Base guide

U.S. Army Garrison Brussels

4 min read

  • 8 sections
  • 12 sources
On this page
  1. Before you arrive
  2. Housing: all private rentals
  3. Medical care
  4. Schools and child care
  5. Driving
  6. Pets
  7. Legal assistance
  8. The first two days

The Army’s Brussels community is part of U.S. Army Garrison Benelux, which MilitaryINSTALLATIONS lists as “USAG BENELUX-Brussels” and whose mission is to deliver “quality base support to enable readiness for NATO, USAREUR, and deployed elements of a globally responsive Army”, according to the MilitaryINSTALLATIONS page for USAG Benelux-Brussels. Facilities include the Sterrebeek Annex, home to the health clinic, child care and youth programs.

Before you arrive

The garrison page stresses requesting a sponsor through your gaining unit, because your assignment and category determine much of what applies to you. Service members enter Belgium with ID and orders, and the page highly recommends a tourist passport as well. Drivers over 18 must have a valid stateside license, and an International Driver’s License is highly recommended.

Before arriving, soldiers send a copy of their PCS orders, duty memo and common access card to the Central Processing Facility to get an in-processing checklist; civilian employees send their orders, per the Brussels check-in page. Everyone also completes an SF94 SHAPE ID card application.

Housing: all private rentals

“Brussels has no Army Family housing. As a result, all housing is private rental with the exception of general officer quarters. No waiting lists are maintained”, the Brussels government housing page says, and there is no accommodation for unaccompanied personnel either; most singles choose furnished apartments.

  • Report within 48 hours: it is mandatory to report to the Housing Services Office within 48 hours of arrival, per the Brussels temporary housing page; the overview says registering within 2 days is how you join the housing program.
  • Listings and leases: the Housing Services Office keeps pre-screened listings and gives a thorough briefing on Belgium’s rental laws, per the Brussels housing page. It recommends paying no deposit and signing no letter of intent without consulting the office.
  • What to expect: the page says most houses are 180 to 220 square meters with three to five bedrooms, rental prices are high, and apart from kitchen cabinets most houses have no closets or built-in furniture; the furnishings office lends items.
  • Temporary Lodging Allowance: it is not paid in advance, so bring funds for the first weeks. You must view at least seven dwellings in each 15-day period, and TLA is limited to 60 days without the garrison commander’s approval.

Housing in-processing: 011-32-2-280-9921 or DSN 314-597-9921. If your children will attend Brussels American School, the overview advises checking the school’s bus service area before choosing where to live.

Medical care

The U.S. Army Health Clinic SHAPE Brussels is at John F. Kennedylaan 12 in Sterrebeek, per the Brussels health care page, which also describes Belgium’s medical standards as very high. For emergencies in Belgium, call 112. The Military Police desk at USAG Benelux-Brussels is 02/280-9760, DSN 314-597-9760, per the Brussels emergency assistance page.

Schools and child care

Families can choose Brussels American School (K-12, DoDEA), local Belgian schools (tuition free) or local international schools, according to the Brussels education page.

The Child Development Center at the Sterrebeek Annex provides hourly care for children six weeks to five years old, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays, and the School Age Center, Building 80015, serves kindergarten through 5th grade, per the Brussels child care page.

Driving

Check your stateside license’s expiration before you travel, because some states make renewal from abroad difficult, per the Brussels motor vehicles page. Family members aged 16 and 17 with a stateside license must wait until 18 to drive a car in Europe. Liability insurance is mandatory, and in October 2026 the page put it at 400 to 1,000 euros a year. If you break down on a highway, put on your reflective vest and place the warning triangle 100 meters behind the car.

Pets

Register pets within two weeks of arrival at the Benelux Veterinary Treatment Facility on Chievres Air Base, per the Brussels pet shipping page. Belgium is in the EU, and the EU entry rules USDA APHIS lists for pets from the United States are in the Caserma Ederle guide. Pets travel at the owner’s expense.

Legal assistance comes from the Army’s Northern Law Center at SHAPE; in October 2026 there were no walk-in services in Brussels, per the Brussels legal assistance page. For an appointment, call DSN 423-4868 or 065-44-4868. The SHAPE claims office handles household goods and vehicle claims.

The first two days

Register with the Housing Services Office within 48 hours, bring enough money to cover lodging until TLA reimbursements arrive, and decide on a school before you sign a lease, because in Brussels your family will rent on the private market.

Sources

installations.militaryonesource.mil