Brussels Real Estate: Apartments and Houses for Sale

Brussels is divided into 19 communes, each with its own character and administration. Ixelles and Etterbeek, near the EU quarter and universities, have a mix of elegant townhouses and flats. Uccle and Woluwe-Saint-Pierre in the south and east are green, family-oriented and more expensive. Saint-Gilles and Schaerbeek have Art Nouveau houses, markets and a creative scene, while Anderlecht and Molenbeek are cheaper and more mixed. The historic centre around the Grand-Place is busy with tourists.

Languages are French and Dutch, with English widely used by the international community. The Brussels Capital Region has its own housing rules and registration duties. Compare other Belgian cities such as Antwerp, Ghent and Liège, where prices differ.

Foreigners can buy in Belgium without restriction. A compromis de vente (sales agreement) usually comes with a 10% deposit, followed by the notarial deed a few months later. Registration duties in the Brussels region are about 12.5% on resale, with a reduction on the first slice for owner-occupiers who meet conditions. Notary fees, agent commission (typically 3% plus VAT, paid by the seller) and mortgage costs add to the bill. New builds carry VAT instead of registration duties. All figures are approximate and should be verified with a notary.

Mortgages for non-residents are available at lower loan-to-value ratios, and banks require Belgian income or substantial equity. Read our Belgium consultation guide, financing page and country overview.

At the median of €409,500 and roughly 113 m², buyers typically find two- or three-bedroom flats in good communes or houses needing renovation in more affordable ones. At the lower quartile of about €243,750, expect small flats or properties needing work. Above €625,000, you are looking at large townhouses or apartments in prime streets. Commercial units appear in our listings (17), including shops and offices, which may suit investors but are a different market with their own lease rules.

Look at the details: ceiling heights, original features and parking are valued, while elevator access and energy labels have a large effect on price. Renovation can require urban-planning permits, particularly in protected areas near the Grand-Place and in Art Nouveau districts.

Many Brussels buildings are old, and energy performance (PEB certificate) matters, as renovation requirements tighten. Condominium rules (copropriété) are strict, and you should read the last three years of meeting minutes and ask about the reserve fund and planned works. Rent controls and indexation are regulated at regional level, which influences yields for investors.