Federation of Notaries data shows 43.6% of Brussels buyers purchased property beyond the capital in 2025, driven by price gaps, greener surroundings and lower registration fees
Brussels, October 30, 2026 – The Europe Today: Property buyers in Wallonia and Flanders overwhelmingly remained within their own regions when purchasing real estate in 2025, while residents of Brussels were considerably more likely to buy outside the capital, according to figures released by the Federation of Notaries.
The data shows that 94.6% of buyers residing in Wallonia purchased property within their own region, while in Flanders the proportion was even higher at 96.5%. By contrast, 43.6% of Brussels residents bought property outside the Brussels-Capital Region.
The trend was most pronounced in the housing segment. Only 32% of Brussels residents who bought a house did so within the capital region, while 43% opted for Flanders and 25% for Wallonia.
According to the Federation of Notaries, average prices play a decisive role in these choices. The average property price stands at nearly €583,000 in Brussels, compared with €380,000 in Flanders and €270,000 in Wallonia. The federation added that access to greener surroundings and lower registration fees also influenced buyers’ decisions.
The pattern differs significantly for apartments, with 86% of Brussels residents purchasing a flat choosing to remain in the capital. Around 70% of dwellings in the Brussels-Capital Region are apartments and only 30% are houses, a reversal of the housing composition found in Flanders and Wallonia.
In terms of age, buyers aged 31 to 35 were the most likely to cross regional boundaries, accounting for 19% of all buyers who purchased a home outside their home region in 2025. They were followed by those aged 36 to 40 at 16% and those aged 26 to 30 at 15%. At the other end of the spectrum, buyers aged 18 to 25 and those aged 61 and above each represented only 5% of cross-regional purchasers.
The trend was particularly evident among Brussels residents. Of those from the capital who bought property outside its 19 municipalities, 26% of house buyers and 17% of apartment buyers were aged between 31 and 35.
Among the Flemish provinces, West Flanders recorded the strongest local attachment, with 91.2% of buyers purchasing a home within their own province.
