Schools & Education in Brussels

Local Community

Caveat

Homeschooling remains a minority choice in Belgium relative to school attendance; it is a genuine, documented option for expat families in Brussels rather than a large mainstream movement.

Exists

Yes

Flemish Community Rules

Testing

Children must be registered with the Examination Board of the Flemish Community (Examencommissie) at set ages — by the school year in which they turn 11 for the primary/basic education exam pathway, and again ahead of secondary-level exams — and must pass these periodic exams to obtain recognized certificates.

Applies To

Families in Brussels who register under the Flemish Community

Inspection

The Flemish education inspectorate can review home education, and if it is judged unsatisfactory on two consecutive visits (or if the family refuses inspection), the child must be enrolled in a school.

Annual Notice Deadline

A declaration of home education must be submitted to AGODI (Agentschap voor Onderwijsdiensten) by the third school day of the school year at the latest, and must be resubmitted every year homeschooling continues; a child cannot switch from school to home education mid-year.

French Speaking Community Rules

Testing

Students must sit official exams at ages 8, 10, 12, and 14 to demonstrate they meet compulsory education benchmarks.

Applies To

Families in Brussels who register under the French-speaking Community

Annual Notice Deadline

Families wishing to homeschool must submit an annual notice of intent by October 1 each year (with a late exception if a student moves into the French-speaking Community mid-year).

European Schools Option

Who Qualifies

The European Schools in Brussels (Brussels I Uccle/Berkendael, Brussels II Woluwe/Evere, Brussels III Ixelles, Brussels IV Laeken) are intended primarily for children of staff of EU institutions, with defined pupil categories.

Practical Takeaway

If neither parent works for an EU institution, NATO, or the UN, a Category III place at a European School is possible but far less certain than at a private international school — apply as early as the window opens and have a backup private-school application in parallel.

Application Mechanics

Applicants must first go through an eligibility verification step before receiving a link to the actual enrolment form; for the 2026-2027 year the second enrolment phase eligibility window ran from mid-May to mid-August 2026.

Eligibility Categories

Category I and II places go to children of EU institution staff, NATO international civilian staff, and UN international civil servants; Category III covers other applicants and is more limited and competitive.

Fees For Budgeting Context

Belgian Public School Option

Cost

Public schools in Brussels are state-funded and do not charge tuition, though small contributions may be requested for materials, trips, or activities.

Example Process Brussels 2026 2027

For secondary school entry, the City of Brussels ran a dedicated enrollment window (2 February – 6 March 2026) using the 'FUI' Single Registration Form issued by the child's primary school; for Dutch-language schools, sibling/staff registration ran 19–30 January and 4–11 February, with general registration 24 February–17 March and final enrollment confirmation 27 April–12 May 2026.

Note

Free, non-tuition public/state schools exist as an alternative but require registration inside fixed regional windows and give priority to siblings of already-enrolled pupils and children of school staff before the general public window opens.