Leuven, Belgium 🇧🇪
#990
,
Nomad Score:
63%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Leuven, Flemish Brabant, Belgium |
| 👥 Population | approximately 100,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | average 100 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and of high quality |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Proximus, Orange, and BASE |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | KBC and ING are popular; Revolut accepted |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, RoomFox, and Spotahome |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Popular choices are Airbnb, Booking.com, and local hosts |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel De Zandpoort and Cube Hostel |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Old Market Square, known for vibrant nightlife |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Leuven City Center and Heverlee for proximity to coworking spaces |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Koo Hub and Co.Station Leuven |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café Montmartre and Caffe Cielo |
| 💼 Networking Events | Monthly meetups organized by Leuven Startup Community |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Expats Leuven community meetups on Facebook |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Bolt and Uber available in Leuven |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Lime scooters and local bike rental shops like Fietspunt |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Ostend Beach, approximately 1.5 hours by train |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Brussels Airlines operates from Brussels Airport |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | KLM, Lufthansa, and Ryanair from Brussels Airport |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | E40 and E314 highways nearby |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Leuven Railway Station connects to Brussels and beyond |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | De Lijn day pass and monthly cards available |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Train (S train services) and bus (De Lijn) provide extensive connections |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | University Hospitals Leuven |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga & Mindfulness Leuven |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit Leuven and Fitness First |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Wasbar Leuven and Laundromat Leuven |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Deliveroo, Takeaway.com, and UberEats |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Bucatinis alla Norma and Flemish Stew |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Vegetarian restaurant De Werf and Lovefood |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Patisserie Meert and Gelato Memories |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Leuven Saturday Market and local grocery stores |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Bol.com and Coolblue available for deliveries |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Deliveroo has grocery delivery options, and Albert Heijn also offers online shopping |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Old Market Square, known as the 'longest bar in the world' |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Domus Brewery offers tours and tastings |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Leuven's Wijnhuis offers a curated selection |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street food markets organized on weekends |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like Thai Leuven and Wok & Roll |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | University Library and Ladeuzeplein |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | M Museum and The Beguinage |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Old Market Square and Town Hall |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Peter's Church |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Leuven Beer Weekend and the Leuven Kite Festival |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Old Town and the university area |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Stuk Arts Centre for performing arts |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Leuven Saturday Market at Oude Markt |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music at Café Belge and 2manydjs events |
| 🎨 Street Art | Various murals around the university area and streets |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Leuven Cooking School offers hands-on classes |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Nucleo Gallery and Alpha Gallery |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The M Museum is also a historic site |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Leuven's rich brewing history and traditions |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Heverlee Forest and Park, easily accessible by bike or public transport |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Hoge Kempen National Park, about 1 hour away by train |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Routes along the Dijle River and various forest trails |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | View from the university library tower |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Kessel-Lo nature reserve |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Blaarmeersen recreational area has designated bonfire spots |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Bpost and DHL services available locally |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local shops like iFix and MediaMarkt for repairs |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Ping Pong Club Leuven |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Local options include CVO Leuven for Dutch classes |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | City Library Leuven and University Library for study |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | De Werf and local cultural centers for events |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Local gaming cafes such as The LevelUp Cafe |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Knokke, though it's a bit of a trip away |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €128,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €104,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,400 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €204,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €168,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,100 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €248,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,450 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €196,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 30% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Worldwide income basis for residents |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 50% |
| 🧾 VAT | 21% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict rules apply |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on cadastral income |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 10% standard rate; 6% for primary residence |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | 0% tax on worldwide income if certain conditions are met |