Hasselt, Belgium 🇧🇪
#1616
50.930358, 5.336617
Nomad Score:
66%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Hasselt, a vibrant city in the Limburg province of Belgium, known for its rich history and culture. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 77,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed of 50 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Available providers: Proximus, Orange, and Telenet |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Popular banks include KBC, BNP Paribas Fortis, and Revolut |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include local rentals, Airbnb, and nearby hotels like Radisson Blu. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local property management services available |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel De Zilte Zoen offers affordable lodging. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | The District, a modern coworking space in the city center. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Mokafé offers a quiet space with good coffee and Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Monthly meetups at The House of Entrepreneurs. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Hasselt Expats Facebook Group organizes regular meetups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber operates in the area. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Available through Lime and local bike shops. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | The closest beach is Oostende Beach, approximately 1.5 hours away. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Brussels Airlines provides regional connections. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | KLM and Lufthansa operate flights from Brussels Airport. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Located near E313 and E314 highways. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Hasselt train station connects to major cities. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | De Lijn offers day passes and monthly cards for public transit. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains and buses operate regularly to nearby cities like Genk and Tongeren. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg (ZOL) - main hospital in Hasselt. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Studio Hasselt offers classes for all levels. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit and JIMS are popular fitness chains in the city. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Wash & Go offers convenient laundry services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Deliveroo and Uber Eats available in Hasselt. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try the Limburgse vlaai, a traditional pie. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Vegan restaurant De Crème Brûlée offers plant-based dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Yoghurt Barn serves delicious yogurt and desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Hasselt Market on Friday offers budget-friendly options. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Bol.com and Coolblue are popular online marketplaces. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Albert Heijn and Carrefour offer grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Kegelbaan and The Game Club are popular nightlife spots. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Visit the Brouwerij Corsendonk for local beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Wine Bar offers a selection of Belgian and international wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Visit the Hasselt Street Food Festival held annually. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like Eat Love Pizza serve diverse international dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Visit the Japanese Garden and St. Quentin Cathedral. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Z33 House for Contemporary Art offers innovative exhibits. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The old city center features historical buildings from the 16th century. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Historic churches like St. Quentin's and the Capuchin Church. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Annual Hasselt Carnival features parades and festivities. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The city center is rich in culture with art galleries and theaters. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Theater Hasselt provides a range of performances throughout the year. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Visit the weekly Thursday market for local goods. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | The Muziekodroom hosts concerts and local music events. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Hasselt features murals in various neighborhoods. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Local chefs offer Belgian cooking classes through the city’s culinary schools. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Various galleries like Kunsthal offer contemporary art exhibitions. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The old courthouse is a remarkable historic landmark. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The Hasselt statue represents the city’s rich crafts and heritage. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Hoge Kempen National Park is nearby for hiking and nature walks. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Hoge Kempen National Park, accessible within 20 minutes. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Multiple paths such as the Limburg Cycling Route surround the city. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Enjoy views from the Ter Dolen Castle’s grounds. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Bourgeois Park is great for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas in nearby parks allow bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Bpost offers reliable parcel services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local shops like Fixit provide device repairs. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Community centers offer table tennis facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language schools in the city provide Dutch and French classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Hasselt Public Library offers quiet study areas. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | De Maat offers cultural programs and community events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | The Geek Lounge is a spot for gamers to gather. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The Casino de Spa is the nearest casino for gaming entertainment. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,300 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €132,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €104,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €180,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €132,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €224,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €160,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 30% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 50% |
| 🧾 VAT | 21% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict rules are in place. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Based on cadastral income assessed annually. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 10% standard rate for property purchases. |