Quieter than Ixelles, with good metro connections. Neybor and Habyt operate in this area.
• Saint-Gilles — Artsy and multicultural, popular with creative students. More affordable than Ixelles, with great restaurants and bars around Parvis de Saint-Gilles.
• Brussels City — Central, close to UCLouvain Saint-Louis and the Royal Conservatory. Higher prices but unbeatable connectivity.
• Schaerbeek — Budget-friendly option with great transport links. Increasingly popular with students priced out of Ixelles.

Budget Options for Students

If coliving is above your budget, here are the most affordable alternatives:

• University residences: The cheapest option (300 to 450 EUR/month) but limited availability and often basic quality. Apply early through your university.
• Private kots: Individual rooms in shared houses managed by private landlords. Typically 350 to 550 EUR per month, often excluding utilities. Check Immoweb, BrukBru, and Kotplanet.
• Flatshares: Sharing an apartment with other students, splitting rent and bills. Can be as low as 300 to 450 EUR per month in areas like Schaerbeek or Forest.

Keep in mind that the cheapest monthly rent is not always the cheapest total cost. When you add utilities, internet, furniture, and cleaning to a budget kot, the gap with coliving narrows significantly.