De Haan, Belgium 🇧🇪
#2158
,
Nomad Score:
57%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | De Haan, located in West Flanders, Belgium, is a picturesque coastal resort town known for its serene beaches and green surroundings. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 12,000 residents. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed of 50 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD; ATMs widely available, and major banks include KBC and ING. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and high quality. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Proximus, Orange, and Base offer pre-paid and contract SIM cards. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Many banks accept international accounts; services like Revolut are popular. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Varied options including hotels, guesthouses, and beach rentals; average price for a one-bedroom apartment is €750/month. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, contactless payments are widely accepted. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local rentals available, with prices starting at €60/night. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel De Haan offers dormitory beds starting at €25/night. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | The beachfront area near the Promenade is popular among tourists. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Residential neighborhoods such as Wenduine are quieter and have good coworking options. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | CoWork De Haan, offering flexible workspaces starting at €25/day. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Caramel Café, known for its good coffee and reliable Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Monthly Meetups for Expats at De Haan Community Center. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Various local initiatives on Facebook for expat networking. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Taxi De Haan and local options like Uber are available. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | De Haan bikes offer rentals; prices from €10/day. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | De Haan Beach, accessible within minutes by walking. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Brussels Airlines serves major routes from nearby airports. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | KLM and Lufthansa for intercontinental flights from Brussels Airport. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | E40 and E403 highways connect De Haan to major cities. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Oostende Railway Station is the nearest major station, about 15 km away. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | De Lijn offers a monthly pass for €50 covering local buses. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses and trains connect De Haan with nearby cities like Bruges and Oostende. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | AZ Damiaan Hospital, located in Oostende, offers comprehensive medical services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Zen & the Art of Yoga – various classes available. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit De Haan offers memberships starting at €19.99/month. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lava-Laundry offers self-service laundromats. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Deliveroo and JustEat provide local food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Sample 'Waterzooi', a classic Belgian stew. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Vegetarian options available at De Haan's local eateries like Green Spot. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | De Haan Patisserie is famous for its 'speculoos' cookies. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Local farmers' markets held weekly provide fresh produce at good prices. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Local shops have online options; Bol.com is widely used in Belgium. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Albert Heijn offers grocery delivery services to De Haan. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The beachfront area is lively with bars and live music. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Brouwerij De Halve Maan in Bruges is a historic local brewery. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wine bar Finesse offers a great selection of wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Food trucks along the beach during summer offer local delights. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like 'Pasta Boutique' serve Italian food. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Windmill of De Haan and the nature reserve at Het Zoute. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The local museum showcases the history of the area. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Visit the Historic Villa’s from the early 20th century along the beachfront. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Sint-Bernardus Church is a local landmark. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The De Haan Beach Festival is held every summer. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The coastal promenade is lively and offers local art displays. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Local theater performances often held at the culture center. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Weekly market at the town square every Wednesday. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Local bars often feature live music and events. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Occasional street art festivals showcase local talent. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Local culinary schools offer courses focusing on Flemish cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Local exhibitions at nearby galleries showcase regional artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Historic homes along the coast are notable; some are century old. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | De Haan celebrates its beach culture and maritime heritage. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Zonien Forest provides hiking trails and scenic beauty. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Hoge Kempen National Park is a 1.5-hour drive away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Dedicated cycling paths along the beach promenade. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The view from the dunes is breathtaking during sunset. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Nearby nature reserves are hotspots for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas on the beach for safe bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Bpost and DHL offer reliable parcel services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local shops in Ostend provide tech repair and services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Community centers may organize ping pong tournaments. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Local language schools offer Dutch classes for expats. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The De Haan public library offers study spaces and Wi-Fi. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Cultural events often take place at De Haan Community Center. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Occasional gaming events held in local cafes. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Nearby Oostende has a casino for entertainment. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,900 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €116,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €88,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €180,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,700 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €162,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €224,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €200,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25% corporate tax rate. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 30% on dividends. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Belgium uses a worldwide income basis for taxation. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Maximum personal income tax rate is 50%. |
| 🧾 VAT | 21% standard VAT rate. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict rules apply. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on cadastral income. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 10% standard rate, reduced to 6% for primary residence. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | 0% tax on worldwide income for non-residents, making it appealing for digital nomads. |