Brussels, Belgium – The linguistic landscape of Brussels is rapidly evolving, with English emerging as a crucial bridge language in an increasingly diverse metropolis.
While the city remains officially bilingual in Dutch and French, the growing prevalence of English is sparking debates on whether it should be granted formal administrative status.
A long-term shift towards English as a common tongue has been observed in Brussels, as documented in the Vrije Universiteit Brussels’ (VUB) Language Barometer.
“English was initially spoken primarily by younger generations who learned it through school and media,” said VUB researcher Mathis Saeys. “Now, however, its use is expanding among older residents as well.”
While the number of native English speakers in Brussels remains low, the language has become a key tool for communication among both locals and expatriates.
“English is increasingly filling the gaps between Dutch, French, and other languages spoken in the city,” Saeys explained.
A Legal Dilemma
The surging use of English highlights a growing disconnect between linguistic realities and Belgium’s rigid language legislation.
The country’s language law, dating back to 1966, mandates Dutch and French as the official languages of Brussels’ administration.
However, with the latest barometer revealing that approximately 30% of Brussels residents are not native Dutch or French speakers, many experts argue that the law no longer aligns with the city’s demographics.
Philosopher Philippe Van Parijs believes the issue lies not in linguistic diversity itself, but in the lack of multilingualism within Brussels’ institutions.
“The principle that citizens have the right to be served in their own language made sense when Brussels was predominantly Dutch- and French-speaking. Today, that is no longer the case,” he told The Brussels Times.
Many non-native residents struggle with Dutch and French, making administrative tasks and public services challenging to navigate.
In response, some municipalities, such as Schaerbeek, have begun offering municipal services in English—an act that technically violates the existing law.
Growing Unofficial Recognition
Despite legal constraints, English is already making unofficial inroads into Brussels’ public administration.
Public transport operator STIB provides communication in English alongside the two official languages, while national tax platforms and city agencies increasingly incorporate English into their online services.
Outgoing Brussels Minister for Multilingualism Sven Gatz has repeatedly called for English to be recognized as an administrative language, but such a change would require federal approval.
“It is unlikely English will gain official status anytime soon,” Saeys acknowledged, “but its practical role as a common language will only continue to grow.”
Towards a Pragmatic Approach
Van Parijs argues that any language reform should not focus solely on English. With one in ten Brussels residents speaking neither Dutch, French, nor English, he suggests a more flexible, bottom-up approach.
“Why should some citizens have the right to be served in their language while others do not?” he questioned. He advocates for relaxing language rules to allow service providers and residents to communicate in any mutually understood language.
This approach is already in practice within Brussels’ police force, where officers are encouraged to learn and use additional languages, including Arabic and Spanish.
Van Parijs believes this type of incremental change will eventually pave the way for broader legislative reform.
For now, English continues its steady rise in Brussels, not by legal decree but through everyday necessity. Whether the law will eventually catch up with reality remains an open question.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
