Hello BRUSSELS!
As the capital of Belgium and home of the European Union, Brussels is a multicultural city full of history. Besides delicious chocolate, waffles and fries, it also has a vibrant LGBTQ+ scene and is one of the most queer-friendly cities in Europe.
The following sections have been developed with Exaequo in conjunction with local community activists and contain everything you need to know about coming to Brussels as a queer migrant.
Checklist
Just arrived in Brussels? Here is a list of essentials to get you started:
⃞ Getting a Belgian Residence Permit
A Belgian residence permit is a document that is issued to foreigners who wish to legally live in Belgium for more than 3 months. It is essential to have one for many administrative processes, such as opening a bank account, applying for social insurance, etc. The process to register in Brussels varies depending on if you are a EU or non-EU citizen. Check out this guide for details. If you are an asylum seeker and need guidance, it is best to reach out to local organisations. Rainbow House hosts more than 30 LGBTQ+ organisations in Brussels, and they will be able to guide you through the process.
⃞ Opening a bank account
The requirements for opening a bank account vary depending on each bank. Normally, you will need to provide documents to verify your identity and address. If you don’t have a permanent address in Belgium yet, some banks may still allow you to open an account. Depending on your bank of choice, you might be able to open an account entirely online, while others will require you to visit one of their offices in person.
⃞ Getting a SIM card
Having a Belgian phone number is extremely useful for getting around, accessing services and making appointments. You can easily buy a SIM card either online or in any mobile shop or supermarket. You can choose from several different providers and plans - if you are unsure which one suits your needs best, you can check out this site.
⃞ Getting around
Brussels and has an extensive public transport network, making it very easy to move around with no need for a car. The easiest and cheapest way to pay is to get a seasonal ticket (monthly or yearly), which allows you to make unlimited journeys for 1 or 12 months. You can load your seasonal tickets into a MOBIB card - a personal travel card. Visit the STIB-MIVB website for more information.
Health information
Healthcare in Belgium is not free, but it has been designed to be fair and accessible to all - regardless of your immigration status.
Here you can find everything you need to know about accessing health services in Brussels as a queer migrant:
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To access Belgium’s public healthcare system, you first need to register as a resident. You then need to sign up to make social insurance contributions. If you’re employed, the contributions will directly be taken from your income. If you’re registered as a resident but don’t have any income, you can access free healthcare.
You also need to join a health insurance fund, called a ‘mutuelle’ or ‘ziekenfonds’. To do this, book an appointment at the local office of your chosen fund. They all reimburse the same amounts when you visit doctors and/or hospitals. That amount is decided by the government. All mutuelle/ziekenfonds usually cover extra services (psychologist, sport classes, glasses, etc.), but they ask a monthly extra fee for those services. The services and fees vary for all mutuelle/ziekenfonds. CAAMI is the only mutuelle/ziekenfonds that doesn’t offer extra services and doesn’t require you to pay an extra monthly fee.
Once you’ve registered with a health insurance fund, your national residency card will be updated to show your membership. Show this when you visit a doctor.
You can book an appointment with any GP by calling or emailing the practice of your choice. You do not need to register with them first.
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If you are undocumented, you can still access healthcare services for free under a system called Urgent Medical Care - AMU (Aide Médicale Urgente) in French. Despite the name, it's NOT solely for emergency situations. To request it, you need to have been in Belgium for more than 3 months and be stabilised in a commune*.
Medimmigrant offers a lot of support on Urgent Medical Care on their website, including a detailed guide on how to access it, available in several different languages. Find it on this link.
*Note that the term ‘commune’ in this guide refers to the different administrative regions of Belgium.
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The Belgian public healthcare system provides subsidised access to most services for sexual and reproductive health. This includes abortion, contraception , maternity care, cancer screenings, as well as STI testing services.
To access sexual health services, you can either get a referral from your GP/family doctor or approach a clinic or specialist yourself. If you need advice, you can get in touch with Exaequo.
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Exaequo offer free and anonymous HIV testing for men who have sex with men and transgender people. You can go in person by making an appointment in advance, calling 02 736 28 61, on WhatsApp or emailing info@exaequo.be. They also offer free self-tests that you can take at home. You can order a kit for free by filling this form.
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If you are HIV negative and believe that you’ve been at risk of HIV in the past 72 hours you can go as soon as possible to the emergency department of an HIV reference centre (a centre, linked to a hospital, which provides care for people with HIV). They will be able to provide you with PEP, a combination of drugs that can stop HIV. It needs to be taken for 28 days.
