Remote work and the Belgian rental market: 2026 trends
Remote work is reshaping the Belgian rental market: urban exodus, demand for home offices, mixed-use clauses and impact on rents by area.
324days ago
!What changes
- 148% of Belgian employees work at least 2 days per week from home in 2026
- 2Rental demand on the outskirts (Walloon Brabant, Flemish Brabant) rose by 8% in 2025
- 3Listings mentioning an office or workspace rent for 12% more
- 4Mixed-use clauses (residential + work) are becoming standard in new leases
- 5Brussels is losing 3% of tenants to the outskirts and medium-sized Walloon towns
Remote work in Belgium in 2026
Remote work has become a lasting fixture in the Belgian professional landscape. According to the FPS Employment survey (Q1 2026):
| Indicator | 2019 | 2022 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employees working remotely regularly | 17% | 42% | 48% |
| Average remote work days/week | 0.5 | 2.1 | 2.3 |
| Companies offering remote work | 28% | 65% | 72% |
Remote work is no longer a temporary phenomenon linked to COVID but a structural change in the labour market. And this change has direct consequences for the rental market.
The average remote work rate in Belgium is 2.3 days per week in 2026. Enough to justify a larger home or one better situated relative to the place of living (rather than the workplace).
Migration to the outskirts and medium-sized towns
Remote work is redrawing the geography of rental demand:
| Area | Change in rental demand 2025 | Change in rents 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Brussels centre | -2% | +1.2% |
| Brussels outskirts (Brabant) | +8% | +3.5% |
| University towns (Leuven, Namur) | +5% | +2.8% |
| Medium-sized Walloon towns | +6% | +2.7% |
| Rural Flanders | +3% | +1.8% |
Remote workers prioritise: a larger home (home office), a better quality of life (greenery, quiet), a lower cost of living. The Belgian rental market is rebalancing between urban centres and the outskirts.
Demand for home office space
Remote work is creating new search criteria for tenants:
- Dedicated office: a separate room or fitted alcove (criterion no. 3 after location and price)
- Fibre connection: becoming a deal-breaker in listings
- Common spaces: coworking areas on the ground floor (coliving and new-build residences)
- Natural light: remote workers are more sensitive to brightness
Listings mentioning a workspace rent for an average of 12% more than a comparable property without this feature. It is a straightforward investment: fitting out a desk area (500-1,500 EUR) can increase rent by 80-120 EUR/month.
In your listings, explicitly mention the presence of an office, internet connection (fibre/cable) and the possibility of working from home. These are fast-growing search criteria on platforms.
Mixed-use clauses in the lease
When a tenant regularly works from home, the question of mixed use (residential + professional activity) arises:
Points to clarify in the lease:
- Is professional use authorised (and in what proportion)?
- Are additional charges (electricity, internet, daytime heating) covered?
- Should the fire insurance cover professional activity?
- Does local planning permit mixed use?
In practice, salaried remote work (no client reception, no stock) does not require any change to the primary residence lease. However, a self-employed person who receives clients at home must check compatibility with the lease and the co-ownership regulations.
The lease agreement can include a mixed-use clause to cover these situations.
Impact on rents by area
Remote work is creating a dual effect on rents:
Reduced pressure in Brussels:
- Demand for studios and small flats near offices is declining
- Rents for small Brussels units are stagnating (+0.5% in 2025)
- Offices are being converted into housing (additional supply)
Increases on the outskirts:
- Houses and large flats in Walloon/Flemish Brabant are in high demand
- Rents there are rising by 3-4% per year (above indexation)
- Medium-sized Walloon towns (Namur, Wavre, Ottignies) benefit from an influx of Brussels-based remote workers
This rebalancing is gradual but lasting. For investors, it changes the optimal investment zones. Our city comparison incorporates these new dynamics.
Opportunities for landlords
Remote work creates concrete opportunities:
- Fit out an office space in existing properties (low investment, high rent impact)
- Target remote workers in listings (mention fibre, office, quiet)
- Invest on the outskirts: better yield, rising demand
- Offer flexible leases: remote workers are often mobile; a short-term lease can attract premium profiles
- Consider coliving with coworking space: a strong trend in Brussels and university towns
Co-living and coworking is an emerging format that directly meets the demand of remote workers. And our rental management tool makes it easier to manage properties spread across multiple areas.
Frequently asked questions
-
Not overall, but Brussels rent growth is slowing (+1.8% vs +2.4% in Wallonia). Demand is shifting to the outskirts and medium-sized towns, but Brussels remains attractive for young professionals and expats.
-
Not mandatory, but recommended. If the tenant regularly carries out professional activity from home, a mixed-use clause clarifies rights and obligations (insurance, charges, planning).
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Yes. Listings mentioning a dedicated office or workspace rent for an average of 12% more than comparable properties without this feature. It is an increasingly sought-after criterion among tenants.
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