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Buying property in Brussels as an expat: the 2026 guide
Foreigners can buy in Brussels with no restriction. Here is what it costs, how financing works for non-residents, the process step by step, and where expats actually buy.
Foreigners can buy property in Brussels with no restriction, resident or not. Budget around 12.5% registration duty on top of the price, plus notary fees. The first-time-buyer abatement only applies if the home becomes your main residence, so factor that in if you are not relocating for good.
Can a foreigner buy in Brussels?
Yes, and there is no nationality or residency condition. EU and non-EU citizens buy on the same terms as Belgians. What changes for an expat is not the right to buy, it is the financing and the tax relief you qualify for.
The costs: registration duty, abatement, notary
The big cost is registration duty, 12.5% of the price in Brussels. The abatement exempts the first €200,000, but only for a sole, own main residence, so a pied-a-terre or an investment does not qualify. See the full breakdown in our guide to notary fees and registration duties.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Registration duty | 12.5% of the price |
| Abatement (main residence only) | first €200,000 exempt, up to €25,000 saved |
| Notary fees | around 1% of the price, fixed by law |
| All-in, without the abatement | around 13 to 15% of the price |
Financing as a non-resident
A Belgian mortgage is possible as a non-resident, but expect stricter terms: a larger deposit, sometimes 20% or more, and proof of stable income. Resident expats with a Belgian contract are treated much like locals. Either way, the National Bank caps the loan around 90% of value for a main residence.