Ghent, Belgium 🇧🇪
#988
,
Nomad Score:
66%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
41%
Weight: 150
Ghent is moderately expensive compared to Eastern European cities but cheaper than Brussels or Antwerp; daily expenses are manageable but not low.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
38%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are on the higher side for a mid-sized European city, especially for central locations favored by nomads.
🍎 Food & Groceries
55%
Weight: 40
Groceries and dining out are moderately priced; local markets offer affordable fresh produce.
🚌 Transportation Cost
72%
Weight: 20
Public transport is efficient and affordable with good tram and bus networks; bike usage is common and inexpensive.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
50%
Weight: 15
Moderate prices for cultural events, cinemas, and nightlife; some venues offer student or discount nights.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
63%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are reasonably priced, with many options including budget chains and boutique studios.
💱 Currency Stability
98%
Weight: 30
Eurozone currency is very stable with low inflation and strong economic fundamentals.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
87%
Weight: 100
High-speed fiber internet widely available with average speeds around 100-200 Mbps.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
75%
Weight: 40
Several well-equipped coworking spaces in the city center catering to freelancers and startups.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
81%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi with comfortable seating, popular among remote workers.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
79%
Weight: 30
Good number of cafes with power outlets and quiet atmospheres suitable for working.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
54%
Weight: 100
Growing but still niche; more popular among European nomads than global crowd.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
87%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
86%
Weight: 30
Strong cultural emphasis on work-life balance with reasonable working hours and ample leisure options.
🌳 Environmental Quality
78%
Weight: 15
Clean urban environment with active sustainability initiatives and good waste management.
🧼 Cleanliness
79%
Weight: 10
Generally clean streets and public spaces, though some busy areas can get littered.
🗨️ Language Barrier
67%
Weight: 30
Dutch is primary language; English widely spoken especially among younger population and service industry.
💨 Air Quality
65%
Weight: 15
Moderate air quality; occasional pollution from traffic but generally acceptable for urban European standards.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
75%
Weight: 25
Good schools, parks, and family-oriented activities.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
93%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare system with modern facilities and well-trained professionals.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
60%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is good but can be costly without insurance; EU residents benefit from reciprocal agreements.
🏥 Healthcare
90%
Weight: 20
Comprehensive healthcare coverage and easy access to specialists and emergency services.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
32%
Weight: 80
Temperate oceanic climate with cool summers, cold winters, and frequent rain; limited sunshine.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
95%
Weight: 10
Very low risk of natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, or storms.
🏞️ Green Spaces
76%
Weight: 10
Numerous parks and green areas within the city, including the large Citadelpark.
❄️ Air Conditioning
40%
Weight: 15
Air conditioning is uncommon in residential buildings due to mild summers.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
68%
Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with mild summers and cold winters, but limited extreme temperature variation.
🔊 Noise Pollution
62%
Weight: 10
Moderate noise levels; city center can be noisy at night but residential areas are quieter.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
89%
Weight: 20
Rich medieval history, vibrant arts scene, festivals, and museums make Ghent culturally vibrant.
🌃 Nightlife
71%
Weight: 15
Active nightlife with bars, clubs, and live music venues, especially around the city center.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
69%
Weight: 15
Access to nearby countryside and waterways; good for cycling and walking.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
70%
Weight: 10
Several language schools and meetups for Dutch and French learners.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
78%
Weight: 10
Plenty of guided tours, historical walks, and cultural experiences available.
🎳 Indoors Fun
73%
Weight: 10
Museums, theaters, cinemas, and indoor markets provide entertainment options.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
82%
Weight: 25
Diverse culinary scene with Belgian specialties, international cuisine, and trendy cafes.
🧠 Yoga Studios
65%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios offering various styles, though not as abundant as in larger cities.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
70%
Weight: 15
Good range of gyms, fitness centers, and sports clubs.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
74%
Weight: 15
Organic markets and health-focused cafes are available but not widespread.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
85%
Weight: 20
Central European Time is favorable for working with most European and some American clients.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
68%
Weight: 25
Active startup and creative communities with regular meetups and events.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
59%
Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; most opportunities come from broader European or global companies.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
67%
Weight: 20
Growing freelance community supported by coworking spaces and networking events.
🏢 Coworking Quality
76%
Weight: 30
Modern coworking spaces with good amenities and professional atmospheres.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
65%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem with some accelerators and incubators but smaller than Brussels or Antwerp.
💳 Local Payment Services
79%
Weight: 10
Widespread use of contactless payments, mobile banking apps, and European payment standards.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
52%
Weight: 15
Moderate interest and adoption; some local meetups but not a major hub.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
63%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is Brussels Airport (~45 min away); local airport has limited flights.
🚇 Public Transit
78%
Weight: 20
Efficient tram and bus network with good coverage and frequency.
🚶 Walkability
84%
Weight: 20
Compact city center with pedestrian-friendly streets and easy access to amenities.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
65%
Weight: 15
Uber is not available; local alternatives and taxis fill the gap but less convenient.
🚲 Cycling
89%
Weight: 10
Excellent cycling infrastructure and culture; bikes are a primary mode of transport.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
77%
Weight: 15
Good train connections to major Belgian cities and neighboring countries.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
74%
Weight: 10
Bike-sharing schemes are available; electric scooter rentals are limited but growing.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
83%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G and growing 5G coverage throughout the city and surroundings.
🔒 VPN Reliability
90%
Weight: 20
Reliable internet infrastructure supports stable VPN connections.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
92%
Weight: 15
Stable and reliable electricity supply with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
68%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in some public spaces and libraries but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
55%
Weight: 40
Belgium has strict visa policies; Schengen visa required for non-EU nationals, no specific digital nomad visa.
📊 Tax Friendliness
42%
Weight: 30
Belgium has relatively high taxes and complex regulations for freelancers and remote workers.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
95%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
87%
Weight: 20
Stable political environment with well-functioning democratic institutions.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
60%
Weight: 15
Moderate bureaucracy; easier for EU citizens, more documentation required for others.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
58%
Weight: 10
Business registration is possible but involves several steps and paperwork.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa available in Belgium.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
64%
Weight: 50
Moderately friendly with good infrastructure but limited visa options and higher costs.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
59%
Weight: 25
Some meetups and events, mostly informal and smaller scale.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
63%
Weight: 20
Active but small online communities focused on Ghent and Belgium digital nomads.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
88%
Weight: 100
Generally safe city with low violent crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
85%
Weight: 50
Safe and welcoming environment for women; good gender equality.
✊ Racial Tolerance
70%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant but occasional issues reported; diverse population.