Belgium has a large nursing workforce and continues to need healthcare professionals. Although Belgium’s number of practicing nurses is above the EU average, staffing pressure remains an issue in hospitals and nursing homes.
Reports on Belgian healthcare staffing should be read together: Belgium has a high density of nurses compared with many EU countries, but patient-to-nurse ratios and staff shortages still affect access to care and the availability of hospital beds.
What Degrees are there for Nursing in Belgium?
There are different routes into nursing in Belgium, depending on the Community and the institution. In higher education, the main route is the professional Bachelor of Nursing. In Flanders, the bachelor’s degree in nursing is normally a four-year, 240-ECTS program and includes at least 2,300 hours of clinical education or internship.
After completing a recognized nursing program, graduates may need to complete the appropriate professional recognition and registration steps before practicing, especially if they studied outside Belgium or outside the EU/EEA.
Those with a bachelor’s degree in nursing may continue with further study, including a master’s degree or specialization programs where available. Students who previously completed a vocational or diploma-level nursing route may be able to enter a bridging or shortened pathway to obtain a professional bachelor’s degree, depending on the institution and their prior qualification.
Cost of Studying Nursing
The cost of nursing education in Belgium depends on the Community, institution, program, and the student’s nationality or residence status. In Flanders and Brussels, the 2025–2026 tuition fee for EU/EEA students is listed at €1,157, while non-EU/EEA students may pay around €1,200 to €8,000 per year, depending on the program. In French-speaking Belgium, 2025–2026 maximum annual tuition for Wallonia-Brussels Federation or EU students is listed at €1,194, while many non-EU students may pay a total of €5,369 after the additional contribution.
Besides tuition, students should budget for living expenses. In Flanders and Brussels, a typical student budget is estimated at about €800 to €1,000 per month, including accommodation, food, study materials, transportation, insurance, phone, internet, and personal expenses. Costs can be higher depending on the city, housing, and lifestyle.
Requirements to Study Nursing in Belgium
Belgium has three language Communities: Flemish, French, and German-speaking. You will normally need to study in the language used by your program, which may be Dutch, French, German, or, in some cases, English.
For example, the Howest University of Applied Sciences nursing bachelor’s program is currently listed as available only in Dutch. In Flanders, most Dutch-taught bachelor’s programs require at least B2-level Dutch, although requirements can vary by institution and program.
You will also need a diploma or educational qualification that the institution accepts for access to higher education. Admission requirements may vary depending on your nationality, previous diploma, language level, and the institution’s recognition process.
Best Nursing Schools in Belgium
1. Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts (EhB)
Also known as Erasmushogeschool Brussel (EhB), this higher education institution has more than 7,000 students across two departments and two Schools of Arts, with eight campuses in Brussels and three elsewhere in Flanders. EhB offers associate degree and professional bachelor’s programs, while its Schools of Arts offer bachelor’s and master’s programs in music, audiovisual arts, and performing arts.
International students who wish to pursue a full degree should note that EhB states that its bachelor’s programs are taught in Dutch, except for the Bachelor of Arts in Music. Its nursing program is listed by NVAO as a 240-credit professional Bachelor of Nursing taught in Dutch. Students with an HBO5 nursing diploma can also consider EhB’s bridge program, which the school lists as a 150-credit distance-learning route that can be completed over about two and a half years.
2. Karel de Grote University of Applied Sciences and Arts (KdG)
Named after Charlemagne, the Karel de Grote University of Applied Sciences and Arts officially opened in 1995 in Antwerp. Today, KdG is a large university of applied sciences with a strong practical focus.
Aspiring nurses can study at KdG for a Bachelor of Nursing. NVAO lists KdG’s accredited Bachelor of Nursing as a 240-credit professional bachelor’s program in Dutch. KdG’s current international nursing materials also describe a four-year pathway with 2,300 hours of clinical training and Dutch language learning alongside the program. Because KdG’s nursing route and admission deadlines are changing for international applicants, students should check the current KdG application page before applying.
Applicants should expect to provide proof that they meet the relevant language requirement and a secondary education certificate or equivalent qualification that grants access to a comparable higher education program.
3. Howest University of Applied Sciences (Howest)
You can study nursing in Belgium at Howest University of Applied Sciences, also known as Hogeschool West-Vlaanderen. Howest is located in West Flanders and offers a range of programs in Dutch, along with several English-taught degree programs in fields such as bioinformatics, creative technologies, cybersecurity, digital arts, digital design, and industrial product design.
The nursing program at Howest is currently listed as available only in Dutch. Applicants should therefore check the exact Dutch-language and diploma requirements with Howest before applying.
4. Ghent University (UGent)
The final institution on this list is Ghent University, a major public research university in Ghent, in the Flemish Region. Founded in 1817, UGent has 11 faculties, more than 50,000 students, and more than 200 programs. Most UGent programs are taught in Dutch, although the university also offers English-taught master’s programs and exchange opportunities.
UGent’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences lists the Master of Science in Nursing and Midwifery as an academic master’s degree designed for nurses and midwives. The program combines a common core with specializations such as Advanced Practice Nurse, Implementation Science in Healthcare, and Researcher in Care and Health Sciences. It prepares graduates for advanced practice roles, research, education, management, and leadership in healthcare.
Degree-seeking students with a professional bachelor’s degree in nursing or midwifery may need diploma approval before admission, especially if they hold a non-Belgian diploma. Exchange students generally need their home university to have a bilateral agreement with UGent’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. The faculty states that Dutch is the official language of instruction, though some courses or facilities may be available in English; incoming students are expected to have at least B2-level English, and Dutch-taught courses require Dutch proficiency.
I hope this article was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Europe Scholarships Page and Open Courses in Europe for International Students.
