While you're in the city of Brussels you'll need to be careful of pickpockets and muggers as they are particularly common here. To be as prepared as possible, do thorough research and include other safety guides too before taking off for Brussels.
The Belgian Government has set the national threat level at 3 'Serious'. You can expect to see an increased police presence, and additional safety measures may be in place. Be aware of your surroundings and follow the advice of local authorities.
Brussels is a fabulous city that is often overlooked by many travellers. As the capital city of Belgium and the heart of EU politics, it is a lively, vibrant city with lots to see and do.
Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, Ixelles, and Uccle are some of the safest municipalities in Belgium for both expats and travelers. While Belgium is considered generally safe, it's a good idea for travelers to be careful while visiting Molenbeek and Gare du Midi.
The highest incidences of petty crimes against tourists are in Brussels and Bruges so it's a good idea to keep an eye on your belongings and stay with a group while walking in tourist areas after dark. However, in general Belgium is safer than other European countries such as the UK, France and Germany.
Belgian MP shares Twitter video of intimidation by young men in Brussels
Is Belgium safe for solo female?
Belgium is generally considered to be quite safe for solo female travelers. Street harassment, while not completely absent, is not highly prominent either. Respect for personal space is significant amongst Belgians. However, just like any other city, occasional cat-calling in crowded or touristy areas might occur.
Brussels is a melting pot of cultures and English is widely understood, thanks to the many diplomats and internationals who call Brussels their home. It's also pretty normal to use English as a common ground for Dutch and French speakers if they don't speak each other's languages.
3 days in Brussels will allow you to see as much of the Belgian capital as possible. Brussels is an underrated city as far as I'm concerned. There are plenty of things to do there such as visiting the Atomium, the beautiful central square Le Grand-Place and the various European Union institutions.
The city shares the top spot for being the most walkable city in the world, alongside Chicago, Milan, and Valencia. Its excellent connectivity to Brussels International Airport further enhances its appeal.
Amsterdam, as well as Copenhagen, are ranked the safest cities in Europe, and the two are the only European cities to feature in the Top Ten of safe cities worldwide, according to a report by the Economist Intelligence Unit, in which Brussels comes in 24th place.
In the Brussels Region, you can safely drink tap water: it is strictly controlled from the catchment site up to your home. Drinking water must meet over 55 quality criteria set by the Regions and Europe. VIVAQUA's laboratory carries out approximately 240,000 analyses a year.
Many shops and restaurants in Brussels accept credit cards, but not all. It is, therefore, recommended that you either ask before you order or ensure you have enough in cash to cover the bill.
While the prices of everyday living expenses in Brussels are quite high, the rental prices are luckily on the lower side compared to most of the major cities in the EU. Of course, the price you'll pay for accommodation in Brussels will vary dramatically depending on size, quality and the proximity to the city centre.
In short, as a student in Belgium, you are expected to spend 800-1000 EUR per month. Finding a place to live on your own is more expensive, especially in a capital city like Brussels. Budget at least 800 EUR per month for dormitories.
If you're a budget traveler, you can expect to spend around $50 to $80 per day in Belgium, including accommodation, meals, transportation, and activities.
Brussels is cheaper than Paris and Amsterdam. I'd say prices are more comparable with London prices, therefore cheaper than Dublin. P.S. I'm going on the price of a pint, which in the centre of London is cheaper than in the centre if Dublin. I believe that some pubs in the centre of Dublin charge about €6 for a pint.
Some Belgians will be delighted to let you try your French, others will tolerate it, others will immediately switch to English, a few will inwardly grumble that nobody tries to speak Flemish, some won't be Belgian at all, but foreign expats who don't speak any more French than you do, and some will break into fluent ...
In Belgian schools the official two languages taught are French and Dutch, so the majority of Belgians are bilingual. Dutch (Flemish) is spoken in the Flemish communities, while French is spoken in Wallonia. In Brussels the most common language is French.
They value privacy, enjoy a safe and comfortable life, work hard, and are self-disciplined. Belgians tend to be very involved in their communities and government. They can be reserved around new people but once they get to know someone, they are warm and friendly.
You cannot join your partner in Belgium with a short stay visa; you can only visit them for a short time as a tourist in Belgium. To join your partner, you have to apply for a long-stay visa (D visa). After receiving your long term visa, you can apply for a residence permit for a family reunion in Belgium.
Conditions: Partners must be unmarried (proved by an official document or certificate of celibacy) or legally divorced; They must be minimum 18 years old (proved by a birth certificate); They must be cohabiting (both partners must be registered as living at the same address);
