Where to stay
Both rental and property prices are relatively low in Belgium, being closer to those in Poland than the UK. Renting in Belgium is in line with the EU average, with around 28% of homes rented including many private rentals. On average, Belgians spend around 30% of their net salary on accommodation costs.
Rental contracts here are typically long-term and provide security, which encourages tenants to settle down. In contrast, the transaction costs are high when buying a property, typically between 20–25% of the purchase price. This is why it is usually not worth buying unless you plan to stay in the country for a longer time.
Most properties lack furniture, often without light fittings, curtains, carpets or any kitchen appliances.
A tenancy agreement (contrat de bail/ huurcontract) must be a formal contract in Belgium, and there are four kinds of tenancy agreements: Short-term (three years or less); Nine years (including fixed-term agreements between three and nine years); Long-term (more than nine years); Lifelong.
The standard option is the nine-year contract, but it doesn’t mean that you must stay in or pay for the property for the entire duration of the contract. If as a foreign national you wish to stay in Belgium for longer than three months, you must report to the municipality in which you are staying within eight days of your arrival, and you also must be registered on the National Register.
Properties can be found on specialised portals but are also available through ads in local papers. Searching online will help you get a feel for the options and prices available.
Here is a list of rental portals:
immoweb.be
immovlan.be/en
pap.fr/
appartager.be
samenhuizen.be/
grenzecho.net/immo/page/2?oid=875
In the summertime, rooms are sometimes offered for rent in student residences in university towns.
If you are looking for hostels: Best Hostels in Belgium.