Coliving is no longer just a budget-friendly option for students. In Brussels, it has become a genuine lifestyle choice, attracting young professionals, expats, European trainees, and even more established workers. This shift is reshaping the rental market and creating new opportunities for both tenants and property owners.
🌆 Why Coliving Is So Popular in Brussels
1. High rents encourage shared living
Brussels remains one of Belgium’s most expensive cities for housing. A one‑bedroom apartment often costs between 900 and 1,100 €. Coliving offers a way to significantly reduce costs while enjoying a larger, better‑located home.
2. A young and international population
With its European institutions, universities, and international companies, Brussels attracts a mobile and cosmopolitan crowd. Coliving fits their lifestyle perfectly: flexibility, furnished rooms, short-term contracts, and a social environment.
3. A more social way of living
Urban loneliness is a real issue. Many people choose coliving to enjoy a warmer atmosphere, share moments, and sometimes even build a small “chosen family.”
📈 A Market Becoming More Structured
Coliving in Brussels has become increasingly professional. We now see:
- Premium coliving spaces with services (cleaning, streaming subscriptions, coworking areas)
- Coliving companies managing entire buildings
- Large family houses converted into modern shared homes
- Dedicated platforms that secure contracts and payments
This structure reassures landlords and simplifies life for tenants.
🏡 The Most Popular Neighborhoods for Coliving
🔹 Ixelles & Saint-Gilles
Close to universities, lively, and well connected. Ideal for students and young professionals.
🔹 Etterbeek
Highly sought after by EU trainees thanks to its proximity to the institutions.
🔹 Schaerbeek & Forest
More affordable rents and many spacious houses suitable for larger coliving setups.
🔹 Brussels City Centre
Perfect for those who want everything within walking distance, though prices are higher.
⚖️ Pros and Cons of Coliving
✔️ Advantages
- Lower rent
- Larger, better-equipped homes
- A richer social life
- Flexible rental terms
❗ Disadvantages
- Less privacy
- The need to choose housemates carefully
- Shared responsibilities and common areas
🧭 Tips for a Successful Coliving Experience in Brussels
For tenants
- Visit in person to get a feel for the atmosphere
- Set clear house rules from the start
- Check the energy performance (PEB), charges, and lease conditions
- Choose legal, compliant coliving setups
For landlords
- Offer furnished rooms and pleasant shared spaces
- Use a clear lease (joint lease or individual leases)
- Improve insulation and energy performance
- Select compatible profiles to avoid conflicts
🔮 Coliving in Brussels: A Long-Term Trend
With rising housing pressure, changing lifestyles, and a constant flow of international newcomers, coliving in Brussels shows no signs of slowing down. It has become a modern, flexible, and cost-effective solution that fits the rhythm of a dynamic and evolving city.