Bruges, Belgium 🇧🇪
#989
,
Nomad Score:
61%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Bruges, located in the West Flanders region of Belgium, is known for its medieval architecture and canals. |
| 👥 Population | Approximate population of 118,000. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average speed of 100 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Proximus, Orange, and BASE. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Accepted payment options include KBC and Revolut. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local guesthouses, and hotels. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are accepted widely. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and Booking.com offer many options. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Uppelink and The Green House provide affordable lodging. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | City Center, near the Market Square and historical sites. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | The City Center and near the canals for a balance of work and leisure. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WAT-AT, located in the heart of Bruges, offers modern facilities. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Le Pain Quotidien has a cozy atmosphere ideal for remote work. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Monthly meetups at the Bruges Coworking community. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Bruges Expat Meetup group organizes regular social gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Taxi Brugge app is popular for local rides. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Oostende Bike Rental offers bikes and scooters for exploring. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Oostende Beach, about 20 minutes by train. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Brussels Airlines operates flights to several European destinations. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | KLM and Lufthansa provide international connections. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | E40 and E403 highways provide convenient connections. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Bruges Railway Station serves as the primary transport hub. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Go Pass for travel across Belgium, valid for several trips. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains (SNCB) and Buses (De Lijn) connect Bruges to nearby cities. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | AZ Sint-Jan Brugge is the main healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Bruges Yoga offers various classes for all levels. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit Bruges is a popular fitness option. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lava Laundry provides self-service and wash-and-fold services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Deliveroo and UberEats operate in Bruges. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Moules-frites (mussels with fries) is a must-try. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | De Karmeliet offers delicious vegetarian dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Chocolate shops like Chocolatier Dumon are famous for their sweets. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | The Markt has various budget-friendly food stalls. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Bol.com offers an extensive range of products. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Albert Heijn delivers groceries throughout Bruges. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The city center has vibrant bars like 't Zwart Huis. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Brouwerij De Halve Maan offers tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Dukes' Palace Wine Bar has a great selection. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Local markets often feature food stalls with various vendors. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Casa Vino serves a range of international dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Belfry of Bruges and the Basilica of the Holy Blood. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Groeningemuseum showcases Flemish masterpieces. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Markt and Burg Square are rich in history. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Sint-Salvatorskathedraal is a beautiful cathedral to visit. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Bruges Christmas Market in December is a highlight. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The historic city center is a UNESCO World Heritage site. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Stadsschouwburg is a prominent theater venue. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The Monday market at 't Zand is vibrant and diverse. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Bruges hosts various music festivals, especially during summer. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The city has several murals and art installations throughout. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Taste Bruges offers traditional Belgian cooking classes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galerie Verhaeghe showcases local artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Old Town is comprised of numerous medieval buildings. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Bruges' canals and cobblestone streets reflect its medieval past. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Uitkerkse Polder offers nature walks and birdwatching. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Zeeuws Vlaanderen is within an hour's drive, featuring nature trails. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The canalside pathways are perfect for cycling and walking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The Rozenhoedkaai offers picturesque views of the canals. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | De Zwarte Water is a popular spot for birdwatchers. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Blawekenspark allows bonfires in designated areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Bpost is reliable for both local and international shipping. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iRepair Brugge provides device repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Various local community centers offer table tennis facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | CIDAL offers Dutch language classes for expats. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Bruges Central Library is a quiet space for studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | De Panne offers cultural activities and workshops. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gaming Cafe Brugge is a popular spot for gamers. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The Casino in Oostende is a short train ride away. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €128,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €112,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,100 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €186,000) |
| 🏠 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 | 25% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 30% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Worldwide income basis for residents. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 50% |
| 🧾 VAT | 21% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict regulations. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual taxation based on cadastral income. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 10% standard rate, 6% for primary residence. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | 0% tax on worldwide income for freelancers living abroad. |