Hasselt, Belgium 🇧🇪
#1616
,
Nomad Score:
60%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Hasselt is the capital of the Belgian province of Limburg, known for its stylish streets and vibrant city life. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 77,000 residents. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speeds of around 100 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD; Major banks include KBC and BNP Paribas Fortis. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and safe. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Proximus, Orange, and Base. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | KBC, Revolut, and TransferWise are popular options. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options available through Airbnb, local rentals, and real estate agencies. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely across venues. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local short-term rentals around the city center. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Het Molenbeek offers affordable lodging. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | The city center, near the shopping district and attractions. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Neighborhoods like Kuringen and the city center are popular for longer stays. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Koffice offers modern facilities and networking opportunities. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café Novel has good coffee and reliable Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Tech Meetups hosted regularly at the KBC Auditorium. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Events organized by Expats Hasselt on Meetup. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Bolt and Uber are commonly used in Hasselt. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bike sharing services like Donkey Republic are available. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Ostend Beach, approximately 1.5 hours by train. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Brussels Airlines operates regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | KLM and Lufthansa for international connections. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | E313 highway provides easy access to major cities. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Hasselt Station connects to the national rail network. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | De Lijn day passes and monthly cards are available. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains and buses connect Hasselt with nearby cities like Antwerp and Brussels. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg provides comprehensive healthcare services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Studio Hasselt offers a variety of classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit and JIMS are popular choices for working out. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Wasbar Hasselt offers laundry and café services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Deliveroo and UberEats provide food delivery services. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Hasselt Jenever is a must-try local spirit. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Veganista serves delicious plant-based meals. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Patisserie Boulangerie Cora for exquisite pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Local markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays offer fresh produce. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Bol.com is a popular online shopping site. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Albert Heijn and Carrefour offer grocery delivery. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Hasselt's city center offers vibrant nightlife with bars like Café De Witte and Taverne De Zwarte Ruiter. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Brouwerij Omer offers tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wijnbar De Nieuwe Wijn offers an extensive wine list. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street food options available at Park H, especially during events. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like Pizzeria Da Vinci offer international flavors. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Japanese Garden and the Fashion Museum are must-visits. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Fashion Museum Hasselt features contemporary and historical collections. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Jenever Museum explores the history of the local spirit. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Saint Quentin Cathedral is a notable landmark. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Hasselt Fashion Week takes place annually in September. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The City Center is vibrant with art galleries and shops. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Ethias Theater hosts a range of performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Held on the city square multiple times a week. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music can be found at various bars and venues around the city. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The city features a variety of murals and public art installations. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Culi-Cooking offers culinary courses focusing on local dishes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | M-HKA showcases contemporary art and frequently hosts events. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Town Hall is a beautiful example of local architecture. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Hasselt is known for its rich history in distilling Jenever. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Hasselt has several parks including the City Park for leisurely strolls. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Hoge Kempen National Park is about 30 minutes away, perfect for hiking. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The canal route offers scenic cycling and walking paths. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The top of the Japanese Garden provides beautiful views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Kempens Park is ideal for birdwatching enthusiasts. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas at parks like Kiewit Park allow for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Bpost provides reliable shipping and delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Proximus Shop offers device repair and maintenance services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Paddle sports center hosts ping pong tables. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | CVO offers Dutch language classes for expats. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Hasselt City Library is a great place to study and read. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | De Wijk provides various programs for residents and expats. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | GameHive offers a relaxed atmosphere for gaming. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Hasselt offers a variety of gaming options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €150,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €125,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €192,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,400 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €144,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €280,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,700 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €216,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | The standard corporate tax rate in Belgium is 25%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 30% is the tax rate applied to dividend distributions. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Belgian residents are taxed on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | The maximum personal income tax rate is 50%. |
| 🧾 VAT | The standard VAT rate is 21%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Belgium has strict rules for taxing foreign subsidiaries. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on cadastral income. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Around 10% standard rate, reduced to 6% for primary residences. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | 0% tax on worldwide income is available under specific conditions for non-residents. |