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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. |