Most people know Brussels for its impressive European Union institutions and grand boulevards—far fewer are aware of the growing insecurity in the city’s outer neighbourhoods, many of which have changed rapidly due to uncontrolled migration and the rise of parallel Muslim and Arabic communities.
While some EU workers feel shielded in wealthy districts like Ixelles or Uccle, others warn that life in Brussels is far from safe.
Emma, a Swedish mother, says she feels secure—but only because she stays within certain areas. August, a 28-year-old from Norway, admits he avoids “less secure parts of the city,” adding, “I have no reason to go there.”
But Clara, a French lobbyist, calls Brussels “very unsafe”, accusing many expats of living in denial:.
My husband travels through the whole city—he sees the insecurity. When my daughters grow older, we will likely move out for safety reasons.
Juliet, an Italian working for an EU institution, is even more blunt: “I’m afraid to go out at night. Sometimes I just stay home to avoid trouble.”
Behind the polished image of Europe’s political capital lies a city increasingly divided—safe for a privileged few, dangerous for many others.
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