STIB-MIVB Public Transport in Brussels: Metro, Tram, Bus & Passes Explained

Brussels has one of Europe's densest urban transit networks — four metro lines, an expanding tram system, and over 50 bus routes — all operated by STIB-MIVB (Société des Transports Intercommunaux de Bruxelles). As a new expat, navigating it is straightforward once you understand the fare products, the MOBIB card, and how STIB connects with Belgium's two regional operators.

The network at a glance

STIB-MIVB runs the Brussels-Capital Region's urban transport:

• Metro — 4 lines (1, 2, 5, 6) covering 69 stations. Lines 1 and 5 share track through the city centre, as do 2 and 6. Trains run every 2–5 minutes at peak and about every 10 minutes evenings and weekends. Last trains leave terminal stations around midnight (slightly later on Friday and Saturday nights).
• Tram — 17 lines, including surface routes and the pre-metro tunnels under the city centre. Trams are the backbone of east-west travel and serve communes not reached by metro.
• Bus — 50+ lines filling gaps between tram and metro, plus night bus routes (Noctis) running Friday and Saturday nights until 3 AM.

All three modes share the same tickets and passes — a valid STIB product works on any STIB metro, tram or bus.

MOBIB: the transit smart card

Belgium's public transport smart card is called MOBIB. There are two versions:

Personalised MOBIB (recommended for expats)

• Linked to your name, photo and national register number
• Required for season passes and reduced-fare products
• Costs €5, valid for 5 years
• Get one at any STIB Bootik counter (bring your Belgian ID card or Annexe/Attestation d'Immatriculation)
• Main Bootik locations: Porte de Namur, Rogier, Midi, De Brouckère

Anonymous MOBIB

• No ID required, available at machines and Bootik
• Can load single rides and multi-ride bundles only (no season passes)
• Costs €5
• Useful for visitors or if you have not yet received your residence card

You can also skip MOBIB entirely and tap a contactless Visa, Mastercard or mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay) at any validator for a single ride at €2.40.

Fare products and passes

Reduced fares are available for under-25s, over-65s, and people with a BIM status (low income) — typically 50 percent off or free, depending on the category. You must have a personalised MOBIB to load reduced products.

Employer reimbursement: Under Belgian law, employers must partially reimburse your commuting costs. If you use STIB or SNCB, your employer covers a percentage — often 80–100 percent for train passes and a minimum of around 71.8 percent for STIB subscriptions. Ask your HR department; they will need a copy of your season pass receipt.

Connections beyond STIB

Brussels sits at the junction of three regional transport operators:

De Lijn (Flemish region) — Yellow and blue buses and trams serving Flanders. Some De Lijn lines terminate inside Brussels (for example, the Lijn 1 tram to Groot-Bijgaarden). A STIB ticket does not work on De Lijn unless you have a Brupass product.

TEC (Walloon region) — Red buses connecting Brussels to Wallonia. Again, a separate ticket unless you hold Brupass.

SNCB / NMBS (Belgian Rail) — Belgium's national railway connects Brussels' three main stations (Bruxelles-Midi, Bruxelles-Central, Bruxelles-Nord) to the rest of the country and international routes (Thalys/Eurostar, ICE). A SNCB ticket includes a free STIB transfer within Brussels — a valuable perk if you commute by train.

Getting around by bike

Brussels has invested in cycling infrastructure over the past five years, though it remains a mixed experience depending on the commune:

• Villo! — Brussels' docked bike-sharing system. Annual subscription around €35; first 30 minutes of each ride free. Stations throughout the city centre and inner communes.
• Bike lanes — Major routes along Avenue Louise, Rue de la Loi, and the canal have protected lanes. Some communes (Ixelles, Saint-Gilles) still have gaps.
• Electric scooters — Lime, Dott and Bolt operate in Brussels. Rides start at €1 plus €0.20–0.30 per minute. Parking is restricted to designated zones since 2023.

If you cycle daily, get bike insurance — theft rates are high, especially for e-bikes. Many home insurance policies (assurance habitation) include a bicycle clause, but check the coverage limit.

Night transport

STIB's regular service stops around midnight. After that:

• Noctis night buses run Friday and Saturday nights only, midnight to 3 AM, from De Brouckère hub to suburbs. 11 routes covering most communes.
• Taxis — Official Brussels taxis are recognisable by the roof light. Use the Taxi.brussels or Uber app. Fares start at about €2.40 plus €1.80 per km.
• E-scooters are available 24/7 but less practical for long distances or after drinks.

On weeknights (Sunday–Thursday), there is no public transport after midnight. Plan accordingly or use a taxi.

Practical tips for new expats

1. Get your MOBIB card in week one. Even before your commune registration is complete, you can get an anonymous MOBIB at a machine and upgrade to personalised later. Do not wait — the contactless tap fare adds up fast.

2. Load a monthly pass by the first of the month. Move Unlimited runs per calendar month, not 30 days from activation. If you activate mid-month, you pay the full month but get fewer days. STIB does not prorate.

3. Validate every time. Inspectors (contrôleurs) board metro, trams and buses regularly. Fines start at €107 for riding without a validated ticket, even if you have a pass but forgot to tap. The pass must be tapped at the start of each journey.

4. Use the STIB app. The official STIB-MIVB app shows real-time arrivals, route planning, and disruption alerts. It also lets you buy single tickets directly (no MOBIB needed).

5. Consider Brupass if you live near a regional border. Many expats in Uccle, Watermael-Boitsfort or Woluwe live close to Flemish communes served by De Lijn. A Brupass saves you buying two separate subscriptions.

6. Trains are part of your toolkit. For commuting to Leuven, Ghent, Antwerp or Namur, a SNCB subscription combined with the included STIB transfer is usually cheaper and faster than driving.

Brussels transit is reliable, affordable and — once you figure out the MOBIB system and which pass suits your commute — genuinely easy to use. Most expats stop thinking about it within a month.