Working in Brussels Belgium
The capital and largest city in Belgium, Brussels has a population of about 1.8 million throughout its metropolitan area. Much of the population in Brussels speaks French despite it historically being Dutch speaking prior to Belgian independence in 1830.
Like most major European centres, Brussels is a very cosmopolitan city that has a strong cultural identity dating back many centuries. The city experiences an oceanic climate and is known for its high frequency of rainfall, with a downpour occurring more days than not.
- Airport
- Railway Station
- Transportation
- Cost of Living
- Accommodation
- Shopping
- Emergency
- Insurance and Healthcare
Location
Tourism Video
Airport
Located about 12km north-east from the city centre, Brussels Airport services close to 20 million passengers each year. Services to Brussels arrive from throughout Europe and from many intercontinental destinations.
The airport can be accessed by rail or road. Underneath the airport arrivals will find the Brussels National Airport railway station, which has regular services (about three an hour) departing to not only central Brussels, but also all over the city and country.
Railway Station
Brussels has three main stations that will take visitors all over the country and internationally.
The most central station is Brussels Centrale, which is a very busy terminal for intercity travellers and tourists. It also links to many stations in regional areas of Belgium. The station is nearby many attractions, hotels and hostels.
Located in the south of Brussels is the busiest terminal in the city, Brussels Midi. The terminal can be frenetic due to its access to intercity trains, the metro, trams and international trains like the Eurostar. Brussels Nord is located in the north of the city. The station has no metro connection but does have tram links.
Transportation
The public transport system in Brussels provides a quality way to navigate the city. The public transport network, operated by local company STIP, includes metro and light rail, heavy rail, and buses.
The metro system in Brussels was opened in 1976 and has been expanding ever since. By 2009 it included four lines and about 60 stations. Brussels trams represent an older form of transport around the city and have been in use since 1869. Due to the increased use of cars and buses, along with the introduction of the metro, Brussels trams have been on the decline as a form of transport. However, in 2008 there was still a 133km network in the city for its trams.
Brussels heavy rail services the city and its outer regions over eight lines used by passenger trains. This service, which includes about 30 stations, connects efficiently to the city’s bus, metro and light rail services. For more than 100 years, Brussels has grown its bus service throughout the city. It now includes an extensive number of day and night services to accommodate commuters.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Brussels is average to high by western standards for expats. According to online cost of living database Numbeo (http://www.numbeo.com/), prices for typical items on current exchange rates (June 2013) are as follows:
| Food | |
| Cheap meal (inexpensive restaurant) | $18.50 |
| Three-course meal for two at mid-range restaurant | $85.40 |
| Domestic beer (500mL) | $5.00 |
| Coke (330mL) | $2.85 |
| Milk (1 litre) | $1.40 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.30 |
| Eggs | $3.60 |
| Transport | |
| One way ticket (local transport) | $2.85 |
| Monthly pass | $65.50 |
| Petrol (1 litre) | $2.30 |
| Rent (monthly) | |
| One bedroom apartment (central area) | $1070 approx |
| Three bedroom apartment (central area) | $2100 approx |
| Accommodation | |
| Hostel bed (one night) | $25 |
| Five star hotel room (one night) | $180 |
| Average monthly salary (after tax) | $3130 |
Accommodation
Hotels in Brussels can vary, but there are a lot of options for low and high end spenders. The city also has a variety of hostels to choose from for backpackers. A few to consider include:
Budget
Youth Hostel Van Gogh
Youth Hostel Sleep Well
Mid-range
Citadines (Sainte-Catherine Brussels and Toison d’Or Brussels)
Hotel Café Pacific
High-end
Radisson Blu Royal
Hotel Metropole Brussels
Shopping
Shopping in Brussels isn’t for early risers with many stores not opening until after 10am, and not at all on Sunday or Monday. Brussels is home to the world’s first shopping mall, Galeries Saint Hubert-Sint Hubertusgalerijen. Other notable shopping centres include Galeria Inno and Woluve Shopping Centre.
With Belgium well known for its beer and chocolate shoppers will find several options for these goods, including:
Beer
Beer Mania
Match
Chocolate
Leonidas
Neuhaus
Emergency
Emergency telephone numbers
Medical emergencies 100
Police 101
Fire services 100
Australian Embassy, Brussels
Level 7, Avenue des Arts 56
1000 Brussels,
Belgium
Telephone: (32) 2 286 0500
Fax: (32) 2 231 0788
Website: www.belgium.embassy.gov.au
Insurance and Healthcare
When registered, expats in Belgium will receive standard health cover and the option to takeout private health insurance at an extra cost. Healthcare in Belgium is of a high standard and is funded by social security contributions made by the general population. All residents and expats must register with the social security organisation to receive the standard service.
On top of the compulsory health insurance requirements, expats in Belgium can take out private care, with an extensive range of services available for those willing to pay extra. Costs for private health treatment in Belgium are comparable to those in Australia.
Despite a high standard of health facilities in Belgium, DFAT recommends all Australians travelling to the country take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover any overseas costs.