Student Life

THE ESSENTIALS

To get your driving license in Brussels, you’ll first need to pass the theoretical exam from age 17, then choose your practical training path (free with a guide or via a driving school) from age 18. The process also includes a risk perception test and the practical road exam. Prepare well, because each step has its cost and specific requirements to avoid pitfalls and unnecessary expenses.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

You can start the theoretical exam from age 17 and get your provisional driving license. But for the practical exam and the definitive license, you’ll have to wait until you’re 18.

The theoretical exam (price in 2026)

• It costs €19.00 in Brussels.
• It’s a 50-question multiple-choice test; you need at least 41/50 to pass.
• Watch out for serious errors: two 5-point errors mean direct failure.
• If you fail twice, you’ll have to take 12 hours of theoretical lessons at a driving school before you can retake it. These courses can cost between €150 and €350.
• Your theoretical pass is valid for 3 years.
• You must take your theoretical exam in Brussels to be able to take your practical exam in Brussels.

Practical training options (rules in effect since 01.11.2018)

In Brussels, you have a choice of four paths:

• Free option (with a guide): You learn with one or two guides who meet the legal conditions. You must complete a minimum 9-month internship. There are no mandatory driving school hours.
• Mixed option (with a guide + driving school): You complete a minimum 6-month internship with a guide and take at least 14 hours of driving school lessons.
• Driving school with internship (without a guide): You take at least 20 hours of driving school lessons and complete a minimum 3-month internship without a guide.
• Driving school without internship (direct access): You take at least 30 hours of driving school lessons and can then take the practical exam directly, without a provisional license.

The provisional driving license is valid for 18 months for options with an internship. It costs around €30-40 at the commune (in 2026).

The risk perception test (RPT) (price in 2026)

• This is a mandatory test for all options; you take it on a computer at an approved examination center.
• It costs €17.00.
• If you fail the RPT twice (or the practical exam), you’ll have to take 6 hours of practical lessons at a driving school.

The practical exam on public roads (price in 2026)

• It costs €42.00.
• It includes maneuvers like parallel parking and a U-turn, in addition to road driving.
• After two failures in the practical exam (or the RPT), 6 hours of practical lessons at a driving school are mandatory.
• Renting a driving school car for the exam costs between €80 and €120.

First aid training

In Brussels, you must complete first aid training before taking your practical exam if your provisional license was issued after November 1, 2018, or if you opt for direct access after 30 hours at a driving school. This training is free for candidates taking their exams in Brussels.

Real budget (estimates in 2026)

• The theoretical exam: €19.00.
• The risk perception test: €17.00.
• The practical exam: €42.00.
• The provisional license at the commune: around €30-40.
• The definitive license at the commune: around €25-45.
• If you choose a driving school, a 20-hour package costs between €1,000 and €1,400. An additional hour can cost between €50 and €80.
• In the free option, the “pedagogical appointment” (mandatory) costs between €60 and €80.
• A total budget can range from €500 to €800 for the free option, and from €1,500 to €2,500 for a driving school.

HOW TO DO IT

• Pass your theoretical exam: From age 17, you can prepare alone or take 12 hours of lessons at a driving school. Make an appointment at an examination center in Brussels (Anderlecht or Schaerbeek).
• Request your provisional driving license: Once you’ve passed the theoretical, go to your commune to get it.
• Start your practical training: Choose your option (free, mixed, driving school with or without internship) and start
  

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  Verified sources

  • permisrapide.be
  • permisbelges.be
  • autosecurite.be
  • bruxelles-j.be
  • permispass.be
  • aibv.be

  Information verified on 05/09/2026. Amounts and rules may change: always check with the official body.

THE ESSENTIALS

Choosing your first bank account in Belgium is easy and can even be free! Most banks offer free youth accounts up to a certain age (often 18, 24 or 26 years old) in 2026. These accounts allow you to manage your money daily with a debit card and a mobile app, under your parents’ supervision if you are a minor. It’s the first step towards your financial independence.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

In Belgium, you can open a youth bank account from the age of 8 to 10, with the consent of your parents or legal guardians. Belgian law does not set a minimum legal age, but requires sufficient discernment for the child.

Free accounts (in 2026):

• ING Go to 18: Free for young people aged 8 to 17.
• KBC/CBC Youth Account (Plus Account): Free up to 24 years old.
• Beobank Jump Account: Free up to and including 26 years old, from 10 years old.
• BNP Paribas Fortis Welcome Pack: Free up to 18 years old, then converted to Hello4You, free up to 28 years old.
• Crelan Economy Plus Pack: Free up to 25 years old.
• Deutsche Bank iAccount jeunes: Free.

