Bruges, Belgium 🇧🇪
#989
51.208552, 3.226772
Nomad Score:
64%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Bruges, also known as 'Venice of the North', is a picturesque city in the northwest of Belgium. |
| 👥 Population | Approximate population is around 118,000. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 75 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD. Major banks include KBC and BNP Paribas Fortis. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Proximus, Orange, and BASE. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Popular expat-friendly banks include KBC and Revolut. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include hotels, hostels, and the Airbnb platform, with prices averaging around €70-€150 per night. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are widely accepted. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com offer numerous short-term rental options. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Gargamel offers beds starting at €25 per night. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Gandhi Cowork offers a vibrant atmosphere with competitive rates around €15 per day. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café Meulener offers free Wi-Fi and a cozy ambiance for remote work. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup groups such as 'Bruges Entrepreneurs' organize regular networking events. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Facebook groups like 'Expats in Bruges' provide community engagement opportunities. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber operates in Bruges, but local taxis are common. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Local shop 'Brugge Bike Rental' offers bikes starting from €10 per day. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Oostende Beach, approximately 15 km away, is ideal for day trips. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Brussels Airlines provides regional connections. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | KLM and Lufthansa operate major international routes. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | E40 and E403 highways are nearby for easy regional travel. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Bruges train station serves as the primary transit hub. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | De Lijn offers day and monthly passes for local travel. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains and buses connect Bruges to cities like Ghent and Antwerp; NMBS manages train services. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | AZ Sint-Jan Brugge-Oostende is the leading healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Bruges offers various yoga classes and wellness sessions. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit has a location in Bruges with competitive membership fees. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Wash & Go is a popular laundromat in the city. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Deliveroo and UberEats service the area. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try Flemish stew (stoofvlees) paired with fries. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | De Tastetocht has great vegetarian options. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Chocolatier Dumon offers exquisite Belgian chocolates. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Visit the Markt for local vendors and budget shopping. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Bol.com and Coolblue are popular online shopping platforms. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | HelloFresh operates in Bruges for meal kit delivery. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The area around 't Zwart Huis is known for nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Brewery De Halve Maan offers tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wine bar 'Wine at Home' is a cozy spot to enjoy local wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Visit the Markt for various street food options. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Try Eat Love Pizza for excellent Italian food. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Belfry of Bruges and the Basilica of the Holy Blood are must-visits. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Groeningemuseum showcases Flemish art. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Visit the Old Market Square and City Hall. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Holy Blood Basilica is a notable religious site. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Bruges Christmas Market in December draws many visitors. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The historic city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Stadsschouwburg Brugge hosts various performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Visit the weekly Markt on Wednesdays and Saturdays. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Check out local venues like 't Zwart Huis for live music. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Explore the streets for vibrant murals and graffiti. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Culinary school 'Kookstudio Pille' offers fun cooking classes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Halve Maan Brewery also features art exhibits. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The medieval architecture is iconic throughout the city. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Bruges is famous for its canals and medieval structures. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Coupure canal offers scenic walking paths. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Hoge Veluwe National Park is accessible by public transport. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Bike paths along the canals provide great recreational opportunities. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Visit the top of the Belfry for stunning city views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Beernem Nature Reserve is nearby for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | The beach at Oostende offers designated bonfire areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Bpost offers reliable parcel delivery and shipping. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Repair shop Smartfix caters to all tech needs. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | The local community center has ping pong facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | De Taalkantine offers language classes for expats. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The public library in Bruges is quiet and study-friendly. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Community Center De Brug is a hub for local activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | The Gaming Lounge Bruges features the latest video games. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino de Bruges offers gaming and entertainment. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €128,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €104,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €180,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,400 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €144,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €224,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €176,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | Standard corporate tax rate is 25%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | The dividend withholding tax rate is 30%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Belgium 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, Belgium has strict rules on CFCs. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property taxation is based on cadastral income. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 10% standard rate, with 6% for primary residences. |