The Ultimate Brussels Guide for Commission Stagiaires: Your First Month Made Easy 🇪🇺

Welcome to Brussels, future Blue Book trainees! At Morton Place, we’ve welcomed many Commission stagiaires over 15 years, and we’ve compiled these essential insider tips to help you navigate this vibrant European capital with confidence.

 

🚇 Public Transport: Navigating the City with Ease

The Brussels public transport network (STIB/MIVB) offers comprehensive coverage through metros, trams, and buses that efficiently connect all Commission buildings. While the metro stations have that distinctive retro charm (and sometimes puzzling music!), the system is reliable for daily commuting.

“During my stagiaire months, I discovered the metro was the best option for getting to the Berlaymont building – but as the weather improved I ended up using my bike which is faster! ” – Alex, former Commission stagiaire and Morton Place resident

For trainees commuting daily, the MOBIB card is the best option. You can choose between a Personal MOBIB Card, which is linked to your name and allows for monthly or annual passes, or a MOBIB Basic Card, which is anonymous and only reloadable with individual tickets.

Essential Transport Tips:

• Order your MOBIB card before arriving through the STIB website
• Under 26? Qualify for the discounted €49 monthly pass (versus €58 standard)
• Airport travel requires a separate Airport Supplement—regular passes won’t work!

🚲 Sustainable Commuting Options: bikes, ebikes and scooters

Brussels continues improving its cycling infrastructure, making bikes an increasingly popular option among Commission stagiaires.

• Villo! – City-wide bike-sharing with both standard and electric options
• Dott and Lime – Convenient e-scooters perfect for short hops between meetings. At the time of writing, Lime offers the best value for money.
• Swapfiets – The blue-wheeled subscription bikes include free repairs—ideal for the duration of your stagiaire stay

Pro Tip: Some communes surrounding the EU district, including Uccle and Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, have restricted zones for shared mobility. Always check app maps before ending your journey.

🛒 Grocery Shopping in Brussels

Managing your stagiaire stipend effectively starts with knowing the best grocery options in Brussels:

Budget-Friendly Options:

• Lidl and Aldi – Excellent for basics and surprisingly good Belgian chocolate
• Colruyt – Local chain with competitive pricing and an extensive selection

Mid-Range Grocers:

• Carrefour – Multiple locations with good international food sections
• Delhaize – Slightly upscale with quality store brands

“The Delhaize near Schuman metro was my go-to for quick lunches during my Commission stagiaire program. They have great ready-made options that won’t break your budget.” – Maria, 2023 Spring stagiaire

Fresh Markets:

Discover Brussels’ vibrant market scene where local producers offer fresh produce directly:

• Flagey Market (Sundays) – Perfect post-brunch destination
• Chatelain Market (Wednesdays) – Ideal for after-work drinks and dinner
• Parvis de Saint-Gilles (Thur-Sat) – Great weekend food shopping

🍽️ Dining & Food Delivery

During busy Commission project weeks, you’ll appreciate convenient dining options:

• Commission Canteens – Budget-friendly with international selections
• EU Quarter Lunch Spots – Try Exki, Le Pain Quotidien, and Wawa for quick, quality meals
• Evening Delivery – UberEats and Deliveroo connect you to most local restaurants

Stagiaire Social Essential: The Thursday after-work gathering at Place Luxembourg (“Plux“) is where careers and friendships begin—never miss this Commission stagiaire tradition!

🚑 Healthcare Essentials

Prepare for your Brussels stagiaire experience with these healthcare preparations:

• Bring copies of medical prescriptions
• Locate the nearest pharmacy (look for the green cross sign)
• Bookmark Pharmacie.be for after-hours pharmacy locations

For English-speaking care, BruCare and MediTeam are popular with international professionals. Save the emergency number 112 in your contacts.

💳 Banking Solutions

Managing finances during your Commission stagiaire period requires smart banking choices:

• Digital Banking: Wise and Revolut offer commission-free transfers, excellent exchange rates, and mobile payment compatibility
• Traditional Banks: If preferred, ING, KBC, and BNP Paribas Fortis all have branches near Commission buildings

“Setting up Wise before arriving saved me countless fees during my stagiaire months. Most places in the EU quarter take contactless payments, so I rarely needed cash.” – Thomas, Winter 2023 stagiaire

Tip: If you need cash, banks no longer have ATM’s, look for a CASH point: an interbank ATM network all over the city.

🏡 Where to Buy Essential Bedroom & Home Items

If you need to quickly set up your bedroom with essentials, check out these affordable and easy-to-access stores:

• HEMA– Dutch shop which as all household essentials. Great for duvets, pillows, towels, and home essentials, with locations on Avenue Louise and Rue Neuve so nearby to the EU quarter.
• Action– A discount store selling cheap bedding, storage boxes, and kitchen essentials.
• Carrefour Hypermarket– Large supermarkets that sell bedding and homeware.

A bit further out is IKEA Anderlecht, if you prefer the Swedish superstore!

If you’re arriving late or don’t have time to shop in person, click & collect services at IKEA, HEMA, and Carrefour can be a convenient solution.

 

 

 

📢  Next Steps for Stagiaires

At Morton Place, we specialize in helping Commission stagiaires integrate into Brussels life. Our co-living spaces offer more than just accommodation—they provide a built-in community of fellow international professionals.

Experience Morton Place:

• See Available Rooms →
• Book a Tour →
• Learn More About the MP Experience →

Want more insider tips? Discover The Best Gyms in Brussels – our most popular guide for staying fit during your stagiaire experience!

Have questions about Brussels life as a Commission stagiaire? Drop us a message, and our team will be happy to help!

Want More Tips? Stay Connected!

📩 Sign up for our Newcomers’ Newsletter for insider tips on settling in, local events, and life at Morton Place! Tips For Newcomers

🏡 Looking for a hassle-free living experience?
Find out more about joining Morton Place and making Brussels feel like home. Click here to learn more!