What is generally included and free with your youth account (in 2026):

• A debit card (Bancontact/Maestro/Mastercard Debit) for paying in store and online.
• Cash withdrawals in euros, free of charge, in Belgium and in the SEPA zone.
• Access to the mobile banking application (to check your balance, make transfers, pay via QR code, Apple Pay or Google Pay).
• The ability to pay contactless with your card or smartphone.
• Digital account statements.

Limits and parental control (in 2026):

• For minors, your parents can set spending and withdrawal limits, per day and per week.
• For example, at KBC/CBC, the standard limit for under 18s is 120 euros per day for withdrawals and 900 euros per week for withdrawals and payments. At ING, 10-15 year olds can withdraw or deposit 50 euros per week, and 16-17 year olds, 125 euros per week. These limits can

Verified sources

• comparatif-compte-courant.be
• bancompare.be
• ing.be
• kbcbrussels.be
• hellosafe.be
• cbc.be

Information verified on 02/09/2026. Amounts and rules may change: always check with the official body.

THE ESSENTIALS

Do you have a foreign diploma and want to study or work in French-speaking Belgium? You’ll need an equivalence! This is a mandatory step for your diploma to be recognized here. The procedure is done through the Equivalence Service of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation and allows you to know which Belgian level your qualification corresponds to.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

To access higher education (bachelor’s) in French-speaking Belgium, your secondary school leaving diploma must be recognized as equivalent to the Belgian Certificat d’Enseignement Secondaire Supérieur (CESS).

Actual costs (academic year 2026-2027):

• The administrative fees for a secondary school leaving diploma equivalence application (equivalence to the CESS) are €400.
• If you come from an OECD member country or a country benefiting from official development assistance (ODA), the fees are €150.
• The procedure is free if you benefit from temporary protection.
• These fees are never refunded, even if your application is refused.
• For higher education diploma equivalences (in certain specific cases), the cost is €200 (or €150 for ODA countries).

Deadlines (academic year 2026-2027):

• The normal period to submit your secondary diploma equivalence application is from November 15 to July 15 preceding your enrollment.
• For the 2026-2027 academic year, the application had to be received by July 15, 2026, at the latest.
• A late application is possible until September 14, 2026, if you have a serious justification (for example, results announced after July 10).
• Processing your complete application generally takes between 4 and 12 weeks.

Where to submit your application:

• For the equivalence of your secondary diploma, you must contact the Equivalence Service for compulsory education of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.
• The address is: Direction générale de l’enseignement obligatoire, Service des équivalences, Rue Adolphe Lavallée 1, 1080 Bruxelles.
• You can send your application by registered mail or drop it off in person by appointment.
• If you want to enroll in

Verified sources

• jeminforme.be
• studyinbelgium.be
• ijbxl.be
• bruxelles-j.be
• etudierenbelgique.be
• condorcet.be

Information verified on 01/09/2026. Amounts and rules may change: always check with the official body.

THE ESSENTIALS

Choosing a higher education institution in Brussels means opting for practical, career-oriented studies, with lots of hands-on experience and internships. Unlike university, which is more theoretical, a higher education institution prepares you directly for the world of work. Starting from the 2026-2027 academic year, registration fees are harmonized and calculated according to your financial situation, with amounts ranging from 0€ to 1,194€ for students from the European Union.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Higher education institutions in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation (FWB) offer studies in 13 major fields, such as information and communication, economic and management sciences, health sciences, or even engineering sciences and technology.

You’ll mainly find two types of bachelor’s degrees:

• The professionalizing bachelor’s degree: This is a 3-year program (sometimes 4 years for certain fields like nursing or midwifery), which gives you 180 to 240 ECTS credits. It’s super practice-oriented with lots of internships and prepares you directly for a profession.
• The transition bachelor’s degree: This also lasts 3 years and gives you 180 ECTS credits. It doesn’t train you directly for a profession, but it’s designed
  

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  Verified sources

  • cfwb.be
  • ephec.be
  • student.be
  • bruxelles-j.be
  • monorientation.be
  • studyinbelgium.be

  Information verified on 31/08/2026. Amounts and rules may change: always check with the official body.

THE ESSENTIALS

Your first tax return can seem scary, but it’s simpler than it looks. Even if you had a small student job in 2025, you’ll probably have to file a return in 2026. The goal is to check your income and make sure you’re not paying too much tax, or even to get back what’s already been withheld. Tax-on-web is your best friend for this, and we’re going to guide you step-by-step.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The return you file in 2026 concerns your income from 2025 (this is called the 2026 tax year).

