The Brussels school landscape
Brussels has Europe's most layered school market. EU institution staff get free or heavily subsidised places at one of four European Schools (EEB I-IV) in Uccle, Woluwe, Ixelles and Laeken. EU agency staff and the wider expat community use International School of Brussels (ISB), British School of Brussels (BSB), St John's International School, Brussels American School, Lycée Français Jean Monnet, and several specialist German, Japanese and Scandinavian schools.
Belgian public schools (in French or Dutch depending on the commune) are free and excellent. Many bicultural and EU-adjacent families choose this route once children's French or Dutch is strong.
EU institution staff or private?
European School eligibility is tied to your employer. Our guide explains which institutions qualify, how the lottery works, and what private alternatives exist.
Most popular neighbourhoods for families
Uccle is the heart of expat family Brussels and home to ISB plus EEB I. Woluwe-Saint-Lambert / Saint-Pierre hosts EEB II and is popular with NATO families. Tervuren hosts BSB and is the British expat suburb. Ixelles appeals to families wanting central living near EEB IV. Wezembeek-Oppem hosts St John's International. Waterloo is the southern commuter suburb favoured by long-stay British families. For a green family town beside the forest and the British School of Brussels, read our guide to living in Tervuren with international schools.
