Looking for German Expats in Brussels?

Thinking about moving to Brussels as a German? These pros and cons come from the InterNations Expat Insider 2026 survey, in which thousands of expats around the world share what they like and don't like about life abroad each year. The points below reflect what German expats in Brussels wrote in their own words, backed up by survey percentages from all expats living there.

• It's a hub for travel, close to home. 95% of expats in Brussels rate the opportunity to travel positively, with direct trains to Amsterdam, Paris, London, and Cologne.

• It's international and multicultural. Germans praise the cosmopolitan atmosphere, the humour and social skills, and the openness of the city.

• Healthcare and careers are strong. 79% rate healthcare affordability positively, 86% the quality of medical care, and 69% say the move improved their career prospects.

• Culture and food are a plus. 74% rate culture and nightlife positively, and Germans note culture is cheaper than back home.

• The weather and air disappoint. Just 17% of expats in Brussels rate the climate positively and 21% air quality — among the lowest scores in the survey.

• The city can feel run-down and pricey. Germans describe a dirty city where getting repairs done is hard, with high prices for services, internet, and phone.

• Costs and housing bite. Only 32% rate the general cost of living positively and 29% housing affordability.

• The welcome can be cool. Only 30% say making local friends is easy and 53% rate friendliness positively, amid a community-line social divide.

For Germans, Brussels offers a central, international base with excellent healthcare, strong careers, and unbeatable travel close to home. The trade-offs are the grey weather, the run-down feel, and the cost of living. It rewards those who value connections and convenience over polish and sunshine.

To gain a better understanding of expat life in Brussels, we asked our German members for their opinions. Let’s start with the positive ones first.

Now let's see some common negative topics that our German members had on their minds:

Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys among expats — asking them about various aspects of their life, from work to leisure. Learn what motivated our German members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.

With InterNations, German expats in Brussels are able to find both the help they need as well as lots of valuable information. The "Capital Of Europe" offers so much for expats to explore - our community helps you enjoy your stay to the fullest.

• Look through our Members Network to connect with Brussels’s German expats.
• Become active in our Expat Forums in order to find insider tips and suggestions from fellow German expats in Brussels.
• Make full use of the Expat Guide for Brussels to obtain important information on your temporary home abroad.

Our Brussels community is also lively and welcoming offline. The InterNations Ambassadors host regular get-togethers and a range of expat activities, e.g. a chic dining experience in Brussels’s trendiest restaurant or a get-away with fellow German expats to discover the Flemish North. These activities make it easy for you to get to know other expats from Germany in your local community and meet Germans in Belgium in a comfortable setting. If this sounds interesting to you, simply sign up for membership – we are looking forward to welcoming you among our Germans living in Brussels!