Erasmus in Belgium: Cities, Education, Study Requirements, Activities, Housing and Universities

Popular Erasmus Cities in Belgium

Belgium is home to several destinations that are extremely popular with students participating in the Erasmus program. Brussels, the capital of the country and the European Union stands out as a destination with renowned academic institutions and provides a multicultural, historic and vibrant environment. Ghent, known for its medieval architecture and picturesque canals, offers a lively student atmosphere, with numerous bars, cafes and cultural activities. Meanwhile, Leuven is the quintessential university city in Belgium, famous for its historic university and charm.

The following are some of the most chosen Erasmus cities by students every year in Belgium:

BRUXELLES/BRUSSELS Looking for a student apartment to rent in Brussels? Here’s everything you need to know: details about apartments and rooms for rent, the best locations to find student accommodation, the availability of residences, and answers to the most frequently asked questions by students. Brussels is the capital of the European Union, attracting thousands of students

ANTWERP Looking to rent a flat, apartment, or room in Antwerp? You’re in the right place! Our guide will help you find the best student accommodation to fit your needs. We’ve got your back with our Erasmus Play accommodation search engine. With it, you can quickly find and compare prices for all available student housing options. Plus, all our listings are 100% veri

LEUVEN Leuven, located in the heart of Belgium and close to Brussels, is a vibrant student city known for its lively atmosphere and as the capital of Belgian beer, home to the world’s second-largest brewery! This charming city has an interesting old town, which is best explored on foot or by bicycle. Each year, thousands of national and international students move

GHENT Ghent is a fantastic city, offering everything you could ask for for an enjoyable stay. It welcomes thousands of students from around the world each year, and its university holds great prestige in the educational community. If Ghent is your chosen destination, here’s everything you need to know about renting flats, apartments, and rooms for students in this

Study in Belgium: a guide for international students

Basic requirements for international students in Belgium

Submitting a motivation letter, a transcript of academic record and filling out the Learning Agreement is indispensable.
Non-EU/EEA citizens generally need a student visa to stay in Belgium during the exchange period.
If your stay will be longer than three months, you have to apply for a student residence permit, whether or not you’re from the EU/EEA. You have to start the process on the first days of your arrival in the country since the town hall will give you a proof of arrival called "Attestation of Presence - Annex 3ter".
Valid health insurance is mandatory in the country. Some universities require students to have specific health insurance for the exchange, although in most cases the European Health Insurance Card is enough for EU students.
Depending on the region (Flanders or Wallonia), classes may be taught in Dutch, French, German and sometimes even English. Many institutions require a certificate of proficiency in the language in which you’ll be taking classes, which you’ll need to present during your application.
Demonstrate that you have sufficient financial funds to subsist for the duration of your studies.
Some universities require you to take out Liability Insurance for the time you will spend there.

Why study in Belgium?

One of the main reasons why international students choose Belgium as an Erasmus destination is the possibility of getting to know its culture and way of life. Belgians are usually very sociable people, who like to go out for drinks and enjoy the outdoors when the weather is nice. You can also discover their love of comics, history and monuments.

Living in Belgium for a while will allow you to practice the local language, although this will depend on the area you are in. In Flanders, Flemish or Dutch is more widely spoken, while in Wallonia French is predominant. Moreover, in parts of the east of the country you’ll find the German-speaking community, where German is spoken. And almost everyone knows how to speak English! So you have no excuse, you have to practice at least one language other than your own during your exchange.

Another advantage of doing your exchange in the capital of the European Union: Belgian gastronomy. We're not only referring to the delicious chocolate you can find everywhere, but also to the sweet options like a "gauffre" or savoury alternatives such as the famous French fries ("brasseries", "frikots" or "frituries"), the "carbonade flamande" or the "moules-frites". And of course, in this section, we couldn’t fail to mention Belgian beer! They come in all types and flavours, so we challenge you to try them and choose your favourite local beer.

Belgium is located in the heart of Europe, which makes it easy to travel and explore other European countries. This strategic location also makes it home to important European institutions, offering unique opportunities for internships and employment in the international arena.

Best things to do in Belgium as a student

In addition to partying and taking advantage of the lively nightlife in student cities like Leuven, take the opportunity to visit the country's various regions and attractions! Divided into three distinct regions, it offers a rich cultural and geographical diversity:

Flanders, the northern region, is characterized by its well-preserved medieval towns and artistic heritage. Bruges and Ghent are emblematic destinations with their medieval architecture and picturesque canals, and Antwerp stands out as a cultural and artistic centre. In this region, you can also enjoy the outdoors in the Flemish Ardennes.

The Brussels-Capital region, although geographically located in Flanders, is bilingual and home to the capital of the European Union. The Grand Place, the Atomium and the diverse neighbourhoods encapsulating cultural diversity are not to be missed when exploring the city.

To the south of Belgium lies Wallonia, a region with a rich industrial history. Cities such as Liège, with its vibrant atmosphere, and Namur, with its beautiful citadel, offer distinctive experiences. Mons, designated European Capital of Culture in 2015, highlights the cultural richness of the region.

As for nature, between the three regions you can enjoy the beautiful forest of Soignes, a large green area with thousands of trees, ponds, paths and wild animals. If, instead, you prefer the sea and sand, you can stroll along the extensive beach of Ostend on the shores of the North Sea.