• Who has to declare? As soon as you turn 18, you normally have to file a return in your own name, even if you had no income. If you’re a minor but had certain income (like a student job), you’ll also have to declare.
• What is the exempt amount? This is the part of your income on which you don’t pay tax. For your 2025 income (2026 return), this amount is 10,910 euros. If you have dependents, this amount can be higher.
• Your student job and taxes:
  • If you only had income from a student job in 2025, you don’t pay tax if the gross taxable amount (the one under code 250 on your 281.10 slip) doesn’t exceed 15,971.43 euros for the 2026 return.
  • If you had other income in addition to your student job, you don’t pay tax if your total net taxable income (after deducting expenses) doesn’t exceed the exempt amount of 10,910 euros for your 2025 income (2026 return).
  • If your employer withheld professional withholding tax from your salary, you can get it back (in whole or in part) if your income remains below the exempt amount.

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  Verified sources

  • myfid.be
  • dexxter.be
  • belgium.be
  • mapremieredeclaration.be
  • bruxelles-j.be

  Information verified on 29/08/2026. Amounts and rules may change: always check with the official body.

THE ESSENTIALS

In Brussels, you’re entitled to free legal aid or a “pro deo” lawyer if your income is limited. There are two types of aid: first-line for quick initial advice, accessible to everyone, and second-line for more comprehensive assistance from a lawyer, subject to income conditions. Don’t let the price stop you from asserting your rights: solutions exist to help you.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

There are two levels of legal aid in Belgium, and therefore in Brussels:

• First-line legal aid: This is initial free legal advice, given by a lawyer. You can access it without any income, nationality, or residency conditions. It’s perfect for a quick question or to find out who to turn to. [cite: 12, 13, 15, 20]
• Second-line legal aid (formerly “pro deo”): If your problem is more complex and requires the help of a lawyer to advise, assist, or represent you in court, you can request a “pro deo” lawyer. This aid is free or partially free, depending on your income and family situation. [cite: 8, 12, 14, 18]

Who is entitled to second-line legal aid (pro deo)?

Your rights are assessed based on your net monthly income and that of the people you live with. The amounts below are valid from September 1, 2025. [cite: 8, 14, 18]

• Completely free aid (you pay nothing):
  • If you live alone and your net monthly income is less than €1,612. [cite: 8, 14, 16, 18]
  • If you live as a couple or in a household, and your household’s net monthly income is less than €1,920. [cite: 8, 14, 16, 18]
• Partially free aid (you pay a small contribution):
  • If you live alone and your net monthly income is between €1,612 and €1,920. [cite: 8,
    

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    Verified sources

    • jeminforme.be
    • rechtbanken-tribunaux.be
    • etterbeek.brussels
    • mediationdedettes.be
    • droitsquotidiens.be
    • justifit.be

    Information verified on 28/08/2026. Amounts and rules may change: always check with the official body.

THE ESSENTIALS

In Brussels, if you’re between 16 and 25 and not feeling your best, know that help is available, and often for free. You can talk to a pro without breaking the bank, thanks to specialized services for young people and reimbursements. The important thing is to know where to look and how it works to get support.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Since April 1, 2024, and at least until December 31, 2026, consultations with a contracted first-line psychologist are completely free for you if you are under 24. You are entitled to a maximum of 10 individual sessions per year and an unlimited number of group sessions reimbursed within this framework. The first individual session is always free, even if you are 24 or older.

The Mental Health Services (SSM) offer multidisciplinary support (psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers) at rates adapted to your income, with possible reimbursements via your health insurance. The Maisons de l’Adolescence (MADO) are free reception, listening, and orientation centers for young people aged 11 to 22, sometimes up to 25. They can offer you free interviews with a psychologist.

There are also “Points d’écoute jeunes” in Brussels, free, confidential, and without appointment, for 15-25 or 16-26 year olds, spread across several communes. If you are a student, your university or college often offers free or very low-cost psychological services (information from February 2026).

The Bru-Stars network is the Brussels mental health network for children, adolescents, and their families (up to 23 years old), and it notably offers mobile teams that can travel to your home. The ZELIG Center at Hôpital Erasme is an outpatient facility for young people aged 1

Verified sources

• psybru.be
• partenamut.be
• ijbxl.be
• bornin.brussels
• lbsm.be
• vivalis.brussels

Information verified on 27/08/2026. Amounts and rules may change: always check with the official organization.

THE ESSENTIALS

In Belgium, being covered by a health insurance fund (mutuelle) is mandatory for everyone, including you as a student. It’s your safety net to get your medical expenses reimbursed, whether it’s a simple consultation or a hospitalization. You can be “dependent” on your parents, which is often the case until you’re 25, or become the “primary policyholder” of your own health insurance. In both cases, mandatory insurance covers you for basic care, but the additional benefits vary depending on the health insurance fund you choose.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

When you’re “dependent” on your parents

Until you’re 25, you’re generally covered by your parents’ health insurance as a “dependent person.” This means you don’t pay contributions for mandatory insurance and you benefit from their reimbursements.

