Brussels, Belgium 🇧🇪
#986
,
Nomad Score:
65%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
32%
Weight: 150
Brussels is relatively expensive compared to many cities, especially for dining and entertainment, reflecting its status as a major European capital.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
28%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are high, particularly in central areas favored by expats and nomads.
🍎 Food & Groceries
41%
Weight: 40
Groceries are moderately priced, but eating out can be costly, especially in tourist-heavy zones.
🚌 Transportation Cost
65%
Weight: 20
Public transport is efficient and reasonably priced with monthly passes available.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
35%
Weight: 15
Cultural events and nightlife tend to be on the pricier side.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
57%
Weight: 10
Average gym memberships cost moderately, with many options available.
💱 Currency Stability
98%
Weight: 30
Euro is a very stable currency backed by the EU.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
87%
Weight: 100
High-speed fiber internet is widely available with reliable connections.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
83%
Weight: 40
Numerous coworking spaces catering to digital nomads and startups.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
79%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, though quality varies.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
71%
Weight: 30
Several cafes are popular among nomads, but not as widespread as in some other European cities.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
64%
Weight: 100
Growing but still moderate digital nomad community.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
78%
Weight: 30
Good balance with strong labor laws and cultural emphasis on leisure.
🌳 Environmental Quality
62%
Weight: 15
Urban pollution is moderate; efforts to improve green spaces ongoing.
🧼 Cleanliness
67%
Weight: 10
Generally clean but some areas can be less maintained.
🗨️ Language Barrier
75%
Weight: 30
English widely spoken, but French and Dutch are official languages.
💨 Air Quality
54%
Weight: 15
Air pollution can be an issue due to traffic and industry.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
91%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare system with excellent facilities.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
73%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is affordable with insurance, but out-of-pocket costs can be high without it.
🏥 Healthcare
87%
Weight: 20
Comprehensive healthcare services accessible to residents and long-term visitors.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
31%
Weight: 80
Cool and rainy climate with limited sunshine, especially in winter.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
95%
Weight: 10
Very low risk of natural disasters.
🏞️ Green Spaces
74%
Weight: 10
Several parks and green areas within the city.
❄️ Air Conditioning
42%
Weight: 15
Not common in many buildings due to mild summers.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
63%
Weight: 10
Four distinct seasons, though winters are often gray and wet.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
89%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with museums, festivals, and historic sites.
🌃 Nightlife
70%
Weight: 15
Vibrant nightlife with many bars and clubs, though not as intense as larger cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
60%
Weight: 15
Limited natural surroundings within city limits but accessible countryside nearby.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
78%
Weight: 10
Many language schools and cultural exchange programs available.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
76%
Weight: 10
Good variety of tours and local experiences focusing on history and gastronomy.
🎳 Indoors Fun
72%
Weight: 10
Museums, theaters, and indoor activities are plentiful.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
81%
Weight: 25
Diverse and high-quality food options including Belgian specialties.
🧠 Yoga Studios
68%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios available, though not as numerous as in some other European cities.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
70%
Weight: 15
Good range of gyms and fitness centers.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
75%
Weight: 15
Organic and health-focused food stores and restaurants are common.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
84%
Weight: 20
Central European Time is convenient for working with most European and some American clients.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
79%
Weight: 25
Strong professional and expat networking events.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
65%
Weight: 20
Moderate availability; more opportunities in tech and EU institutions.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
71%
Weight: 20
Growing freelance community supported by coworking spaces and events.
🏢 Coworking Quality
84%
Weight: 30
High-quality coworking spaces with modern amenities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
73%
Weight: 15
Active startup ecosystem, especially in tech and green industries.
💳 Local Payment Services
80%
Weight: 10
Widespread use of contactless payments and mobile banking.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
62%
Weight: 15
Moderate adoption; regulatory environment is cautious but evolving.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
78%
Weight: 30
Brussels Airport offers good international connections.
🚇 Public Transit
86%
Weight: 20
Efficient metro, tram, and bus network covering the city well.
🚶 Walkability
79%
Weight: 20
City center is very walkable with pedestrian-friendly streets.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
70%
Weight: 15
Uber and local ride-sharing options available but less dominant than in other cities.
🚲 Cycling
67%
Weight: 10
Cycling infrastructure improving but still limited in some areas.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
89%
Weight: 15
Excellent train connections to major European cities.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
65%
Weight: 10
Electric scooter and bike rentals available but not widespread.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
83%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G and growing 5G coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
90%
Weight: 20
Reliable internet infrastructure supports stable VPN connections.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
94%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable power supply with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
68%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in many public spaces but can be inconsistent.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
55%
Weight: 40
Schengen visa required for many; no specific digital nomad visa yet.
📊 Tax Friendliness
43%
Weight: 30
Belgium has relatively high taxes, which can be a downside for freelancers.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
97%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech.
🏛️ Political Stability
85%
Weight: 20
Stable political environment despite occasional regional tensions.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
60%
Weight: 15
Can be bureaucratic and requires proof of residence.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
68%
Weight: 10
Moderately straightforward but involves some paperwork and fees.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa currently available.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
69%
Weight: 50
Moderately friendly with good infrastructure but visa and cost issues.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
62%
Weight: 25
Some meetups and events, but not as frequent as in larger nomad hubs.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
67%
Weight: 20
Active online groups but smaller community compared to top nomad cities.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
83%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with low violent crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
80%
Weight: 50
Safe and inclusive environment for women travelers.
✊ Racial Tolerance
74%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant but occasional issues reported; diverse population.