SIM Card and Transport Subscription (Days 1–3)
The installation process in Belgium differs depending on your nationality. Choose the section dedicated to your situation to avoid unnecessary costs.
Guide for Students from the European Union (EU)
Connectivity & Telephony
- Roaming rule: You can use your minutes and data from your home country at no extra cost (EU Roaming).
- When you need a local SIM: If your university, landlord or local banks require a Belgian number (+32) for contracts.
- Recommended local options: Prepaid card from Proximus, Orange or Base.
- Required document: European Bulletin or passport (registration is mandatory by law).
Public Transport (Reduced Passes)
- Brussels STIB/MIVB: Apply for the annual school pass at a physical counter (Bootik). Cost: €12/year. You need your ID and a student card from an EU institution STIB/MIVB School Pass.
- Flanders De Lijn: Buy the Buzzy Pazz season ticket (up to 24 years old) online or at the points of sale.
- Wallonia TEC: Show proof of enrollment at a counter for reduced youth rates.
Guide for Non-EU (International) Students
Immediate Connectivity (Recommended)
- Roaming issue: Home operator rates in Belgium are extremely high and public Wi-Fi networks at airports are often unreliable.
- The best solution: Activate a digital subscription before takeoff using the Airalo eSIM card, directly from the HubStudentsEurope platform, by clicking the ''Buy now eSIM Airalo Belgium'' button, choosing , from the Airalo website, Belgium
- Airalo advantages: Instant 5G internet connection the moment you land in Belgium, without queues, without contracts and without changing your physical SIM.
Public Transport (Discounted Season Tickets)
- Brussels (STIB/MIVB): Go to a sales center (Bootik) with your passport and the official acceptance letter from the Belgian university.
- Mandatory form: You must physically complete the student certificate requested by STIB/MIVB to approve the reduced rate of €12/year.
- Flanders & Wallonia: Register physically at the offices of the operators De Lijn or TEC as soon as you obtain your student visa or temporary residence permit to access the youth/student discounts.
Immediate Connectivity (Recommended)
Airalo
Is the world's first and largest global eSIM platform, the optimal connection solution for non-EU students before leaving their home country. It gives them functional mobile internet from the first second they land in Belgium, without bureaucratic hassles.
How Airalo works in Belgium
- Activate a digital subscription before takeoff using the Airalo eSIM card, directly from the HubStudentsEurope platform, by clicking the ''Buy now eSIM Airalo Belgium'' button, choosing , from the Airalo website, Belgium
- Package name: In the app, the dedicated package for Belgium is called Breeze (or Belganet).
- Local networks: Automatically connects to the top Belgian operators, Base and Proximus, ensuring excellent national coverage.
Speed: Supports high-speed 4G LTE and 5G connections.
Advantages
1. Zero Bureaucracy (No eKYC): Unlike physical operators in Belgium that require a passport scan by law, Airalo does not require any identity verification upon purchase.
2. Keep your old number: The phone works in Dual SIM mode. The student can use the Airalo internet, but remains connected to their home number for apps like WhatsApp or WeChat.
3. Flexible payment: Can be purchased online with any international credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay or Google Pay, before the student has a European bank account.
Limitations:
- No local phone number: Standard internet packages in Belgium are data-only. They do not include classic calls, SMS or a number with the +32 prefix.
- Device compatibility: The student's phone must be unlocked to any network and support eSIM technology (generally models released after 2019-2020).
- Pre-installation: Open the Airalo Belgium app from home, connected to a stable Wi-Fi at home and not to the slow public Wi-Fi at the airport. Strongly recommend that they download and install the eSIM while they are still at home, connected to a stable Wi-Fi at home, and not to the slow public Wi-Fi at the airport.
Public Transport (Reduced Passes)
- Brussels STIB/MIVB: Apply for the annual school pass at a physical counter (Bootik). Cost: €12/year. You need your ID and a student card from an EU institution STIB/MIVB School Pass.
Flanders De Lijn: Buy the Buzzy Pazz season ticket (up to 24 years old) online or at the points of sale.
Wallonia TEC: Show proof of enrollment at a counter for reduced youth rates.
