New in Brussels: Address Registration Municipalities and Daily Life in the EU Capital
Brussels Guide
Arriving in Brussels, the Bilingual Capital Region
The first few weeks
Brussels has been the capital of Belgium since 1830 and is the main seat of the European Union; it is also home to NATO, the permanent secretariat of the Benelux countries and EUROCONTROL. The bilingual Brussels-Capital Region consists of 19 municipalities such as Ixelles, Etterbeek, Schaerbeek or Uccle, which are more like city districts. The official languages are French and Dutch, and street signs carry both names. For newcomers from Germany: within the EU, your household goods need no customs declaration.
Each of the 19 municipalities sets its own rules for address registration and parking; the information in this guide comes from the City of Brussels with its historic centre. We come from Berlin-Moabit and handle the transport right up to your new front door – with packing, transport and assembly, covered under the HGB. If the flat is not yet available, we store your belongings in between. With nothing left to do at the border, you can concentrate fully on arriving, registering with the municipality and the children's first day at school. Details of the process can be found under home removal.
Enquire About a Move to Brussels
Fixed price after a survey, liability under the German Commercial Code (HGB)
Call us on 01625978461: after a survey, we give you a fixed price for your move to Brussels – whether a studio in Ixelles or a house in Uccle. The route of around 756 km is included, and parking restriction signs appear as a separate item in the quote.
Quotes available individually based on workload, scheduling and the desired scope of services.
What We Handle – and What Is Up to You in Brussels
Transport from Berlin, paperwork on your side
We have no branch in Belgium; instead, we drive the lorry around 756 km from Berlin-Moabit to Brussels – more than one driver's daily driving time, so with two drivers or an overnight stop. For the parking space outside the door, the City of Brussels requires an Osiris permit and rented signs, at least ten working days in advance; we agree the date with you. For your belongings we accept liability under the HGB (§ 451e: €620 per m³). You report your address to the municipality yourself. More on long routes under long-distance moves.
Packing Service
Storage
Company relocation
Furniture Transport
Six Steps After Moving In to Brussels
What comes up after the move to Brussels, in a sensible order – from address registration to the metro. The information applies to the City of Brussels; other municipalities in the region may differ.
Address within 8 working days
Wait for the Police Visit
Residence Document
Parking Space via Osiris
Metro, Tram and Bus
Know Your Municipality
Only a Few Items for Brussels? Shared Load
With a shared load to Brussels, your belongings share the load space with other consignments heading for Belgium – a good fit if only a few pieces of furniture or boxes are moving. When you enquire, we tell you whether a trip is currently planned.
What
Newcomers to Brussels Should Know
A move to Brussels comes with a few peculiarities: the region consists of 19 municipalities with their own rules, address registration is only possible after moving in, and a police visit later confirms your residence. For the parking space outside the door, the City of Brussels requires an Osiris permit; no signs may be put up in pedestrian zones. On request, we take care of furniture assembly, kitchen dismantling and the transport of delicate items such as pianos or art. More information under home removal.
Choosing a Municipality
Planning moving day
Businesses and special cases
Frequently Asked Questions from Newcomers to Brussels
19 Municipalities – Where Newcomers Live in Brussels
The Brussels-Capital Region is a continuous urban area of 19 municipalities. The City of Brussels covers the historic centre around the Grand-Place and also includes Laeken, Neder-Over-Heembeek and Haren. Around the EU quarter lie Etterbeek and Ixelles (Elsene); to the south follow Uccle (Ukkel) and Saint-Gilles, to the north and east Schaerbeek, Evere and the two Woluwe municipalities.
We deliberately do not quote specific rents here, because they vary greatly by municipality, location and condition. Start searching early via the large Belgian portals and estate agents and expect to pay a rental deposit. Before committing, also check the municipality's access and parking rules – they decide the parking space on moving day.
Work, Study and Daily Life in Brussels
Brussels is the main seat of the European Union and home to NATO, plus the Benelux secretariat, EUROCONTROL, ministries, associations and many international companies. The city has two universities, several colleges, academies and museums. Many newcomers work in French, Dutch or English.