To find your nearest emergency clinic, check out this list from Exaequo.
The medication for PEP is always free in Belgium, but if you’re not officially registered in the Belgian health system some fees may apply.
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PrEP is a way of preventing HIV by taking a pill before sex and continued after sex. It’s taken by someone who doesn’t have HIV, to prevent them from getting HIV.
Have a look at this list to find your nearest clinic where you can get PrEP for free.
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Exaequo have developed the website chemsex.be, which contains all the information you might need on chemsex, how to reduce risks, and advice on getting help if you are struggling.
Exaequo also runs weekly support groups for people who are seeking to stop or reduce their drug consumption, and provides free materials for a safe drug consumption that you can get either in person or by ordering it through their online shop. Have a look at this link for more details.
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You can get prescribed hormone therapy by any generalist doctor in Belgium. However, not all doctors are knowledgeable about trans issues and identities. Some of them require a gender dysphoria diagnosis from a psychiatrist before prescribing anything. However, this is not a legal requirement to get access to hormone therapy or other gender affirming treatments in Belgium, and you can avoid it by going to a trans-friendly doctor.
The organisations Genres Pluriels has created a Trans* and Inter* Pyscho-Medicol-Social Network, made up of health professionals that provide trans specific healthcare without need of a psychiatric diagnosis. You can reach out to them by emailing rendez-vous@genrespluriels.be. They can give you advice and refer you to trans-friendly professionals that can help you get the treatments you need.
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Most sexual health services aimed at the LGBTQ+ community focus on health care for men who have sex with men and transgender people. There is a widespread misconception that cis women who have sex with women are not at risk of STIs. In addition, many queer women and non-binary individuals are hesitant to get the gynaecological care that they need due to prejudices related to sexuality and gender.
The project Go to Gyneco! addresses these needs and offers sexual health guidance for women who have sex with women. They also have a service to find queer-friendly health practitioners - including gynaecologists. Visit their website to find out more.
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In Belgium, currently all men who have sex with men and transgender people can access preventive mpox vaccination. If you got your first dose abroad, you can also get your second dose in Belgium.
Note that if you currently show symptoms or if you have just had mpox you will not be eligible for vaccination.
If you do not meet all the Belgian criteria or want to get vaccinated sooner, you can go to France where preventive vaccination is available for free (even if you don't live in France) for all men who have sex with men and transgender people.
In Brussels, the St Pierre hospital offers mpox vaccination - go here for details. To see all the centres where you can get vaccinated - both in Belgium and in France - check out the list at the bottom of this page from Exaequo.
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It is recommended that men who have sex with men are vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B, especially if you’re having lots of sex. You can get vaccinated for free by your GP or at a sexual health clinic. There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C, but you can take precautions to avoid getting it - see below.
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Hepatitis C is more common in some groups of men who have sex with men. If you’re having lots of sex, have particular types of sex (including fisting), or have injected drugs, getting tested for Hep C at your regular sexual health check-ups is recommended. For more information about the virus and how to prevent transmission, go to this link.
Mental health support
Moving to a new place often means being far away from our family, friends, and the people that make up our support networks back home. Struggling with loneliness and homesickness as a migrant is very common, and it can take a significant toll on our mental health.
If you need help, this section can help you access the resources that are available to you.
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Unfortunately, many mainstream services are not well aware of the particular mental health needs of queer communities. Additionally, as queer people, we often feel more comfortable speaking to someone who is also queer. If you find yourself in need of mental health support, the organisation Tels Quels has a social services division that can give you support and advice to navigate difficult situations. To check their availability, follow this link.
If you are trans or intersex, the organisation Genres Pluriels offers counselling and many other services to support the wellbeing of trans and intersex people. Have a look at this link for more details.
Exaequo runs a support group for those who are HIV positive, called Tea+. They organise discussion groups as well as other leisure activities. To see when it takes place and sign up, check out Exaequo’s website and social media.
If you are looking for specific support for migrants, Women Now has a social, psychological and legal counselling service specifically for migrant women and LGBTQ+ individuals. You need to book an appointment in advance. To do so, you can reach out to them via email at juridique-sociale@women-now.be or phone +32 [0]493 47 47 57.
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If you are a refugee or asylum seeker, you might be caught up in really long processes to claim asylum in Belgium, and struggling to navigate uncertainty - on top of having to adjust to a new environment. In addition to the organisations mentioned above, you can reach out to Rainbow Refugee Committee. While they do not offer counselling services specifically, they do organise workshops, social groups, and overall can support you during the asylum application process.
