As the capital of an expanding Europe, Brussels is an international city like no other. Thirty percent of the population is of foreign origin, and this creates a unique atmosphere in which cultures mix and flow easily amongst one another. 
There is a plethora of organisations, associations, clubs and societies designed for expatriates. There are also many public bodies designed for newcomers.
Historically, as an international city located at the crossroads of the Anglo-Saxon, Latin and Germanic cultures, Brussels has been a centre of trade and culture for centuries.
Amongst international capitals, Brussels is a city with multiple overlapping capital functions and unique characteristics. As the seat of regional, national and international institutions, Brussels represents various territories. Among those roles, the most notable is that of capital of the European Union.
- Capital of Europe and the seat of many European institutions.
- 60% of European purchasing power within a 500 km radius.
- Capital of Belgium (nation founded in 1830).
- Belgium Head of state - King Albert II.
- Head of the Belgian Federal Government - Yves Leterme, Prime Minister.
- Brussels is one of Belgium’s 3 regions, along with Flanders and Wallonia.
- 3 national languages: French, Dutch and German, with English used on a daily basis.
- 1 million inhabitants.
- 5th largest inland port in Europe. Nearby, the port of Antwerp is the 2nd largest in Europe.
- Brussels Airport: 180 passenger destinations and 80 cargo destinations.
- Ever-expanding European high-speed rail network.
- 4 research parks and 30 industrial zones.
Distances from Brussels to European Capitals
- Brussels-Berlin: 1 hour 25 min.
- Brussels-London: 2 hours 20 min.
- Brussels-Cologne: 2 hours 30 min.
- Brussels-Paris: 1 hour 25 min.
Belgium, a federal state made up of three regions
Belgium is a federal state. Power is divided between the federal government, the regional governments of Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels; and the three communities or language groups. The federal system combines three levels of power that are strictly autonomous. Each region is responsible for its own economic development, infrastructure and the environment. The Flemish, French and German speaking communities are each responsible for culture, education and health care.
Brussels is also a top business location and a magnet for multinational companies, creating wealth and attracting skilled workers from throughout Europe and beyond. No less than 1,300 foreign companies have set up offices -either European Headquarters or a sales subsidiary - in Brussels. Major multinational companies have realised that they need to have a presence in Brussels if they want to monitor political or economic developments in the European Union and influence the scope of regulations.
The city offers a surprisingly good communications infrastructure, a quality of life envied by many and a low cost of living. Its workforce is considered well-educated, productive and multilingual. And the city is located at the heart of an open market of 500 million people. Thanks to these geographic and economic advantages, together with its outstanding quality of life, Brussels has convinced numerous overseas investors, from SMEs to multinationals, to establish their headquarters here.
Brussels is also a city of one million inhabitants with an astonishing variety of cultures, styles and nationalities, and a long tradition of hospitality and tolerance. Unlike most European capitals, it is large enough to be cosmopolitan yet small enough to offer all the advantages of a city on a human scale.
According to the 2009 European Cities Monitor survey, conducted by Cushman & Wakefield’s, Brussels is one of the leading cities in which to do business today. Brussels’ major strengths are the availability of qualified staff, easy access to key markets, quality of telecommunications, a favourable business climate in terms of tax policies and the availability of financial incentives, as well as the quality of national and international transport links.
Cushman & Wakefield, European Cities Monitor 2009
| 2009 Rank |
Location |
| 1 |
London |
| 2 |
Paris |
| 3 |
Frankfurt |
| 4 |
Barcelona |
| 5 |
Brussels |
| 6 |
Madrid |
| 7 |
Munich |
| 8 |
Amsterdam |
| 9 |
Berlin |
| 10 |
Milan |
Welcoming investment
Invest in Brussels, was created by the Brussels regional authorities to provide tailor-made assistance to potential foreign investors. In order to better welcome newcomers, the regional government of Brussels has also created the Brussels-Europe Liaison Office (BLO). Its mission is to provide administrative assistance to Brussels-bound people, as well as European and international institutions, not-for-profit organisations and businesses.
Brussels is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. The Brussels-Capital Region is one of Belgium's three regions, but it is also a city with 19 communes, 162 km2 and 1 million inhabitants. It is officially bilingual (French and Dutch), although it has an astonishing variety of cultures, styles and nationalities.
Brussels is home to a unique concentration of decision-makers that shape the lives of hundreds of millions of people. The city houses the major EU institutions - the Council, Commission, Parliament, Economic and Social Committee and Committee of the Regions - and also the headquarters of NATO, the Western European Union and the Benelux organisation.
The city hosts 160 diplomatic missions, the representative offices of some 200 regions and cities, 1,750 non-governmental organisations, 30,000 EU representatives and lobbyists, and the world’s largest foreign press corps, with some 1,200 accredited journalists. Make no mistake: Brussels matters.
Top location in terms of languages spoken
Brussels has a highly cosmopolitan and multilingual population. It is, in fact, the second most important location for large-scale business events in the world. Any individual or business looking to hold an event here will be well catered to: language is not a barrier in the capital of Europe. Services can be provided in English, French, Dutch, German or Spanish without any problem.
However, dig a little deeper and you will discover a pool of speakers of every major European language: Italian, Polish, Czech, Greek, Estonian and even Maltese. Companies surveyed by the 2009 European Cities Monitor identified Brussels as the European city in which the second greatest number of languages are spoken. Brussels ranked behind only the city of London.
Cushman & Wakefield, European Cities Monitor 2009
| 2009 Rank |
Location |
| 1 |
London |
| 2 |
Brussels |
| 3 |
Amsterdam |
| 4 |
Geneva |
| 5 |
Stockholm |
| 6 |
Zurich |
| 7 |
Frankfurt |
| 8 |
Berlin |
| 9 |
Paris |
| 10 |
Copenhagen |
Ideal spot for congresses and conferences
Facilities for seminars and conferences are exceptional in Brussels. There are more than 30 major hotels to choose from, and there is a wide variety of locations available for all manner of occasions. There are historical buildings, conference centres and museums which regularly hold events, receptions, exhibitions and concerts. According to an independent study conducted by the Union of International Associations, the Brussels region ranks 6th in Europe among international associations for holding a congress.
Brussels International provides services and information to ensure that you get the most out of your experience in the Belgian - and European - capital. Event organisers will find all the help and information they need. We want to make sure that your experience of our city is so positive that you want to come back time and time again. And we will do everything in our power to ensure your satisfaction.
There is a plethora of organisations, associations, clubs and societies designed for expatriates. There are also many public bodies designed for newcomers.
