Antwerp, Belgium 🇧🇪
#987
,
Nomad Score:
65%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Antwerp, located in the Flanders region of Belgium, is known for its diamond district, rich history, and vibrant culture. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 520,000 residents. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 100 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.12 USD, no exchange fees at local ATMs. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and of high quality. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E/F sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Proximus, Orange, and BASE with good 4G coverage. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Banks such as KBC and ING are expat-friendly; Revolut widely accepted. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, Spotahome, and local real estate agencies. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely in shops and cafes. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and Booking.com have extensive listings. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Antwerp and Antwerp Central Youth Hostel are affordable options. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | The old town and the area around the Cathedral of Our Lady. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Areas like Zurenborg and the city center offer good amenities and coworking spaces. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Co.Station Antwerp, offering great facilities for remote workers. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café d'Anvers is a popular spot with good Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetups often hosted at venues like Bar Bricolage. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Groups on Facebook such as 'Antwerp Expats' provide social opportunities. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Bolt and Uber are widely used for on-demand rides. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Services like Donkey Republic offer easy bike rentals. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Blankenberge Beach, about 1.5 hours away by train. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Brussels Airlines for regional connections. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | KLM and Lufthansa for international flights. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | E19 and E34 highways provide quick access to nearby cities. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Antwerp Central Station is the main hub. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Single tickets and Go Pass for unlimited travel for young adults available. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains (SNCB) and buses (De Lijn) connect to nearby cities like Ghent and Brussels. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | ZNA Stuivenberg Hospital is a prominent healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | The Well offers yoga and wellness classes in the city. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit and JIMS are popular gym chains. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Wasbar provides laundry services with a café atmosphere. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Deliveroo and UberEats operate widely in Antwerp. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try the Antwerp hand, a traditional pastry. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Oak is highly rated for its vegetarian and vegan options. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Pierre Marcolini for exquisite chocolates and desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | The Vrijdagmarkt is known for its budget-friendly food stalls. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Bol.com and Coolblue provide robust online shopping options. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Collect&Go and Carrefour offer grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The area around Meir and Groenplaats is lively with bars. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Antwerp has several craft breweries, including Brouwerij Antwerps Bierhuis. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Oenostore offers a great selection of wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Visit the Food Truck Festival Antwerp for diverse options. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Korean BBQ at Han and Mediterranean dishes at Mezzaluna are favorites. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Visit the Cathedral of Our Lady and the Antwerp Zoo. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Royal Museum of Fine Arts and MAS (Museum aan de Stroom) are essential. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Rubenshuis is a historical site dedicated to artist Peter Paul Rubens. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Paul's Church is renowned for its baroque architecture. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Antwerp Pride and the Antwerp Beer Festival attract large crowds. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The South (Zuid) is known for its artistic vibe. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Toneelhuis offers a wide range of theatrical productions. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The Sunday market at Theaterplein is popular for local products. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music can be found at venues like Trix and Noorderhuis. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The streets of Antwerp have vibrant street art, notably in Zurenborg. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Antwerp also offers various culinary workshops for local cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Visit Z33 for contemporary art exhibitions. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Antwerp's Central Station is an architectural masterpiece. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The diamond trade is a significant part of Antwerp's heritage. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Kalmthoutse Heide nature reserve is a scenic spot nearby. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Hoge Kempen National Park is the closest national park. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Cycling paths along the Scheldt river provide beautiful views. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The terrace in front of MAS offers stunning views over the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The Scheldt estuary is great for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas in parks like Park Spoor Noord allow bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Bpost offers reliable domestic and international shipping services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Places like Fixit can help with tech repairs. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Table Tennis Association Antwerp offers spots for players. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Antwerpen Language School provides various language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Central Library in the city center is a quiet place to study. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | De Roma is a community space with cultural events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gamescape is a local gaming venue. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Antwerp offers various gaming and entertainment options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,600 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €144,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,900 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €116,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €192,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €156,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,900 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €232,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,400 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €192,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | Standard corporate tax rate is 25%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 30% tax rate applied to dividend distributions. |
| 🏦 Tax System | The Belgian tax system operates on a worldwide income basis. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Maximum personal income tax rate is 50%. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard Value Added Tax rate is 21%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict rules apply. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property taxation is based on cadastral income. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 10% standard rate, reduced to 6% for primary residences. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Expat tax regime offers potential advantages for digital nomads. |