Startup tech occupiers in Brussels typically cluster in Centre-Ville (Brussels-Central), plan ~130 sqft per seat at mid fit-out ($85–130/sqft), and pay around 32 EUR/sqft ($39 USD) on Class A.

• Preferred submarket: Centre-Ville (Brussels-Central).
• Typical fit-out spec: Mid ($85–130/sqft).
• Plan ~130 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
• Class A rent context: 32 EUR/sqft ($39 USD).
• Typical lease: 9 years with 8 months rent-free.
• Talent depth in Brussels: 84/100.

TL;DR

• Preferred submarket: Centre-Ville (Brussels-Central).
• Typical fit-out spec: Mid ($85–130/sqft).
• Plan ~130 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
• Class A rent context: 32 EUR/sqft ($39 USD).
• Typical lease: 9 years with 8 months rent-free.
• Talent depth in Brussels: 84/100.

Where they cluster

Startup tech occupiers in Brussels typically anchor in Centre-Ville (Brussels-Central). Banking, professional services, government, hospitality HQs.

What they pay

Class A rent in Brussels runs 32 EUR/sqft ($39 USD) on a 9-year lease with 8 months free. Prime submarkets sit at or modestly above the city index.

Spec and fit-out

Typical startup tech fit-out targets mid specification at $85–130/sqft. Functional Cat-B with branded reception and standard meeting-room mix is standard.

Headcount sizing

Plan around 130 sqft per seat blended (workstation + circulation + amenity). A 100-headcount startups office in Brussels typically targets 13,000 sqft of leasable area.

Talent angle

Series B–D scale-ups prioritize flexibility and signature loft stock to attract engineering talent away from incumbents. Deepest multilingual professional talent pool in the EU — French, Dutch, English, and German fluency is standard. Strong EU institutional, regulatory, lobbying, and trade association talent.

Tax and lease context

Headline corporate tax: 25%. Net leases. 9-year terms with break options at years 3 and 6 (Belgian 3/6/9 standard). Free rent of 6-12 months and TI of €60-€100/sqm typical.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Where do startup tech occupiers lease office space in Brussels?

Most cluster in Centre-Ville (Brussels-Central). Rent runs ~32 EUR/sqft ($39 USD) for trophy and prime stock.

What fit-out spec do startup tech occupiers run in Brussels?

Typically mid at $85–130/sqft.

How much office space per seat should a startup tech occupier plan in Brussels?

Plan ~130 sqft per seat blended. A 100-person team typically takes 13,000 sqft.

What NAICS codes describe the startup tech vertical?

Representative NAICS 2022 codes: 541511, 541512, 518210.

What is the talent index in Brussels?

84/100. Use the city profile for full detail.

Related

• Startup tech — global overview
• Brussels — full city profile
• Financial services in Brussels
• Asset management in Brussels
• Investment banking in Brussels
• Legal services in Brussels

Editorial provenance

Reviewed by Samuel Okafor — EMEA contributing editor. Last updated 2026-04-15. See our methodology and editorial standards.

Primary sources for this page

• CBRE Marketview reports — CBRE
• JLL Office Insight — JLL
• Cushman & Wakefield Marketbeat — Cushman & Wakefield
• Savills World Research — Savills
• Colliers Global Office Outlook — Colliers

Full sources index · Submit a correction

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