Three major stations – Brussels-North, -Central and -South – are connected by a tunnel; TGV, ICE and Eurostar trains from Paris, Amsterdam, Cologne, Frankfurt and London arrive at the South station. Zaventem airport is around 12 km from the centre. For relaxation there is the Cinquantenaire Park with its triumphal arch and many green spaces in the southern municipalities. In the centre, the Grand-Place, the cathedral and the Royal Palace are worth a first walk; stops and street signs each carry French and Dutch names, which makes finding your way easier at first.
How Much Does a Move to Brussels Cost?
Plan your move with our guide prices: from €339 for a 1-room flat, from €605 for a 2-room flat, from €909 for a 3-room flat and from €1,289 for a 4-room flat. A house or villa is priced individually. For long-distance moves, we start from €4.20/km. Feel free to use our free survey to discuss all the details.
What the price depends on
The price of your move depends largely on the volume of your household goods, the distance (from €4.20/km) and the floor and whether there is a lift. A required parking restriction zone can also affect the total cost. Additional services such as furniture assembly or a shared load are charged separately.
Services for the move to Belgium
Services for Your Move to Belgium
You can book these services individually or together.
| Furniture transport | Reliable transport for all kinds of furniture. | Furniture transport |
| Move with assembly | Assembly service for a worry-free move. | Move with assembly |
| Home removal | Professional help with your private change of home. | Home removal |
| House clearance | We dispose of what you no longer need. | House clearance |
| Company relocation | Professional moves for businesses and offices. | Company relocation |
| Shared load | An affordable alternative for smaller transports. | Shared load |
From Berlin to Brussels – and Back
We plan moves from Berlin-Moabit (Stromstraße 21), without branches in other cities. Brussels is around 756 km away. More under long-distance moves; places with their own page are in the locations overview.
Registration in Brussels: Changing Your Address with the City of Brussels
According to be.brussels, the Brussels region consists of 19 municipalities, each of which sets its own details. The following information comes from the City of Brussels (brussels.be). It requires you to report your address within eight working days of moving in. Reporting in advance is not possible; you must already live there. One adult can report the whole household. For separated parents with minor children, the registration follows where the children mainly live; with shared custody, it follows the court ruling.
There are three ways:
- online via "Mon Dossier" of the Federal Public Service Home Affairs, logging in with eID and PIN
- via the city's online form
- at the counter without an appointment at the Brucity Administrative Centre or at the branch offices in Laeken, Louise, Neder-Over-Heembeek and Haren
You need your ID or residence permit. A police officer then visits the address to confirm your residence. When invited, you update your ID or residence card at the counter, also without an appointment. The city states costs of 6 euros without specifying the exact item, and expects about four weeks from registration to the card update. The website is available in French, Dutch and English. As of: October 2026.
For the route and process from Germany, see the long-distance moving guide for Brussels; for finding your way around the neighbourhoods, see the Brussels guide.
Moving Day in Brussels: Osiris Permit and Parking Restriction Signs
If you move into or out of a home in the City of Brussels, you often first have to secure the space outside the door. For this, the city rents out parking restriction signs. According to brussels.be, the prerequisite is a permit for the temporary use of public space via the regional platform Osiris. You then apply for the signs online with the city and submit your ID or residence permit together with a copy of the Osiris permit. The application must arrive at least ten working days before the signs are put up. The address must be in the City of Brussels.
The city quotes 114.03 euros for one day and 14.87 euros for each additional day (as of October 2026). The service includes delivery, setting up and collection. The sign only applies Monday to Friday from 7 am to 7 pm; no signs may be put up in pedestrian zones, where a pass is required instead. Important: according to the city, the signs alone do not reserve a parking space, and chairs, pallets or other objects may not be used to keep it free.
So plan early and clarify the date and access in good time. Whether another municipality in the region has different rules is something to ask its administration. Another comparable place in Belgium is Charleroi.
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