Ostend, Belgium 🇧🇪
#1714
51.225856, 2.919496
Nomad Score:
63%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Ostend, a Belgian coastal city in West Flanders, known for its beaches and maritime culture. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 70,000. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speeds are around 100 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.06 USD. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and safe. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Proximus, Orange, and Telenet offering good coverage. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | KBC and BNP Paribas Fortis are popular choices among expats. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from Airbnb to local rentals through websites like Immoweb. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are accepted widely. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and Wimdu are popular for short stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel De Zandpoort offers budget-friendly dorms. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Ostend Coworking, located in the city center, provides flexible desk spaces. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café de Loge offers a cozy atmosphere with free Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup groups and local business events can be found on platforms like Meetup.com. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | The Ostend Expats Facebook group hosts regular meet-ups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Bolt is the most commonly used ride-sharing app. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Ostend has various rental options, including BimBimBikes. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Oosteroever Beach, within walking distance from the city center. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Brussels Airlines connects Ostend to major European cities. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | KLM and Air France operate flights from nearby airports. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | E40 highway provides easy access to Ghent and Brussels. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Ostend Railway Station, providing connections to major cities. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | De Lijn offers day passes and monthly subscriptions. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains operated by NMBS connect to Bruges and Ghent. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | AZ Damiaan Hospital is the main healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Studio Mozaïk offers yoga and wellness classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit and Fitland are popular gym options. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Ostend Laundry offers multiple self-service laundromats. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and Deliveroo are widely used for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try the local delicacy, 'Ostend shrimp'. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | The Greenhouse is a well-rated vegan restaurant. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Patisserie De Jager serves delicious Belgian pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Place de la Gare hosts a weekly market with fresh produce. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Bol.com and Coolblue are popular online retailers. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Deliveroo and local supermarkets offer grocery delivery. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Oosteroever is known for its lively bars and nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Ostendsche Bieren brewery offers tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wijnbar de Vrienden offers a great selection of local wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | The Strandpromenade often hosts food trucks and stalls. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Noodle House serves popular Asian dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Royal Galleries and the iconic Church of Saint Peter and Paul. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Mu.ZEE is the main art museum showcasing Belgian artists. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Ostend Lighthouse is a historical symbol of the city. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Church of Saint Peter and Paul is a noteworthy religious site. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Ostend Film Festival held every September. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The city center is rich in cultural offerings. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Casino Kursaal hosts various performances and events. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The daily market offers fresh local products. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Various venues such as De Stokes are lively in the evening. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Various murals can be found around the city. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Classes are offered at the Ostend Cooking Academy. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galerie Gassel is a notable local gallery. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The historic seafront houses are iconic. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Ostend is known for its rich maritime history. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The nearby Westhoek Nature Reserve offers scenic views. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Hoge Kempen National Park is a 1.5-hour drive away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Coastal Cycling Path offers beautiful views along the shoreline. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The pier offers great sunset views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Birdwatching is popular in the nearby nature reserves. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas near the beach allow bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Bpost and DHL provide reliable shipping options. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local shops such as Mediamarkt offer tech repairs. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Community centers often host table tennis games. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Institut Jules Verne offers Dutch language classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Ostend Public Library provides study spaces. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centre de Jeunesse offers various community events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gamebusters is a popular gaming lounge. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Kursaal offers gaming and entertainment. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g. 40 m² = €120,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g. 40 m² = €100,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g. 60 m² = €168,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g. 60 m² = €132,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g. 80 m² = €200,000). |
| 🏡 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 | Worldwide income basis. |
| 📈 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. |