But keep an eye on your income! To remain dependent, your net resources must not exceed a certain ceiling. For the income year 2026 (tax year 2027), this ceiling is 12,300 euros. If you have a student job, you can remain dependent as long as you don’t exceed a certain number of hours or a certain amount of income. If you exceed these limits, you’ll have to register as a primary policyholder.

When you become the “primary policyholder” of your health insurance

You must register as a primary policyholder as soon as your situation changes:

• As soon as you turn 25, even if you’re still a student or unemployed.
• If you start working full-time (employee or self-employed).
• If you receive benefits (unemployment, integration, incapacity for work).
• If your student job income exceeds the authorized ceilings for being dependent.

As a primary policyholder, you pay your own contributions. For non-European students with “student status,” the legal contribution is 78.93 euros per quarter in 2026. If you have an official residence in Belgium and a residence permit, you can register under “resident” status, which can be more financially advantageous if you don’t have official income (no mandatory contribution).

In addition to the legal contribution (for mandatory insurance), most health insurance funds require an additional contribution for their extra services. These amounts vary in 2026: for example, Mutualité Chrétienne (MC) is 15 euros per month, Partenamut is 14.75 euros per month, and Solidaris Wallonie is 16 euros per month. CAAMI, on the other hand, doesn’t require any additional contributions but doesn’t offer any extra benefits.

What’s reimbursed

The Belgian healthcare system has two pillars: mandatory insurance and supplementary insurance.

• Mandatory insurance (managed by INAMI): This reimburses you for part of the costs for basic healthcare. This includes consultations with a general practitioner or specialist, certain medications, hospitalization costs, physiotherapy, or dental care. You always pay a portion of the costs, which is the “patient’s contribution” (ticket modérateur). If you have a Global Medical File (DMG) with your general practitioner, your patient’s contribution

Verified sources

• mc.be
• cfwb.be
• studyinbelgium.be
• student.be
• bruxelles-j.be
• ijbxl.be

Information verified on 27/08/2026. Amounts and rules may change: always check with the official body.

THE ESSENTIALS

After your studies, if you’re looking for a job in Brussels, you need to register with Actiris. This starts your 6-month “professional integration internship,” a period where you actively look for a job without receiving benefits. Once this internship is validated with 2 positive evaluations and if you meet other conditions (like being under 25), you can apply for integration benefits, paid for a maximum of 12 months starting from March 1, 2026.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The professional integration internship lasts 156 days, or about 6 months, and all days are counted except Sundays. During this period, you don’t receive benefits. To be eligible for integration benefits after your internship, you must be under 25 at the time of your first benefit application. You must also have a higher secondary education diploma, or have successfully completed an alternating training program, or a diploma/certificate on a specific list. Integration benefits

Verified sources

• onem.be
• jeminforme.be
• bruxelles-j.be
• inforjeunes.eu
• droitsquotidiens.be
• synova.be

Information verified on 24/08/2026. Amounts and rules may change: always check with the official body.

THE ESSENTIALS

Finding student housing in Brussels can feel like a quest for the Holy Grail for many students, but don’t panic, it’s totally doable if you go about it the right way! For the year 2026, plan for a median budget of around €640 per month, charges included, for a classic student room. Neighborhoods like Ixelles, Etterbeek, or Saint-Gilles are super popular. The secret is to start your search early, ideally between March and June, to have the most choices before the September academic year starts.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Your budget for student housing is a super important point. In 2026, the median rent excluding charges for a student room in Brussels is €550 per person, with half of the accommodations falling between €475 and €650. If you include charges, the median rent goes up to €640 per month, and half of the student rooms are between €550 and €750. Studios are generally more expensive; expect to pay between €700 and €1,100 per month in Brussels in 2026. These prices vary quite a bit depending on the type of accommodation (student room, studio, flatshare), the size, and especially the neighborhood you’re looking in.

Charges are what’s added to the rent. They can be “fixed” (a set amount each month) or correspond to your actual consumption (a “provision for charges” that will be adjusted at the end of the year). Always ask what’s included in the rent to avoid surprises.

The rental guarantee is an amount the landlord asks for to cover any potential damages. In Brussels, for a student lease, it’s capped

Verified sources

• brukot.be
• kotetudiantsixelles.be
• bnb.brussels
• studix.brussels
• student.be
• bruxelles-j.be

Information verified on 23/08/2026. Amounts and rules may change: always check with the official organization.