Antwerp, Belgium 🇧🇪
#987
51.245297, 4.382442
Nomad Score:
67%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Antwerp is a major city in Belgium and the capital of the province of Antwerp. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 530,000 residents. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 95 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR = 1.05 USD. Major banks include KBC, Belfius, and ING. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and of high quality. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Proximus, Orange, and Base with good coverage. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Banks like KBC and ING provide services catering to expats. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local rentals, and serviced apartments. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are accepted widely in shops and restaurants. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local services like Spotahome are popular. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Antwerp is a notable budget lodging option. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | The Birdhouse offers great facilities and networking opportunities. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Slow Coffee is a work-friendly cafe known for its ambiance. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Antwerp Startup Academy hosts regular meetups and networking events. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Antwerp Expats Facebook Group organizes regular community gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber operates in Antwerp for convenient ride-hailing. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Velo Antwerpen offers bike rentals throughout the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Oostende Beach is around 1 hour away by train. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Brussels Airlines operates regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Belgium is served by major carriers like KLM and Lufthansa. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | E19 and E34 highways provide excellent access to Brussels and beyond. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Antwerp Central Station is the main hub for trains and public transport. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | De Lijn offers day passes and monthly cards for public transport. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Train connections via NMBS are efficient for nearby cities. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Antwerp University Hospital is the primary healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yogashala offers a variety of yoga classes and wellness services. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit and Fitness Club Antwerp are popular for fitness enthusiasts. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Wash & Fold Antwerp provides convenient laundry services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and Deliveroo are popular for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try the Antwerp Hand, a traditional marzipan pastry. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Vegetarian restaurants like The Green Kitchen offer great options. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Pierre Marcolini is famous for its artisanal chocolates. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Visit the Mercado for affordable local groceries. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Coolblue and Bol.com are popular online shopping platforms. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | HelloFresh and online stores offer grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Thejan is a popular nightlife area with bars and clubs. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Antwerp offers breweries like De Koninck with brewery tours. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wine Palace offers a great selection of wines for tasting. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | The Meir has several food stalls and casual eateries. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurant Tinto serves excellent Spanish cuisine. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Cathedral of Our Lady and the Antwerp Zoo are must-see attractions. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Visit the Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) for art and history. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Plantin-Moretus Museum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Cathedral of Our Lady is a stunning example of Gothic architecture. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Antwerp Pride and the Antwerp Fashion Week are notable events. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Zuid district is known for its vibrant arts scene. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Antwerp's Bourla Theater hosts various performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The Sunday market at Theaterplein offers local crafts and foods. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | The Lotto Arena hosts international music acts throughout the year. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The area around the Meir features impressive street art. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Antwerp Cooking School offers classes for local cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Visit Z33 and other independent galleries for contemporary art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Royal Museum of Fine Arts showcases renowned collections. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The ‘Vlaamse Leeuw’ identity flag stands as a cultural symbol. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Kalmthoutse Heide offers scenic hiking and nature trails. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Hoge Kempen National Park is approximately 1 hour away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Scheldt River Path offers picturesque cycling routes. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The rooftop of the MAS museum offers great city views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Zwart Water Nature Reserve is ideal for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Lange Wapper Park has designated areas for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Bpost and DHL provide shipping and delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Switch offers comprehensive tech repair options. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Ping Pong Antwerp hosts table tennis games and tournaments. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Antwerp Language School offers Dutch and French classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Bibliotheek Antwerpen has various branches for reading and study. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | De Roma serves as a cultural and community hub. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gaming Lounge Antwerp features a variety of gaming setups. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The Casino Antwerpen offers gaming experiences and entertainment. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €140,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €112,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €192,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €150,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €240,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,300 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €184,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | Standard corporate tax rate is 25%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | Dividend distributions are subject to a 30% tax rate. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Maximum personal income tax rate is 50%. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard Value Added Tax rate is 21%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Strict regulations apply to foreign subsidiaries. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Based on cadastral income as per Flanders' annual property taxation. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 10% standard rate, reduced to 6% for primary residences. |