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Guide
Ghent, Belgium 🇧🇪
#988
,
Nomad Score:
66%
Essentials
🏙️ City | Ghent is a historical city located in East Flanders, Belgium, known for its medieval architecture and vibrant cultural scene. |
👥 Population | Approximately 260,000 |
💻 Internet Speed | Average speed is around 100 Mbps, with good Wi-Fi accessibility in cafes and coworking spaces. |
💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD; ATMs widely available, and major credit cards accepted. |
🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable; Ghent's tap water is of high quality and safe to drink. |
🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets commonly used. |
📶 SIM Card | Proximus and Orange are popular mobile providers, offering good prepaid options. |
💳 Banking for Expats | KBC and ING are expat-friendly banks with English-speaking services. |
🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, rental agencies, and long-term rentals through platforms like Spotahome. |
💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are accepted widely in shops and restaurants. |
🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb, Homelike, and Spotahome offer various short-term rental options. |
🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Uppelink is a popular budget lodging option with reasonable rates. |
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Historical center near Gravensteen castle and St. Bavo's Cathedral is recommended. |
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | City Center and the neighborhoods of Miljoenenbuurt and Sint-Amandsberg offer great amenities. |
Working and Networking
🏢 Best Coworking Space | Bar d'Office Ghent, a popular coworking space with a relaxed vibe. |
☕ Best Cafe for Work | OR Coffee is known for its excellent coffee and conducive working environment. |
💼 Networking Events | Meetups at De Krook offer great networking opportunities for professionals. |
🥂 Social Events for Expats | Join the Expats in Ghent Facebook Group for community events and meetups. |
Transportation
🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Bolt and Uber are available for on-demand transportation. |
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Rent bikes from De Fietsambassade Ghent or use Donkey Republic for scooters. |
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Ostend Beach is 50 minutes away by train. |
✈️ Top Regional Airline | Brussels Airlines serves regional and international flights. |
✈️ Top International Airline | KLM and Lufthansa are major carriers operating from nearby airports. |
🛣️ Highway Access | Easy access to E17 and E40 highways for regional travel. |
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Gent-Sint-Pieters Station is the primary transportation center for the city. |
🚍 Public Transport Passes | De Lijn offers day passes and monthly cards for local transit use. |
✈️ Regional Travel | Train (NMBS) and bus (De Lijn) services link Ghent to nearby cities. |
Health and Wellness
🏥 Best Hospital | UZ Gent University Hospital is the primary healthcare facility. |
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Places like Yoga-on-Call and Yoga Studio Ghent offer various classes. |
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit and JIMS have branches in Ghent for fitness enthusiasts. |
🧺 Laundry Services | Wasbar Ghent provides laundromat services with a café setting. |
Food and Drink
📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats, Deliveroo, and Takeaway.com operate in Ghent. |
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Waterzooi, a creamy chicken or fish stew, is a must-try. |
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Restaurants like Komkommertijd and Greenway cater to plant-based diets. |
🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Yuzu chocolates and Himschoot Bakery offer delightful sweet treats. |
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Vrijdagmarkt is known for its budget-friendly options and local products. |
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Bol.com and Coolblue are popular for online shopping. |
🛒 Grocery Delivery | HelloFresh and Albert Heijn provide grocery delivery services. |
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Overpoortstraat is the well-known nightlife district in Ghent. |
🍻 Local Brewery | Gruut Brewery offers tours and tastings of local beers. |
🍷 Wine Bars | ONA Wine Bar is favored for its extensive wine selection. |
🍲 Street Food Stalls | Pakhuis hosts various food stalls with local and international cuisines. |
🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Eetkaffee Multatuli offers a versatile international menu. |
Culture and Attractions
🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Key attractions include Gravensteen Castle, St. Bavo's Cathedral, and the Medieval Castle. |
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Cultural hotspots include S.M.A.K. and STAM. |
🏰 Historical Sites | Visit St. Nicholas' Church and the Belfry of Ghent for historical insight. |
🕍 Religious Sites | St. Bavo's Cathedral and St. Peter's Abbey are significant religious landmarks. |
🎉 Annual Events | Gentse Feesten is an annual cultural festival held in July. |
🎨 Cultural Districts | Patershol is a charming cultural neighborhood to explore. |
🎭 Theater Venues | NTGent and Capitole Gent are popular for live performances. |
🛍️ Local Markets | Visit Vrijdagmarkt for a vibrant market experience. |
🎼 Music Scene | Venues like Hot Club Gent and Charlatan host live music events. |
🎨 Street Art | Check out Werregarenstraatje, known for its vibrant graffiti street. |
🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | L'atelier de Mieke offers culinary classes in Ghent. |
👩🎨 Art Galleries | Independent galleries like A&Gallery and Croxhapox feature local artists. |
🕰️ Historic Buildings | Ghent City Hall showcases stunning architecture. |
🏴 Local Heritage | The Black lion flag, representing Flemish heritage, is a cultural symbol of the area. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen Nature Reserve offers a peaceful escape near the city. |
🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Hoge Kempen National Park is accessible for nature lovers. |
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Leie River Path and Blaarmeersen provide scenic routes for outdoor activities. |
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Graslei and Korenlei along the river offer picturesque views. |
🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen is also a popular birdwatching location. |
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated bonfire areas can be found at Blaarmeersen. |
Other Services and Amenities
📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Services like Bpost and DHL are reliable for shipping needs. |
🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Switch and Proximus Shop offer electronics repair services. |
🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Ping Pong Club Ghent is a social spot for enthusiasts. |
🧑🏫 Language Classes | Encora offers Dutch language classes for expats. |
📚 Libraries & Study Spots | De Krook main library is a great study space. |
🏘️ Community Centers | De Centrale hosts various cultural and community activities. |
🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gameswap Gent is popular among gaming enthusiasts. |
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Grand Casino Knokke offers a range of gaming options. |
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 | 25% corporate tax rate applies. |
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 30% rate for dividend distributions. |
🏦 Tax System | Belgium operates on a worldwide income basis for tax residents. |
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Maximum personal income tax rate is 50%. |
🧾 VAT | Standard VAT rate is 21%. |
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict rules are in place regarding foreign subsidiaries. |
🏠 Property Tax | Yes, property tax is based on cadastral income. |
🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 10% standard rate for property purchases; 6% for primary residence. |
💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | 0% tax on worldwide income is available for eligible digital nomads under specific conditions. |