The Brussels region has the densest international school market in Europe per head, driven by the EU institutions, NATO and a deep multinational base. Four school systems run in parallel across the capital and its commuter belt, which gives families real choice but also makes the decision harder than in a single system city.
The school landscape in Brussels
Premium English medium provision runs through the International School of Brussels, the British School of Brussels and St John's International School, which between them cover the main international curricula across the region. The European Schools network delivers multilingual education leading to the European Baccalaureate and is free for children of EU institution staff. Alongside these sit the Belgian French and Dutch state systems and several bilingual options, which many longer staying families use to good effect.
How to move to Brussels (region) with children, step by step
Relocating with school aged children rewards early planning. These five steps mirror how the GlobalSchoolGuide relocation desk sequences a family move, so nothing critical slips through the gaps between the offer, the housing search and the first day of term.
- Set your relocation timeline. Fix your move date against the August or September school start and work backwards, allowing several months for shortlisting and applications in Brussels (region).
- Shortlist and apply to schools. Match three schools in Brussels (region) to your child's age, curriculum and budget, then apply early because popular year groups fill first.
- Confirm fees and admissions. Request the current fee schedule and admissions requirements directly from each school, since published figures are reset every academic year.
- Choose a neighbourhood near school. Pick housing within a reasonable commute of your shortlisted school, because in most systems your address shapes your options.
- Settle the practical set up. Arrange residency, banking, health cover and the physical move, and time everything to the school calendar so your child starts with the year group.
Fees and budgeting
Premium English medium international schools in the Brussels region sit in the upper Western European band, with the senior and Diploma years costing more than the primary years. The European Schools are free for eligible EU staff families, and the Belgian state systems carry no tuition. Because figures are reset each admissions cycle, confirm the current schedule with the individual school before you budget rather than relying on any estimate.
Neighbourhoods and housing
Families using the International School of Brussels tend to cluster in the eastern and south eastern suburbs and the green municipalities beyond the ring road, which also give access to the European Schools campuses. The British School of Brussels draws families to the southern edge of the region, while central districts such as Ixelles and Etterbeek suit families using the European or Belgian state schools. Let the school anchor the housing search, since the region spreads across several municipalities with very different commutes.
Language and settling in
Brussels is officially bilingual in French and Dutch, though most international families operate primarily in French, and English is common across the expat community. Children entering the Belgian state systems immerse quickly, and primary aged children usually reach a working level of the local language within about two years, which is worth weighing if you plan to stay.
Curriculum continuity
Curriculum continuity in the Brussels region is well served, because the international schools cover the main portable pathways, including the International Baccalaureate and British and American routes, while the European Schools lead to the European Baccalaureate. A child part way through one of these systems can usually continue with minimal disruption. The Belgian state systems lead to Belgian qualifications and are an excellent long term choice, though a family expecting another posting will generally protect continuity by staying within an international or European stream, especially for a child in the senior years.
Healthcare, admin and cost of living
Practically, register with your local commune soon after arrival, since this registration underpins banking, healthcare and school enrolment. Belgium operates a strong healthcare system that residents join, typically through a mutuelle, and many families arrange interim cover while paperwork completes. The region spreads across many municipalities with very different commutes and housing costs, so model the daily journey to your chosen school before committing to a lease. Sequencing the commune registration, housing and school offer carefully is what turns a complex, four system city into a manageable move.
The admissions timeline
Applications to the fee paying international schools open in the autumn for the following September, and popular year groups can fill early given the depth of the international community. European School admissions are managed by the EU institution itself for eligible staff children, and Belgian state places follow catchment and enrolment rules once your address is registered.
Is Brussels (region) a good place to raise children?
The Brussels region offers families a central European base with excellent connections, a deep international community and a manageable scale, all within reach of the rest of the continent. Family life is comfortable and cosmopolitan, and the sheer size of the expat population means support networks, activities and familiar services are easy to find once you have settled the school and housing questions.
Your first weeks: what to prioritise
In your first weeks, register with your local commune, since this underpins banking, healthcare and school enrolment, then confirm the school place and start date in writing. Because the region spans many municipalities, fix your school first and choose housing around the commute. Set up a bank account, arrange healthcare through a mutuelle and organise utilities, and the wider routines of family life fall into place steadily thereafter.
Frequently asked questions
How many school systems operate in the Brussels region?
Four run in parallel: fee paying international schools, the free European Schools for EU staff children, the Belgian French and Dutch state systems, and several bilingual options. That breadth is why the choice needs careful matching.
Which are the main English medium international schools?
The International School of Brussels, the British School of Brussels and St John's International School provide the main premium English medium places across the region.
Are the European Schools free?
They are free for children of EU institution staff and lead to the European Baccalaureate. Admission is handled by the relevant EU institution rather than by open application.
Where do international families tend to live?
The eastern and south eastern suburbs suit families using the International School of Brussels and the European Schools, while the southern edge serves the British School of Brussels and central districts suit European or Belgian state schools.
When do applications open?
Fee paying international schools typically open applications in the autumn for the following September, and popular year groups fill early. Belgian state places follow catchment once your address is registered.
Plan your move
Use these free tools and guides to turn this overview into a shortlist and a working plan for your family's move to Brussels (region).