Genres Pluriels also offers specific support to trans and intersex asylum seekers in Belgium. Contact support@genrespluriels.be if you need help.
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Exaequo has a lot of resources for LGBTQ+ drug users - while they are mostly focused on chemsex, they can also be useful for other types of drug consumption. Have a look at their Chemsex website for details.
You can also reach out to organisations such as Project Lama and Modus Vivendi for social, psychological and medical support.
Social groups & Community
Looking to make new friends? Making connections, building community and having a good support network around you can help you feel less alone and settle into your new home.
Here you can find lots of links and resources to make queer connections and explore what Brussels has to offer you.
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Rainbow House hosts many different queer societies based in Brussels, who organise all kinds of events. Have a look at their website to see what they have coming up, and the societies that you can join.
If you’re into sports, Brussels Gay Sports runs many LGBTQ+ sports groups open to everybody.
Enjoy signing? Brussels also has its own queer choir, called Sing Out Brussels! Go on their website for details.
Exaequo also organises activities every month (film screenings, shows, exhibitions, board games, etc.). You can request the program at info@exaequo.be.
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Belgium’s official languages are French and Dutch. In Brussels, French is most commonly spoken, and learning it can make your life significantly easier, allowing you to make friends, get a job, communicate with your doctor, and much more. Attending language classes is also a great opportunity to meet other migrants that might be in a similar situation as you.
Bapa XL is Brussels’ reception office for newcomers, and offers services to help migrants integrate to Belgian society - including free French courses. Have a look at their website for more details.
If you would also like to learn Dutch, Huise van het Nederlands (House of Dutch) is the main institution in Belgium that provides Dutch lessons. You can visit their office for advice and information on courses available - check out their website for more info.
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Brussels has several LGBTQ+ social groups and associations for migrants from different backgrounds:
Balkan LGBTQIA+ is a social and support for queer people from the Balkans. They do advocacy work and also organise social activities and events. For more information, check out their Facebook.
Long Yang Club is a social group for Asian and non-Asian queer individuals. They regularly organise meetings and activities. You can join their Facebook Group to learn more.
Merhaba is an organisation that works to unite and empower LGBTQ+ migrants, particularly those of a Muslim background. For more information and to get involved, visit their website.
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The organisation Vulcana works to promote queer and inclusive art in Brussels. They run a bunch of queer-centred cultural events and exhibitions around the city. Have a look at their website to see their programme and learn more about them.
Brussels also has an annual LGBTQ+ film festival, called Pink Screens. It takes place in November. Although the programme for 2023 has not been published yet, you can keep an eye on their website for information.
Legal advice
We know - bureaucracy is a nightmare. This section is here to make it a bit more bearable for you.
For refugees and asylum seekers
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Legal representation and advice to applicants of international protection and refugees in Belgium is provided primarily by private lawyers. If you do not have the financial means to pay for a lawyer, you may ask for a pro bono (free) lawyer.
There are two ways of obtaining a pro bono lawyer:
You contact your local Bureau for Legal aid, which will appoint a lawyer for you if you meet the conditions.
You choose and contact a lawyer who will submit the application for free legal aid on your behalf.
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You should apply for asylum in Belgium as soon as possible. You can do it once you arrive at the Belgian border, with the police, or once you are already in Belgium, by going in person to the Immigration Office. You should go no later than 8 days after your arrival in Belgium.
The Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS) will examine your application, interview you and make a decision to grant you protection or not. During your interview, you must disclose your sexual orientation and/or gender identity. To back your case, you will also have to explain why you are seeking protection and why you are in danger in your home country with as much detail as possible.
If you receive a negative decision from the CGRS, you have the right to appeal this decision before the Council for Alien Law Litigation (CALL) with the help of a (free) lawyer.
For more information and an in-depth guide on how to navigate the Belgian asylum process, visit asyluminbelgium.be.
It is important to keep in mind that the steps to take during the asylum process change often. For this reason, we advise you to get in touch with an organisation that specialises in international protection, such as Rainbow Refugee Committee, so that they can inform you on how the process currently works.
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Rainbow Refugee Committee is an association that aims to support LGBTQ+ refugees in Belgium in all areas. They can guide you through the asylum process and also offer workshops and activities to support queer refugees. For more information, visit this site.
You can also check out inQlusion, which works to support queer migrants in Belgium and offers activities and social groups as well as support navigating the asylum process. Check out their website.
