Dusan Tadic's late strike salvaged a draw for Groningen, but the point was enough to confirm Eredivisie survival for visitors NAC Breda.
John Karelse's side headed into the game with a mathematical chance of suffering the drop, but an early effort from Edwin Luijckx set them on their way to making sure of safety.
Petter Andersson had the first chance for Groningen after 11 minutes when he fired over the bar, and just four minutes later Luijckx converted an Alex Schalk cross to put the visitors in front.
Groningen, who went into the game having secured just seven points from their last 14 Eredivisie games, responded with an effort from Tadic which was well saved by Jelle ten Rouwelaar.
Nourdin Boukhari shot over the bar as Brest sought to extend their lead in the 28th minute, then the same player set up Schalk who fired against the left-hand post from 10 yards.
Boukhari continued to threaten for Brest, lifting another shot just over the bar three minutes from the break, but Groningen responded early in the second period with Tadic rattling the post.
Groningen finally began to press in the last 20 minutes, first through Andersson who tried a left foot shot which sailed just wide of the target from 20 yards.
David Texeira and Hyun-Jun Suk combined to almost set up an equaliser for the hosts on 79 minutes, but the equaliser arrived in the 89th minute when Tadic fired home off the right-hand post.