Brussels among cheapest expat cities in Europe … represents opportunities for investors.

As is its annual custom, consulting firm Mercer has compiled its ranking of the world’s most expensive expat cities in 2021. At the top of the list – which takes into account housing and rental prices, as well as the cost of food, transportation and leisure – is Ashgabat. The capital of Turkmenistan tops the list for the first time, pushing Hong Kong, which has been the most expensive city for three years in a row, to second place. More important to us: Brussels ranks 53^rd in the most recent list. Looking only at the European cities in the list, our capital ranks 13^th.

“Still quite surprising,” says Kristof Schellekens, spokesman for project developer Triple Living. “Brussels is the capital of the European Union and home to a lot of big multinationals. Every year our capital attracts more and more expats and highly educated high potentials.” The numbers confirm his words. Belgium has more expatriates in recent years than ever before. An estimated 220,000 foreign highly skilled workers live and work in and around the Brussels Region. That is an increase of nearly 50% from the beginning of the century. In 2000, there were only 150,000 expats active in our country.

In light of the crises of recent years (Brexit, attacks on Zaventem airport, the financial crisis), the increase is remarkable, but at the same time it shows the incredible potential that is present in our country for expats.

Major international institutions, such as NATO, and the European Quarter make Brussels highly sought after by expats. Its image as one of the world’s leading political global cities is also attracting a lot of attention abroad.

Although Brussels ranks 53^rd worldwide, Mercer’s ranking shows that, compared to other major cities in Europe, our capital is still very affordable. London, Paris, Amsterdam, Zurich, Rome, Milan, Dublin: all are more expensive than our capital city. And that probably plays into the minds of expats as well.