General immigration questions
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Belgium recognises same sex partnerships, which means that you can immigrate to the country to be with your partner under the same conditions as anyone in a heterosexual relationship. You will need to apply for a type C/Schengen visa, which allows you to come to Belgium and apply for cohabitation. You will need to submit proof of your relationship; if you are not married, you must be in a registered partnership. You will have to submit proof that you have lived together for at least one year, or that you have known each other for at least two years and have been in regular contact.
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If you no longer meet the conditions to legally stay in Belgium, you may be issued with a removal order from the Immigration Office (ordre de quitter le territoire, OQT), requiring you to leave Belgium by a specific date. If you refuse to leave, you risk being arrested by the police and sent to an immigration detention centre while your deportation is processed.
In some cases, you might be able to appeal against a deportation order - check out this page from the Belgian government for more information. If you are at risk of being deported, we strongly recommend getting legal advice as soon as possible.
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If you are a sex worker, Brussels is a great place to be. Belgium recently became the first European country to officially decriminalise sex work, awarding sex workers rights in terms of status, social protection, and healthcare, like other self-employed workers.
If you need advice, you can get in touch with UTSOPI (Union of Sex Workers Organised for Independence). They are a sex workers’ collective and can help you with any questions you may have about being a sex worker in Belgium.
The organisation Alias also supports men and trans women who engage in sex work. They offer free STI tests every week, among many other services - have a look at their website for details.
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A hate crime is an act of violence or hostility because of who you are - including your sexual orientation and gender identity.
Belgian law protects citizens against hate crimes and punishes those who commit them. If you have been the victim of a hate crime, you can report it to the police if you feel safe to do so. For more guidance and support, you can reach out to Unia, who cover discrimination and hate crimes on the basis of sexual orientation. If you have been victim of a hate crime on the basis of your gender identity, you can get support from The Institute for Equality of Women and Men. They can offer help and advice to trans people.
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There are no HIV-specific laws in Belgium, but there have been a few cases in which general clauses of the Belgian penal code have been used to prosecute HIV ‘exposure’ and non-disclosure in both sexual and non-sexual cases. Laws relating to HIV status disclosure are different from country-to-country, and can frequently change. The HIV Justice Network provides an extensive database of HIV criminalisation law around the world and provides up-to-date information globally.
Housing advice
The Brussels housing market can be intense, and finding a place to call home is especially challenging as a migrant. If you are tired of going to viewings and dealing with unresponsive landlords, this section will make your experience more bearable and help you manage challenging situations.
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One of the most popular ways to find a room in a shared flat in Brussels is through Facebook Groups, such as BXL a louer and Bruxelles: Location appartement. For groups specifically aimed at queer people, check out Queer Exchange Belgium and TPGB BXL.
There are also several websites where you can browse, such as Appartager and Immoweb. You will often be able to find ads that specify that they are LGBTQ+ friendly.
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Brussels is one of the world’s most queer-friendly cities, with a very lively LGBTQ+ scene. Queer people can be found all around the city, and there is no particular area that is more LGBTQ-friendly than others.
Nonetheless, Brussels does have a gaybourhood, located in the city centre - mostly concentrated in Rue du Marché au Charbon. Due to being in the centre, however, it is not a very residential area - we recommend checking out other areas a bit further out, where you are most likely to find housing.
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Le Refuge Bruxelles offers emergency accommodation to young LGBTQ+ asylum seekers who are suffering in refugee reception centres or in a situation of homelessness. Go to their website for more information.
There are unfortunately no shelters for older queer refugees in Brussels. However, if you find yourself in need of housing, you can reach out to Convivial. They have a housing programme for refugees and can help you find a place to live and guide you through the process. Visit this page for details.
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If you are a young person aged 18-25, you can reach out to Le Refuge Bruxelles. They are a shelter that provides emergency accommodation and a support structure for young LGBTQI+ people in a situation of family exclusion. Have a look at their website for more details.
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The Brussels Parliament recently set a cap on rent increases, according to the energy efficiency of each property. If your home has a low energy efficiency - categories F and G - your rent cannot be increased. For houses that are high energy efficient, rent can be increased in accordance with the inflation rate.
If you live in a high energy efficient home and your landlord tries to increase your rent beyond the inflation rate, you are legally entitled to refuse.You cannot get evicted for refusing to pay above a rent increase above the inflation rate.
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You might be at risk of being evicted for several different reasons, such as if you do not pay rent on time, or do not keep the property in good condition. In that case, your landlord might request an audience before a judge. You can only get evicted if the judge deems it necessary and authorises it.
If you have been summoned to court, make sure to check first if all the information is accurate and the claims that your landlord is making are true. You can try contacting your landlord and reach an agreement with them before the audience to stay in amicable terms.
For more guidance on how to navigate this situation, check out this guide.
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Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity is illegal under Belgian law. If a landlord refuses to rent their property to you, treats you unfairly or tries to evict you for being queer, you can take action against them. Make sure to prepare and gather as much evidence as you can before taking legal action. For more information and advice, you can get in touch with Unia, for discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, or with The Institute for Equality of Women and Men, who covers discrimination on the basis of gender identity.
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If your flatmates are discriminating or being abusive towards you for being queer, the best thing to do for your safety is to leave as soon as possible. If you feel comfortable, you can report the issue to your landlord/estate agent to explain why you want to move out, or try to find a solution.
You will normally have to give at least one month’s notice to move out. If you feel like your safety is at risk and you need to leave immediately, you can reach out to Le Refuge Bruxelles, or any of the shelters in this link for emergency accommodation.
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Most landlords will require you to go through a reference and identity check process before renting out their property to you, and may not accept tenants who are undocumented or cannot provide proof of income. However, some landlords might accept cash payments if you ask them.
If you are a sex worker, you do not have to disclose your occupation - the most important thing is to provide proof that you earn enough to afford rent. If you can afford it, you can offer to pay several months’ rent in advance to increase your chances of securing a place to live.
Sex & Connections
Looking for a hookup? Wanna know what the hottest dating apps are? Looking to find someone with the same kinks as you? Regardless of your preferences, Brussels is bound to have something for you. Feel free to explore this section, and don’t forget to always take the necessary precautions.
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Besides dating apps, Brussels has a vibrant LGBTQ+ scene with plenty of venues where you can meet people. Most of them are concentrated around Rue du Marché au Charbon and the Saint Jacques neighbourhood. We encourage you to research and see which ones are the best fit for you. Have a look at this page for an overview of all of them.
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Hooking up and dating as a queer woman can be tricky due to a general lack of apps and spaces that cater to this demographic. However, besides mainstream dating apps, there are others such as HER and Lex that are worth a try.
If you are looking to meet queer women in person, Brussels has a couple of lesbian bars: The Crazy Circle and Mothers & Daughters - note that the latter is a pop-up bar. In addition, there are lesbian parties being organised regularly by Velvet 69. Check out their website to see when their next event is.
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Brussels has plenty of options if you are looking to engage in casual sex. Mobile apps such as Grindr, Scruff, HER or Lex are very popular amongst queer people to find dates and hookups. As in any city, it's important to follow these safety tips:
Consider meeting your hookup in public first: if you met on an app, consider meeting in a public space, so that you can make sure they really are who they claimed to be, and assess whether or not you feel comfortable and safe with them before taking things further.
Let someone know where you’re going and who you’re going with: tell someone you trust that you are going for a hookup, so that if they do not hear from you after several hours they can check up on you. You can also share your location with them so that they know where you are in case you need help!
Discuss your boundaries and preferences: communicate clearly with your hookup about what type of sex you want to have (and if you want sex at all!). You should never do anything that you don’t feel fully comfortable doing.
Always ask for consent! Even if you have already discussed beforehand what you would like to do, you still need to get consent from the other person before you actually engage in any sexual activity. Remember that it is also okay to change your mind and say no if you no longer feel comfortable having sex with someone.
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The overwhelming majority of queer spaces and dating apps in Brussels are trans-friendly. The organisation Genres Pluriels hosts a small gathering every last Thursday of the month, called “La Permanence” - more details here. They also organise several other activities and events for trans and intersex people - go to this link for an overview of all of them.
You will often also be able to find events on Facebook. Most of the time, they will give instructions for how to get there and use personal codes to ensure everyone's safety.
Always remember to not go alone if possible, or share your location with a friend to stay safe. If you find yourself in a situation where you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, get away as soon as you can and if possible get help from a friend or anyone you feel safe with.
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Cruising - looking for people to have sex with in a public place, such as a park - is not illegal in Belgium. However, you might risk getting in trouble if someone sees you having sex in public. Be careful when choosing a spot and make sure no one can see you.
You still need to make sure you are safe while cruising: if you are going to a new location, find out where the exits, dead ends and shortcuts are. Remember that consent is still important and you always have the right to say no - stick to your boundaries!
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There are more places to connect beyond the commercial ‘scene’. Many of us don’t have the money to hang out in pubs or bars, or we might be sober or in recovery and want to avoid being around alcohol.
Rainbow House hosts many different queer societies based in Brussels, who organise all kinds of events. Have a look at their website to see what they have coming up, and the societies that you can join.